Rules for the
Pacific Salmon Slam

Thank you for supporting the Pacific Salmon Slam. This program was put together to support conservation and demonstrates the value of protecting your fishing rights. We ask that you purchase your fishing license(s), follow regulations, basic etiquette and ethics. Salmon are our shared resource. Show respect for these creatures and your fellow anglers. 

Anglers who do not follow these rules may be disqualified.

Rules For Catches to Qualify

  1. You must possess a valid fishing license for the waters you are fishing in
    1. Saltwater License
    2. Freshwater License
  2. You must have an active Slam authorization for catches to qualify.
    • You cannot purchase your authorization and submit past catches.
    • To qualify, all catches must have occurred after you purchased your Slam authorization.
  3. Follow the regulations
    1. Saltwater Regulations
    2. Freshwater Regulations
  4. Fish in water that is open for fishing
    1. Saltwater Openings
    2. Freshwater Openings
  5. You must catch each one of the five species of Pacific Salmon and submit a picture of each of the five fish.
    • Fish caught before your purchase of a Pacific Salmon Slam authorization do not count towards your slam.  

Etiquette and Ethics

Catch and Release

If you intend to release your fish, practice safe fish handling techniques

  1. Use barbless hooks: Pinch your barbs down or use barbless hooks to make hook removal fast while reducing stress on the fish. Remove the hook gently. If the fish is deeply hooked near the gills of the fish, cut the line, leaving the hook in the fish. This increases the chance of survival for the fish.
  2. Don’t exhaust the fish: Bring the salmon in as quickly as possible. Prolonged fights cause lactic acid to build up, severely reducing the fish’s chances of survival post-release 
  3. Use a quality net or fish cradle: do not use nets with large open webbing, as this may interfere with the fish’s gills. Knotless or rubber nets are preferred. Other types of nets can damage fins and remove the slime layer on their skin.
  4. Keep the fish wet: Take a picture of the fish in the net to reduce stress. If you must remove the fish from the water for a photo, do it as quickly as possible. Try not to exceed 15 seconds out of the water. 
  5. Support the fish’s body: Never hold a salmon vertically by the tail, gills, or jaw, as this causes severe internal organ damage. Cradle the fish horizontally by supporting the mid-section and under the belly. Keep your fingers away from the gills and eyes 
  6. Releasing the fish: Hold the salmon horizontally in the water, facing it directly into the current. This allows fresh water and oxygen to flow through its gills naturally. Be patient. Release the fish when it is ready to go. 

Dispatch

Fish are a significant source of protein and are excellent table fare. Anglers choosing to retain the catch are asked to dispatch the fish quickly. Whether you choose to retain or release the fish, we ask that you treat it with respect.

Code of Conduct 

Anglers must always follow our code of conduct while completing the Pacific Salmon Slam.

The Pacific Salmon Slam is more than a challenge; it is a celebration of the anglers, waters, and wild salmon that make British Columbia extraordinary.

Thank you for helping build a community dedicated to responsible recreation and the conservation of wild Pacific salmon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register for the Pacific Salmon Slam multiple times?

Yes! We encourage this type of behaviour! While we want you to participate in many slams, we ask that you complete one slam at a time. This makes it a little easier for our team to process your results.

No, you must purchase your fishing license, required conservation stamps and your Pacific Salmon Slam authorization before you start your slam.

No, the five fish you submit to achieve a Slam cannot be used for another Slam.

No, your Slam authorization is valid from the date you sign up until the date you complete your Slam. Once you have completed your Slam, you may choose to start a new Slam to collect another coin or achieve a new badge.

No. We ask that all anglers use legal and ethical methods to catch Salmon. Snagging or poaching defies the spirit of this challenge. This is your resource. Respect it and protect it.

No, all fish eligible for the slam must be caught in British Columbia during fishing openings. Part of the adventure is exploring BC, meeting new people and discovering new challenges. Lean into this, and you’ll have a blast completing your Slam!

That’s not a question. Like all great challenges, the fun is in the achievement. You’re only cheating yourself by gaming the system. Learn a new tactic, explore a new watershed, and improve your fishing skills. This challenge is an awesome excuse to better yourself while supporting conservation. Now get out there and catch some fish!

A minimum of 80% of your Pacific Salmon Slam fees goes directly back into conservation. That’s $20 out of every $25 authorization for the first year. The remaining $5 is allocated to program fees (coin development and purchase, project selection and funding), costs incurred (shipping, processing), accounting costs, hosting costs, security maintenance, and future development of this platform.

Once you catch your Salmon, snap a quick picture and either quickly release it or retain it, then mark the catch on your license. If you are practicing catch and release, try to keep the fish wet. If you must remove the fish from the water, try to limit the time the fish is out of the water. Handle your catch with care and release the fish gently.

That sounds like something we might want to hear about! We have a long history of supporting conservation projects on the Hunters for BC side of things. We’re looking to replicate this with our Anglers for BC program. Tell us about your project – we might be able to help!