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Angling banned on most streams due to low flows

Fishing closures declared across most of B.C.'s South Coast, except mainstems of exempted rivers
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Map of wildlife management units where stream and river angling is now generally banned.

Low water levels and warming temperatures have prompted the province to ban angling in most streams and smaller rivers across the South Coast region.

The unusual drought conditions make fish vulnerable and the closures are required to protect stocks, according to provincial government officials.

The closures covers all of the wildlife management units south of Toba Inlet, inlcuding the Lower Mainland, with the exception of unit 2-1, which is Manning Park east of the Skagit River.

Fishing is still allowed in lakes and reservoirs, and there are also exemptions for the mainstem sections of the Fraser, the Chilliwack-Vedder, Harrison, Lillooet, Squamish (non-tidal), Pitt (non-tidal), Elaho, Cheakamus, Capilano and Mamquam rivers.

The move comes after last week's declaration of Level 4 drought conditions in southwestern B.C.

Angling closures were previously declared for southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and parts of the South Okanagan, as well as the Horsefly River in the Cariboo.

Exempted rivers as well as other key angling streams are being monitored by fisheries biologists and could be closed as well, if necessary.

Not even catch and release angling is allowed on closed streams.