Summary

• Starting Monday, May 4, 2026, the use of watercraft and wading gear will be prohibited in all lakes, rivers and creeks within Mount Robson Park to reduce the risk of spreading whirling disease into the Fraser River watershed
• The restrictions apply to all motorized and non-motorized boats, such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, along with waders and boots typically used for fishing
• The proactive restrictions are aligned with similar measures recently announced in Banff and Jasper national parks to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species

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New restrictions on water-based activities will soon begin at Mount Robson Park to reduce the risk of spreading whirling disease into the Fraser River watershed.

Starting Monday, May 4, 2026, the use of watercraft and wading gear will be prohibited from all lakes, rivers and creeks within Mount Robson Park. The restrictions apply to motorized and non-motorized boats, such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, along with waders and boots typically used for fishing. People can still swim in the water or fish from shore using a clean fishing rod and lures.

No treatment to eradicate disease, prevention key

Whirling disease is an infectious finfish disease caused by a microscopic parasite that attacks the head, and spinal and nervous tissue of fish. The disease damages the brain stem and spinal cord, resulting in an erratic “whirling” swimming pattern of infected fish.

The movement of fish, mud and water can spread whirling disease. It can be transmitted through spores that attach to equipment used for outdoor recreation, through infected fish (alive or dead) and fish parts, and pets. Juvenile trout, salmon and whitefish are the species most susceptible to the disease, which can cause significant mortality. The disease is not a health risk to humans or pets.

Since there is no treatment for the disease, the best response is to contain it and take preventative measures by following the Clean, Drain, Dry steps before moving watercraft and gear between waterbodies. This includes the Pull the Plug law, implemented in 2024, to have the drain plug removed when transporting a boat or other watercraft over land in B.C.

Disease not confirmed in Mount Robson Park

The first case of whirling disease in Canada was confirmed in August 2016 in Banff National Park. Since then, it has been confirmed in four major watersheds across southern and central Alberta, along with Yoho National Park (Columbia River watershed) and Kootenay Lake.

B.C. monitors for whirling disease in priority waterbodies in the Columbia River watershed in partnership with First Nations, the Government of Canada and other partners. So far, the disease has not been detected in Mount Robson Park, but BC Parks and Parks Canada are taking a co-ordinated approach to prevent the spread throughout parks in the Rocky Mountains. This includes:

• new restrictions on water activities in Banff and Jasper national parks
• water activity restrictions already in place in Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton national parks, along with Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

Park visitors play an essential role in stopping the spread of whirling disease by following the restrictions on water-based activities. Given Mount Robson Park’s connection to regional watersheds and high number of visitors, the restrictions are necessary to protect the Fraser River watershed, native fish, ecosystems and recreational opportunities. If the disease was introduced in Mount Robson Park, it could move downstream through the Fraser River watershed and potentially impact native salmon populations, ecological integrity and fisheries throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

• Mount Robson Park is one of B.C.’s most popular destinations, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year.
• The park was initially established, in part, to protect the headwaters of the Fraser River, which is one of North America’s most important salmon-bearing river systems.
• In December 2023, B.C. recorded its first case of whirling disease at a single site in Yoho National Park (Columbia River watershed); it has also been detected in Kootenay Lake.
• Additionally, a whirling disease decontamination requirement was implemented in the Columbia River watershed for government staff and contractors.
• Decontamination is recommended for all water users to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

Learn More:

• For more information about Mount Robson Park and the new restrictions, visit: https://bcparks.ca/mount-robson-park/
• To learn more about whirling disease and how it affects fish, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/fish/aquatic-species/aquatic-invasives/whirling-disease
• To view the brochure about preventing the spread of whirling disease in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/fish-fish-habitat/whirling-disease/whirling_disease_background_and_guidance_brochure.pdf