The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC would like to remind all anglers to respect the rules when enjoying BC’s lakes and rivers this year.
“We are investing some funds in the River Guardians program as well as with the Conservation Officers Service,” says spokesperson Stacy Webb. “They are specifically doing some additional compliance monitoring this spring and summer on priority waterways around BC.”
The priority waterways were determined by the society, in consultation with the Conservation Office and BC biologists.
“They identified some water bodies that they either suspect that there might be non-compliance issues with or quality waters where there’s higher conservation concerns such as steelhead rivers.”
Webb says the River Guardians will be providing support to the conservation officers.
“They’re more as a checking for licenses and helping anglers understand rules and regulations as well.”
Conservation officers will be stepping up the number of enforcement patrols they conduct.
Last year, more than 4,000 compliance checks were conducted and nearly 600 warnings and charges were issued.
Anyone over the age of 15 must have a valid freshwater fishing license before casting a line. You can get yours at your local tackle shop, online or from a government agent.
For more information, visit gofishbc.com.
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