The Ethical Angle to Sport Fishing in B.C.

Catch and Release Tips

  • Use tackle appropriate for the size and strength of the fish being angled for and play fish as quickly as possible.
  • A fish out of water is suffocating and can suffer permanent damage: leave fish in the water as much as possible.
  • Use soft, knotless nets or, better yet, no net at all. If the fish must be handled, wetted bare hands under its belly, the other at the tail.
  • Needle-nose pliers or hemostats are valuable tools for effective hook removal. Never force a hook out. If the fish is deeply hooked, or the hook can't easily be removed, leave it in the fish to rust away.
  • To release fish, hold upright in the water, or point it into the current. Gently move the fish back and forth until its gills are functioning normally and it maintains balance. Once the fish recovers adequately, allow it to swim from your hands.

The Do and Don't of Lake Fishing
By Glen Gerbandt, Osprey Flyfishers of BC

  • Do not motor up onto a shoal-cut the motor well short of the shoal and either drift or row-in.

  • Do leave at least 200 feet between boats-this allows each angler to cast 100 feet in any direction without tangling lines.

  • Do not motor, or row directly through moving fish-anchor on the periphery and cast into them.

  • Do show others your fellow angler some courtesy, often one will be rewarded for the consideration with helpful advice.

  • Do help others when you're having success and they are not-there will be days when the reverse is true.

  • Do not cut in between an angler ( who is working the shallows ) and the shoreline.

  • Do keep noise to a minimum-ships oars and deploy anchors quietly.

  • Do not carry on loud conversations.

  • Do not tie-up a launch site if others are waiting.

Rotational Angling

      The Basic Rules are:

  • Avoid entering the water downstream of another angler who is already fishing, unless invited to do so.

  • Leave adequate room between the angler and yourself, but do not remain stationary unless no one is following you.

  • After catching a fish, step out of the line and return to the head of the pool, or start of the line.

  • If you are not sure about local etiquette, avoid problems by first inquiring about procedures from anglers already on the water.

Code of Conduct
For Recreational Fishing in B.C.

Responsible anglers respect the environment.
As ethical anglers:

  • We do not spill or dump gasoline, oil, or other pollutants on land or into the water.

  • When fishing, we never leave trash behind, including worn or discarded line, old hooks and bait.

  • We leave our fishing our fishing site as clean or cleaner than we found it.

  • We report environmental damage and pollution to the relevant authorities.

  • When boating or anchoring, we take care to avoid damaging sensitive areas.

  • We do our best to prevent the spread of exotic plants and animals.

  • We never use, as live  bait, fish that do not normally reside in the waters we are fishing, nor do we introduce exotic species that may survive and reproduce into fishing waters. (Tidal waters ONLY)

  • We use only legal tackle, attend to our gear and value our catch.

  • We keep no more fish than needed for consumption and legally allowed and we never wastefully discard fish that are retained.

  • We practice conservation and use proper release methods for fish not retained.

  • We use tackle and techniques that avoid the capture of, or minimize the harm to, unwanted fish or fish prohibited from retention.

  • We learn and comply with all angling regulations.

  • We report any illegal fishing activities we observe to the proper authorities.

  • We treat other anglers, boaters and other people we might meet in the field with courtesy and respect.

  • We obtain permission from landowners and never trespass on private lands or waters.

  • We respect the space of other anglers when fishing from the shore or in a boat and give room to all anglers playing a fish.

  • We observe all operator and safety regulations.

  • We watch our speed and our wash and  keep a safe distance from shore-based anglers, jetties and other boats.

  • We promote ethical behavior in the use of aquatic resources through education and example.

  • We maintain and promote public awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding responsible fishing.

  • We promote public awareness of the measures taken by anglers to conserve the resources and protect the environment.

BC Federation of Fly Fishers 
For more information go to: www.bcfff.bc.ca