2026 Comox Valley-Comox Harbour, Kitty Coleman, Cape Lazo, Denman & Hornby Islands

Agree that C&B was productive this past weekend. On sunday, two keeper chinook, one of which was a white. Large blue/green spoons skimming the bottom, as deep as I could reasonably go (250'). I only run dummy flashers, so I don't know if regular flasher folks do better. I expect its about the same, just a different feel. I like the direct line to fish action, and faster resets.

The herring are definitely moving in, and not just hugging the bottom. They were up on the surface east of Hornby, although the fishing was not so good there. I guess they were all full on 8 inch herring.
 
So I know we don't like to give up our spots. But I am looking for some advice. Haven't been able to find a decent spot for dungeness in and around hornby/denman. When prawning near deep bay, ALOT of small dungeness are in the trap but under sized of course because its a prawn trap. If I put down a crab trap, nothin worth keeping. Am I the problem?
 
So I know we don't like to give up our spots. But I am looking for some advice. Haven't been able to find a decent spot for dungeness in and around hornby/denman. When prawning near deep bay, ALOT of small dungeness are in the trap but under sized of course because its a prawn trap. If I put down a crab trap, nothin worth keeping. Am I the problem?
Just learned last week in another thread, Those are 'Graceful crab' cancer gracilis that look similar but never get bigger.
 
HERRING - What's the word on the spawn around Denman?
 
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe: Gill Net,
COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe: Seine,
COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe: Test Fishery


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0221-COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe - Strait of Georgia - Bulletin # 8 - March 3, 2026

Strait of Georgia

Area 14 South
French Ck to NW Bay--------------- Feb 26: 600 tons
Nile Ck to French Ck-------------- Feb 27: 2,800tons

Test: Feb 25, Denman Isle set on 400 tons 1.6 NM N of Columbia Bch; 2.3%; 18.7cm; 66.3m:66.0f; 11-7-48-0-0; (21.7:75.5)

Test: Feb 25, Denman Isle set on 200 tons at Parksville Bay; 2.5%; 18.6cm; 55.3m:66.3f; 12-8-47-0-1; (21.1:81.7)

Total Area 14S: 3,400 tons (assessment incomplete)

Area 14 North
Lower Baynes Snd------------------ Feb 22: 100 tons
Upper Baynes Snd------------------ Feb 22: skimmers
Lambert Ch to Chrome Isl---------- Feb 28: 12,000
EC Denman Island------------------ Feb 28: 4,000 tons
Shelter Pt. to Cape Lazo---------- Feb 28: 2,000 tons
Mapleguard to Nile Cr.------------ Feb 27: 1,500 tons

Test: Feb 27, Denman Isle set on 350 tons 1 NM NW of Scallop Farm; 9.5%; 18.9cm; 54.3m:47.3f; 34-4-9-0-0; (28.1:98.5)

Test: Feb 28, Nita Maria set on 300 tons at Little R.; 12.0%; 19.1cm; 47.3m:55.0f; 47-3-5-0-0; (25.8:98.8)

Test: Feb 28, Denman Isle set on 300 tons at Ford Cove; 7.8%; 19.4cm; 57.0m:54.3f; 31-3-20-0-1; (25.0:88.8)

Test: Mar 1, Denman Isle set on 200 tons at Komas Bluff; 10.9%; 19.8cm; 51.0m:49.3f; 38-3-9-3-0; (29.7:97.1)

Test: Mar 1, Denman Isle set on 300 tons at Eagle Rock; 4.4%; 18.5cm; 81.8m:63.8f; 28-6-30-0-5; (16.0:66.7)

Total Area 14N: 19,600 tons (assessment incomplete)

AREA 15
Harwood Island-------------------- Mar 2: 120 tons
Savary Island--------------------- Mar 2: 300 tons

Total Area 15: 420 tons (assessment incomplete)

AREA 17 North
Neck Pt to Dodd Narrows----------- Feb 26: 500 tons
Blunden to Neck Pt---------------- Feb 26: 3,000 tons
Outer Nanoose--------------------- Feb 26: NFF
Dorcas Pt to Schooner Cove-------- Feb 26: NFF

Test: Feb 26, Denman Isle set on 300 tons at Blunden Pt.; 1.7%; 17.9cm; 75.0m:79.0f; 10-10-59-0-5; (16.2:62.8)

Total Area 17N: 3,500 tons (assessment incomplete)
 
Category(s):
COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe: Gill Net


Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0224-COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe: Gill Net - Strait of Georgia - Opening - March 4

Effective 08:00 hours March 4, 2026 and until further notice, the roe Herring gill net fishery is open in Subareas 14-1 to 14-13, 14-15, 17-12, 17-13, 17-18, 17-19, and 17-21.

The roe Herring gill net TAC in the Strait of Georgia is 5,559 tons.

Variation Order No. 2026-SOG-HG-001 in effect.

This opening has been requested by the roe Herring gill net pool captains based on recent spawn observations. The open area for this fishery includes the foreshore of Vancouver Island from Shelter Point to Horswell Bluff, including Hornby and Denman Islands. Comox Harbour, Nanoose Bay, Nanaimo Harbour, and Area 17 south of Dodd Narrows are closed to fishing and will remain closed for the duration of the fishery.

This fishery will remain open until further notice. It is not expected to close during the night or during poor weather conditions. The fishery will close when the overall catch target has been reached or after a reasonable fishing opportunity has been provided. Notification of the closure of this fishery will be provided as soon as is practicable, and fishers should be advised that this fishery may close on short notice.
 
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