The Province will open the Thompson River steelhead catch and release sport fishery for the remainder of 2011, effective Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011.

The Thompson steelhead fishery has remained closed for the past two years due to low returns. Data collected and analyzed this month by ministry staff show the fishery is now sufficiently stable to support a catch and release sport fishery.

The recreational fishery will be open until Dec. 31, 2011.

Ministry staff will continue to monitor productivity and abundance trends for the steelhead stocks, and are expected to reach a decision on whether the fishery will be open for the 2012-13 season in fall 2012.

Media Contact:

Cheekwan Ho
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261