Fishing is sometimes harder than it looks, the regulations seem really unfair and unnecessary. With a barbless hook, it'd be even worse, as you might be surprised how often larger fish can throw a lure when you're trying to reel them into the shore. If you don't fish a lot, then you might not know how often even with a barbed hook, that fish can eat the bait off the hook and you miss them - especially fish with a smaller mouth like bluegill. 'No natural bait' is, in my humble opinion, completely stupid. Contestants outside that region are subject to Canadian regulation. Of special note is that the northern half of Chilko lake is Native Aboriginal land meaning it is now regulated (as of 2014) by the local tribes, which means its an agreement between THC and the Tsilhqot'in tribe. While I was reading your post I followed your lead to pull up the hunting regs for the same region. Biko is in the precarious position of being close to the river head making fishing difficult. From what I could parse out, it looks like any contestant on the west side of the lake, region 5-5, is unrestricted to fish whatever they can using non-barbed hooks, anyone on the east bank, 5-4, is essentially hampered by a daily limit, like that would matter. Thanks for the Region 5 Cariboo location Water Reg's. Nothing wrong with hunting and fishing regs like these, but you gotta wonder if this was the best spot for a show like Alone? It’s hard enough out there for these people without having their hands tied behind their backs! I feel like the History Channel just couldn’t resist the sexy, sensationalized “GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN, THE MOST DANGEROUS SEASON IN ALONE HISTORY” (read in ridiculous, overly dramatic tv voice), regardless of whether the contestants actually have a chance of succeeding out there. No moose, no bears (black or grizzly), no beaver.Could only trap/snare rabbits (no squirrels, not even mice).No gill nets, though I’ve seen conflicting info on this - may be seasonably allowable (after Alone Day 45).Daily limits on trout (not sure about salmon).No natural bait lures/flies only (the only exception being roe if they happen to catch a female fish with some).From what I can tell based on contestants’ comments in the Alone Facebook group, here’s what they’re up against:

I know there have always been restrictions on hunting and fishing in prior seasons, but this year on Chilko Lake just seems ridiculous.

Lot limit fishing