Tofino B.C. Fishing Regulations 2008
Under normal circumstances, most anglers require the ability to adapt their approach to fishing certain waters at certain times. The need for a diversified fishing approach can be due to a wide variety of reasons, with species, seasons, areas and fish stocks dictating the need for flexibility.
For the 2008 Sports fishing season on Vancouver Island's west coast, there are some changes to fishing regulations and opportunities for most areas of the coastline, with the following details specific to the Inshore (area 24) and Offshore (area 1-24) marine areas of Tofino/Clayoquot Sound. With an overall good fishing forecast for the season, these regulation changes are minimal compared to the great opportunities still ahead.
Chinook Salmon A slower than normal start to the Tofino area Chinook fishing is now a distant memory, as the fishing and average sizes of Chinook Salmon has turned for the better. Regardless of an aggressively conservative inshore recreational Chinook fishery, and special regulations for the past 7 years to protect 4-5 year old mature Chinook in Clayoquot Sound, the escapement numbers to local spawning rivers has continued to decline. Though these local Chinook Stocks contribute an extremely small percentage of the overall catch for Tofino area salmon anglers, further restrictions have been implemented to protect returning mature Chinook to WCVI rivers. Starting July 15th north of Tofino, and locally starting August 1st, the inshore area of Tofino/Clayoquot Sound, and out to the 1 mile surf-line boundary, all Chinook over 77cm must be released. This same area is still open for retention of Chinook salmon under 77cm, which are most likely to be non spawning 3 year old Chinook up to approx. 16 lbs. Approximately 96% of Chinook Salmon over 77cm are 4 or 5 year old fish that are this year's mature spawning Salmon. The main difference to this year's regulation changes is for the non retention of
