Quinsam Hatchery restricting after-hours access to help reduce human/bear conflicts
Published 6:00 pm Thursday, August 27, 2026
Wild Wise Campbell River is reminding everyone that the Quinsam River Hatchery has now restricted all after-hour access to the dam area, located behind the hatchery facility.
The conservation group – that’s committed to reducing human-wildlife conflict – said on social media this week that, the restriction s for everyone’s safety and will allow the bears time and space to eat.
It notes that over the past couple of years, the number of daytime visitors has increased to more than 1,000 people per day.
The hatchery’s visiting hours are: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The main gate at Argonaut/Quinsam Road is locked at 3:30 p.m.
Wild Wise is reminding those visiting the hatchery, walking the trails, or fishing in the river system to give black bears the space they require to feed and to not bring food to the river.
Wild Wise is urging visitors not to crowd or chase bears along the river for photo ops. It added that if people get too close, the bears will show their stress through their body language. Signs of stress include swinging their heads from side to side and looking for an escape route; ears back; yawning; jaw popping or grunting; slapping the ground or even bluff charging.
According to Wild Wise, during hyperphagia mode, black bears need to eat 20 to 30 salmon a day which equals 20,000 calories a day (or 60 cheeseburgers). If they do not gain the weight required, they may not survive winter, and the sows may not embed their fertilized eggs in mid-November.
For more about black bears and tips to keep yourself safe, visit www./wildwisesociety.org.