WLFN Fisheries Report: August 2, 2024

Chilcotin River Slide Update

There is presently a complete blockage of the Chilcotin River above Big Creek. There is absolutely no salmon fishing permitted within WLFN Traditional Territory on the Chilcotin or Fraser Rivers due to catastrophic flood potential. There is absolutely no fishing above the slide either due to conservation requirements. Please follow the CRD Emergency Operations page for the latest news about the landslide and evacuations (click link).

Mandatory Protection Measures

• Do not fish for Chinook this year. Please protect these Chinook stocks that are at high risk of extinction as they return to their spawning grounds.
• Do not fish for Sockeye this year. Allow all Chinook and Sockeye, which are at high risk of extinction, to pass through and return to their spawning grounds.

WLFN will be providing fresh Sockeye salmon to WLFN community members in the coming weeks, free of charge. Salmon has been purchased from neighbouring nations where salmon stocks are not at risk. Please follow WLFN’s social media for more information as it becomes available.

We can all help protect our at-risk Chinook and Sockeye populations for the future by allowing them to safely return to their spawning grounds. Chinook and Sockeye are expected to return in lowest numbers ever this year please consider fishing for other resident fish (rainbow trout, bull trout, suckers). Kukwstép-kucw, we thank you for your cooperation.

Photos and video below are property of Williams Lake First Nation. For permission, please contact: brandon.hoffman@wlfn.ca