2026 OFFISHALL Vancouver- Howe Sound- Sechelt Report Thread

[Howesounder]

Does anyone know when the Commercial Prawn Season opens exactly? I would like to get another soak or 2 before they begin. I respect their industry and livelihood and have lots of opportunity to prawn so want to ensure I am out of the way and out of the water during their stretch.

The DFO officer who boarded me while I was pulling my traps told me May 20th when I asked, which seems way late to me. Other randos have been telling me May 13. So i guess your guess is as good as any.

 

[Rain City]

The DFO officer who boarded me while I was pulling my traps told me May 20th when I asked, which seems way late to me. Other randos have been telling me May 13. So i guess your guess is as good as any.

What was he bugging you about?

By exclusion zone are you referring to the sponge reef closures? More and more I'm seeing traps right smack in the middle of them. So good on DFO for finally clearing them out.

 

[Howesounder]

What was he bugging you about?

By exclusion zone are you referring to the sponge reef closures? More and more I'm seeing traps right smack in the middle of them. So good on DFO for finally clearing them out.

Yes I was refering to Sponge Glass zones. I was also glad to see them there. Although I would really like to see them
Working the Howe Sound RCA's more but I guess the budget is limited. They checked my single string with 2 traps, all good. I had my two adult sons on board i set and pulled traps but my son was driving. He warned me that if someone helps in anyway they need to have a license. One son is headed treeplantimg soon. Wont get license until he's back. The other as always will get his before he goes fishing.They watch me count to 117... I only reported incase someone was thinking their traps had been stolen.

 

[Samnjoe]

Ah the endangered glass sponges. Do they only eat Chinooks as well.
Nonsense.

 

[A-a-Ron]

Ah the endangered glass sponges. Do they only eat Chinooks as well.
Nonsense.

Of all the regs we have, this one kinda makes sense.
I dropped a set once near but away from a sponge reef… pulled it up and there were pieces of the sponge reef in the trap. That stuff’s extremely brittle and regrows slow.

There’s an absurd amount of prawning grounds out there. Pick your battles.

 

[Howesounder]

Ah the endangered glass sponges. Do they only eat Chinooks as well.
Nonsense.

Do some research. Spong Glass Reefs are ancient , fragile and anamazing habitate for many species including spot prawns.

 

[northwest wind]

Commercial prawns are to open May 13