Sooke retention guide July 4th

[jaymasta]

Hey all
Iam very confused can anyone verify what I am able to keep in sooke, ill be fishing only in area 20-5 from what it looks like, basically cheanu marina to secretary island area.

2 chinook per day, wild or hatchery 45cm- 85 cm or hatchery greater than 85cm in length.
Hatchery coho 30cm minimum 2 per day
Wild coho, non rentetion
Pink 4 per day 30cm min
Sockeye 30cm min and I don't see daily limit assume its 2?
And can anyone sum up the key features in distinguishing the main 3 fish, it looks like that's all ill be catching from recent reports I've been reading, chinook, pink and coho. I am terrible in the moment (fish in the net) trying to tell the difference in the 3 and don't want to hurt any fish I need to release. Thanks in advance, heading out tomorrow so quick response is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[tigerprawn]

Check the regs for proper Id. When in doubt release. No retention on sockeye yet.

 

[Michael]

Combined daily limit for all salmon species from all waters: 4
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/a-s20-eng.html

 

[profisher]

There are a couple of ways to determine the species of a fish as you get them close to the boat. A coho often will spin and twirl on the surface as you get it near the boat. A pink will often bury its head and try and stay away from the surface. A spring will give you quite a few head shakes and generally be more difficult to handle even when the same size as smaller Coho and pinks. A simple and quick way to eliminate some of the possibilities is to run your finger across its gums. If there are prickly sharp teeth (push down hard enough and they will cut you) you know for sure is is either a Coho or a Spring. You can eliminate the other 3 right off the bat. Or vice verse, no teeth eliminate springs and coho. If there are teeth it is quite easy to tell springs and coho apart. Again look at the mouth, The gums on a spring are black and coho white. (gums are the flesh where the teeth protrude from) If there are no teeth the easiest of the 3 fish to id are pinks. They have small scales and the tail has oval shape spots through out the entire tail. Sockeye and Chum are quite similar and the hardest for a novice to differentiate. My advise would be that unless sockeye are open (they are not right now) toss back anything that has no teeth, has an adipose fin and lacks oval spots on the tail. Its likely a sockeye.

 

[jaymasta]

There are a couple of ways to determine the species of a fish as you get them close to the boat. A coho often will spin and twirl on the surface as you get it near the boat. A pink will often bury its head and try and stay away from the surface. A spring will give you quite a few head shakes and generally be more difficult to handle even when the same size as smaller Coho and pinks. A simple and quick way to eliminate some of the possibilities is to run your finger across its gums. If there are prickly sharp teeth (push down hard enough and they will cut you) you know for sure is is either a Coho or a Spring. You can eliminate the other 3 right off the bat. Or vice verse, no teeth eliminate springs and coho. If there are teeth it is quite easy to tell springs and coho apart. Again look at the mouth, The gums on a spring are black and coho white. (gums are the flesh where the teeth protrude from) If there are no teeth the easiest of the 3 fish to id are pinks. They have small scales and the tail has oval shape spots through out the entire tail. Sockeye and Chum are quite similar and the hardest for a novice to differentiate. My advise would be that unless sockeye are open (they are not right now) toss back anything that has no teeth, has an adipose fin and lacks oval spots on the tail. Its likely a sockeye.

Thanks pro fisher, I will be referring to this post if I catch a fish...very helpful

 

[Saxe Point]

There are a couple of ways to determine the species of a fish as you get them close to the boat. A coho often will spin and twirl on the surface as you get it near the boat. A pink will often bury its head and try and stay away from the surface. A spring will give you quite a few head shakes and generally be more difficult to handle even when the same size as smaller Coho and pinks. A simple and quick way to eliminate some of the possibilities is to run your finger across its gums. If there are prickly sharp teeth (push down hard enough and they will cut you) you know for sure is is either a Coho or a Spring. You can eliminate the other 3 right off the bat. Or vice verse, no teeth eliminate springs and coho. If there are teeth it is quite easy to tell springs and coho apart. Again look at the mouth, The gums on a spring are black and coho white. (gums are the flesh where the teeth protrude from) If there are no teeth the easiest of the 3 fish to id are pinks. They have small scales and the tail has oval shape spots through out the entire tail. Sockeye and Chum are quite similar and the hardest for a novice to differentiate. My advise would be that unless sockeye are open (they are not right now) toss back anything that has no teeth, has an adipose fin and lacks oval spots on the tail. Its likely a sockeye.

Yes, very helpful indeed. Thanks!

 

[jaymasta]

Well it was a great day for us, quite easily could see the difference in the gums white vs black with sharp teeth. We limited out on hatchery coho and caught 2 springs one beautiful 16-18lb (78cm) I would guess. Another 10 fish to the boat we released and lost a few more in the depths. Lots of wild coho, and a few smaller springs. Very nice as I had my cousin out from Calgary and he doesn't get to fish like this very often.

 

[merrittboy1]

Awesome Jaymasta, had family out from Swift Current, first time on ocean and they caught a few springs and coho. Had a blast.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

Thats awsome! Love hearing all these people taking advantage of this!