Cowichan River

[Derby]

Good afternoon, Cowichan-Gulf Islands SFAC members.



I am writing to inform you of an unexpected change to the recreational fishing regulations in the Cowichan River. As many of you know, the Cowichan River in the recent past has suffered from poor water quality in the peak summer months due to a variety of factors. I have been advised by the Province of BC that water quality has deteriorated quite rapidly over the last handful of days. High pH, ammonia levels, combined with increasing water temperatures, are creating a challenging environment for trout and salmon in the river, and conditions are expected to worsen over the coming days and weeks. As a result, the Province is looking to initiate the summertime fishing closure early this year. Typically, the summer time closure is from July 15 to August 31. The Province will be looking to move the beginning of the closure up so that it begins on or near June 15th. The Department is proposing to mirror this regulation change from the Province for 2025. It is not anticipated that this will significantly affect recreational angling as effort on the river has greatly decreased over the last few weeks.



If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.



Thank you,



Sincerely,



Mark Frisson

Recreational Fisheries Coordinator

East Coast Vancouver Island

Email: Mark.Frisson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Cell: 236-255-1043

 

[jim morrow]

Well that is terrible news. I will be cancelling my Prov,Park reservations at the cowichan site.

 

[Fins -n- Skins]

There is some talk about tubers and impact they are having on the river. This is a sensitive subject as it’s big business for the town of Lake Cowichan. But it should be River / fish first of course ??

 

[islandboy]

Educate. If you're profiting off tubing, you should be required to educate your clients.

 

[onefish]

would be nice to get people on board with this

 

[Carmanah]

Good afternoon, Cowichan-Gulf Islands SFAC members.



I am writing to inform you of an unexpected change to the recreational fishing regulations in the Cowichan River. As many of you know, the Cowichan River in the recent past has suffered from poor water quality in the peak summer months due to a variety of factors. I have been advised by the Province of BC that water quality has deteriorated quite rapidly over the last handful of days. High pH, ammonia levels, combined with increasing water temperatures, are creating a challenging environment for trout and salmon in the river, and conditions are expected to worsen over the coming days and weeks. As a result, the Province is looking to initiate the summertime fishing closure early this year. Typically, the summer time closure is from July 15 to August 31. The Province will be looking to move the beginning of the closure up so that it begins on or near June 15th. The Department is proposing to mirror this regulation change from the Province for 2025. It is not anticipated that this will significantly affect recreational angling as effort on the river has greatly decreased over the last few weeks.



If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.



Thank you,



Sincerely,



Mark Frisson

Recreational Fisheries Coordinator

East Coast Vancouver Island

Email: Mark.Frisson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Cell: 236-255-1043

I have been checking the freshwater fishing synopsis in season changes and I have yet to see this posted. Not much angling going on with the warm weather and low water anyway, the highest risk is salmon/steelhead fry.

Also I have not heard an update about the Weir raising/construction since 2024, I have found information about the town of Lake Cowichan updating there sewer treatment which likely wont begin the major upgrades until 2027. These two projects are keystones to mitigating the low warm/polluted water that has plagued the river and major contributor to the fry die off in 2023. The pumps were installed in 2018 I believe and used twice since (good chance they are in service this year) so this has been an issue that has been brewing for a very long time but things like hatchery and sunscreen talk get all the press.

Does anyone have an update on what is going on with that?