Drought conditions, high temperatures prompt B.C. fishing restrictions

VANCOUVER – Fishing is being restricted throughout British Columbia amid drought conditions and hot temperatures.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has put out two releases announcing that the province is suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout most of the south coast and the Nicola region in the Interior.

The ministry say the ban is to protect fish stocks when they are vulnerable to low flows and high water temperatures.

Lakes and reservoirs are not included in the restrictions, and neither are some streams, such as the Chilliwack-Vedder, Harrison, Lillooet, Elaho and Cheakamus.

Fishing restrictions are already in place for Southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the south Okanagan and for the Horsefly River in the Cariboo region.

The Ministry says biologists are monitoring other streams across the province, and further bans could be put in place if conditions get worse.