Is Prawning Saanich Inlet Permitted this weekend?

[Sailfish25]

Hi all,

I was hoping to take the kids prawning this weekend in saanich inlet. Just looking through the regs I am getting conflicting reports.

On one hand my FishingBC App states that it is permitted. On the other hand, this DFO link says that it is closed the first 2 weeks of November for “pulse” fishing closures.

https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/shellfish-coquillages/closures-fermetures-eng.html

If it is indeed closed, anyone have any suggestions where I could go drop the prawn traps and entertain some 5 year olds?

Thank you

 

[Srthomas75]

I have prawned in 19-5 with success
Last Sunday I soaked traps for a couple hours in a new spot , got a limit but most were shrimp. You just have to watch the tide/ current at risk of losing gear.

 

[kaelc]

We pulled traps out yesterday. Definitely closed. You’ll see traps just north of the 19-7 line. Crowded if it was good weather but I’ve done ok there. Might see you out there but leaving my 5 year old and taking my 8

Hi all,

I was hoping to take the kids prawning this weekend in saanich inlet. Just looking through the regs I am getting conflicting reports.

On one hand my FishingBC App states that it is permitted. On the other hand, this DFO link says that it is closed the first 2 weeks of November for “pulse” fishing closures.

https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/shellfish-coquillages/closures-fermetures-eng.html

If it is indeed closed, anyone have any suggestions where I could go drop the prawn traps and entertain some 5 year olds?

Thank you

 

[Sailfish25]

I have prawned in 19-5 with success
Last Sunday I soaked traps for a couple hours in a new spot , got a limit but most were shrimp. You just have to watch the tide/ current at risk of losing gear.

Thank you

Prawning is now showing as closed in Saanich Inlet so the “pulse fishing” closure are in effect. It’s just funny how DFO website is always intentionally vague with its wording… “may be closed”

 

[Srthomas75]

I have found that the fishing bc app only shows updates on the day of a date/ reg change. ( which can be annoying in this case. Trying to make plans yesterday for today with the change of month )
Dfo site can be tricky at best too.
Good luck if you go out and post an update on your success.

 

[Sailfish25]

We pulled traps out yesterday. Definitely closed. You’ll see traps just north of the 19-7 line. Crowded if it was good weather but I’ve done ok there. Might see you out there but leaving my 5 year old and taking my 8

Thanks - trying to figure out now if I’m gonna lug the prawn gear down to the boat and do that.

Might just drop the crab traps around Oak Bay then troll around the flats for a bit.

I’ve got a new to me “Rain City wannabe” in white, so say hello if we cross paths. This will be my first time fishing the new boat, so with three 5 year olds on board, and two other dads that don’t fish… it’s sure to be a clumsy experience.

Maybe lugging the prawn traps down is a good idea….

 

[Sailfish25]

Well no luck with prawns or salmon north of the inlet. 2 other boats out there.

Crabbing in oak bay saved the day though. Loaded traps.

No meltdowns from the 5 year olds the entire day, then 10 minutes from the end of the day all three seemed to simultaneously go off. They recovered and “helped” clean the boat at the dock.

 

[kaelc]

Well no luck with prawns or salmon north of the inlet. 2 other boats out there.

Crabbing in oak bay saved the day though. Loaded traps.

No meltdowns from the 5 year olds the entire day, then 10 minutes from the end of the day all three seemed to simultaneously go off. They recovered and “helped” clean the boat at the dock.

It's tough when they are young. Lots of snacks and a big blanket for them to wrap themselves in and “read” and they call asleep. I have a spot a lot closer to Oak Bay that gets a mix of shrimp and prawns but it has to be a low current day and you need weighted traps and in line weights. Pm your number and I can shoot it to you. I haven't prawned there yet this year but will soon, I loaded the traps yesterday and just need to get all the rest of the gear on board!

 

[Squire]

Good for the 5yr olds even lasting the whole day. I took two boys 3 and 5 out this summer and limited the trip to a few hours. I ran out earlier on my own and dropped the prawn and crab traps so they didn’t have to wait for the whole soak time.
A half hour run to catch a ling within ten minutes, a spring within twenty minutes, then a slow cruise back to the traps while eating lunch and snacks and exploring the cuddy. Had enough prawns and crabs to keep things interesting so they didn’t have any down time.

 

[kaelc]

Good for the 5yr olds even lasting the whole day. I took two boys 3 and 5 out this summer and limited the trip to a few hours. I ran out earlier on my own and dropped the prawn and crab traps so they didn’t have to wait for the whole soak time.
A half hour run to catch a ling within ten minutes, a spring within twenty minutes, then a slow cruise back to the traps while eating lunch and snacks and exploring the cuddy. Had enough prawns and crabs to keep things interesting so they didn’t have any down time.

My kids love pulling the heads off prawns as long as they are live!