I think west coast is open other than alberni inlet?
The DFO has dedicated pages for spot prawn closures. I use perplexity pro to help find the regs and then I click on them and try to interpret them myself. You can get perplexity pro for $13 usd for a year or free with a US PayPal account, I can find the code and share it. Manus is free and may be just as good, but I use the perplexity comet browser. I also have a monthly subscription to Claude pro which is better in some ways and then have a basic Gemini account with our company Google subscription. AI is good if they give you the source, and SFBC is often a source for some searches.
Seasonal recreational prawn and shrimp closures in Stuart Channel, Saanich Inlet and Alberni Inlet
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
**Spot prawn closures in BC focus on protecting spawning stocks through seasonal recreational restrictions managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).**[1]
## Current Status (March 2026)
Recreational spot prawn fishing faces ongoing winter closures in key areas to safeguard egg-bearing females from January 1 to March 31, including Saanich Inlet (Subareas 19-7 to 19-12), where you are located. In Stuart Channel (Subareas 17-5, 17-6, 17-9), closures extend from January 1, 2026, until further notice as part of pulse-fishing measures.[1]
## Key Closed Areas
| Area | Subareas | Closure Period |
|------|----------|----------------|
| Saanich Inlet | 19-7 to 19-12 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 [1] |
| Stuart Channel | 17-5, 17-6, 17-9 | Jan 1, 2026 - further notice [1] |
| Quadra/Cortes Islands | 13-1, 13-12 to 13-17 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 [1] |
| Alberni Inlet | 23-1, 23-2 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 [1] |
Additional full closures apply to areas like Nanaimo, Powell River, and Malaspina Strait during this period.[1]
## Fall Pulse Closures
These repeat annually post-Labour Day: September 2-15, October 1-15, November 1-15, December 1-15 in Stuart Channel, Saanich Inlet, and Alberni Inlet to spread effort and boost stocks.[1]
Check DFO Fishery Notices (e.g., FN0835, FN1253) for updates, as recreational rules differ from commercial seasons (typically May-June).[2][1]
Sources
[1] Seasonal recreational prawn and shrimp closures in Stuart ...
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/shellfish-coquillages/closures-fermetures-eng.html
[2] Prawn and shrimp (Pandalus spp.) by trap, 2025/2026
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/mplans/prawnshrimp-trap-crevette-casier-ifmp-pgip-sm-eng.html
[3] 2026 Spot Prawn Season
https://sportfishingbc.com/threads/2026-spot-prawn-season.99745/
[4] When we harvest | BC Spot Prawns
https://www.bcprawns.ca/when-we-harvest
[5] 7:00 PM Be sure to get your hands on fresh, local BC ...
[6] 2025 Season Area Closures | BC Spot Prawns
https://www.bcprawns.ca/2025areaclosures
[7] Live Spot Prawn Season FAQ
https://bclivespotprawns.com/pages/live-spot-prawn-season-faq
[8] 7:00 PM Be sure to get your hands on fresh, local BC ...
https://www.facebook.com/bcprawns/p...n-season-is-officially-comi/1007352004896446/
[9] Spot Prawns - BC Seafood Alliances
https://bcseafoodalliance.com/fish/bc-spot-prawns/
[10] 2026 Spot Prawn Season
https://sportfishingbc.com/threads/2026-spot-prawn-season.99745/latest
[11] DFO's proposed 2026 Vancouver Island Fishing Closures
https://peetzoutdoors.com/2025/11/dfos-proposed-2026-vancouver-island-fishing-closures/
[12] Live Spot Prawn Updates & Tracking Page
https://bclivespotprawns.com/pages/live-spot-prawn-updates-tracking-page
[13] BC tidal area 29 - Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Fraser ...
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/a-s29-eng.html
[14] Area 17 Prawn closures & regulations
https://www.fishoncharters.ca/area-17-prawn-closures-and-regulations/
[15] Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C. - Gov.bc.ca
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...n/fishing-hunting/fishing/fishing-regulations
