Fishing in British Columbia

British Columbia is a fisherman's paradise. There are thousands upon thousands of freshwater rivers, streams and lakes. There is also numerous saltwater fishing opportunities along B.C.'s rugged coastline, and off the coast of Vancouver Island. The species availability is unparalleled. Whether it is salmon, halibut or ling cod in the salt or rainbow trout, steelhead , sturgeon and salmon in freshwater, B.C. has the species for every angler.

B.C. has two main water systems of importance to the angler, the Fraser and Skeena rivers. The Fraser River is undoubtedly the provinces most important waterway. From Prince George the river works it's way south where it meets the Thompson River at Lytton. At Hope, the River bends and heads towards the coast.

Every year millions of pacific salmon use the Fraser as the route home to their natal streams. There is also a good population of white sturgeon, with fish up to fifteen feet long and over one thousand pounds.

The Skeena River, and its famous tributaries, offer world class Chinook salmon and steelhead fishing. Every year fisherman from around the world congregate on the banks and drift the flows of the Bulkley, Kispioux, and Kalum among others.

The Interior of British Columbia is the home of the world famous Kamloops Trout. Often shaped like a football, and with a penchant for reel screaming runs and aerial acrobatics, the Kamloops rainbow is a gem. The fertile lakes of the Kamloops area and the Caribou/Chilcotin allow the Kamloops to grow large .

Often overlooked are the trout streams of the province. The St. Mary's and Elk rivers offer excellent Westslope cutthroat fishing, and the rivers of the North East of the province hold bull trout up to twenty pounds!

For the saltwater angler, the two main salmon species are the Chinook and Coho. For bottom fish, Halibut up to 350 pounds and big ling cod are the main targets. Beach fly fishing for pink salmon along the coast of Vancouver Island has become popular the last decade as has beach fly fishing for Coho salmon, particularly around Tofino.

Whatever your fishing desires, they can be satisfied in British Columbia, as thousands of visiting anglers find out each year. Come visit B.C., you won't be disappointed.