RIVER FISHING
Steelhead
When it comes to river fishing in British Columbia, the most talked about target species is definitely steelhead. It is difficult for experienced steelhead anglers to explain what fishing for steelhead is like to those who have never tried it, but it is usually very easy to be hooked after you experience catching one. The take is usually more than a quick tug, the fight is often explosive. By the end of a fight with a steelhead, the angler is usually exhausted or high on adrenaline.
Steelhead are in fact sea-migratory rainbow trout. Like anadromous Pacific salmon, they migrate into the ocean after spending one or two years in their natal streams. After spending several years in the Pacific Ocean, they return to and spawn in their natal streams. The similarity ends there, as steelhead can survive after spawning and return to the ocean again to repeat the cycle. Unlike rainbow trout that only live in lakes and rivers throughout their entire lifespan, steelhead can grow much larger due to the higher abundance of food in the ocean. Depending on the stocks, steelhead usually weigh between 5 and 15lb, but some populations have larger specimen, which can be over 20lb at times.
There are many rivers along the entire coast of British Columbia where steelhead fishing is available. In the Lower Mainland, anglers mainly target winter steelhead while only a few streams have summer steelhead returning. The winter steelhead fishery in the Chilliwack River and several other Lower Fraser tributaries are very popular. On Vancouver Island, winter steelhead fisheries are available in many streams along the East Coast of Vancouver Island. The more popular fisheries take place in Stamp River and Cowichan River.
Freshwater Salmon
Beside being targeted in the ocean, Pacific salmon are widely caught in rivers when they return to spawn in their natal streams. Freshwater salmon fisheries in British Columbia are very popular because they can be done without a boat most of the time, so the cost is much lower than saltwater salmon fishing. Every season, tens of thousands of both local and visiting anglers enjoy catching salmon at the last phase of their adult life, when the largest specimen are found. You can either access many salmon streams in British Columbia on foot, or you can hire a guide who takes you to more remote streams by a jet boat. Either way, you can find spectacular fishing more often than not.
Five Pacific salmon are targeted at different time of the year, depending on when they return to their natal streams to spawn. The timing of their return depends on several factors, which are the species, the latitude of their natal stream and the distance between the estuary and their spawning ground. All five species return in different times of the year, but their timings may often overlap. Salmon tend to return earlier in northern part than southern part of British Columbia due to the difference in the length of summer. If the distance between the river mouth and their spawning ground is long, then salmon will enter the system earlier than salmon that return to short coastal streams.
White Sturgeon
One of the biggest attractions in British Columbia’s freshwater fishery is battling with white sturgeon, which are the largest freshwater fish in the world. These prehistoric-like fish are found in six different watersheds – Upper, Mid and Lower Fraser River, Nechako River, Columbia River and Kootenay River. Unfortunately, due to damming and overfishing in the past century, most of these populations are now listed as endangered by the Species at Risk Act. Today, the Lower and Mid Fraser River are open for white sturgeon fishing. This is a sustainable catch and release fishery, which attracts anglers from all over the world.
White sturgeon can be caught in the Fraser River throughout the year, but the best fishing months are April to October. In April, before spring freshet begins, eulachon make their way into the river to spawn. These oily baitfish make up an important diet for white sturgeon. After being inactive throughout the winter months, they are eager feeders so bites are frequent if you can find where the fish are feeding. They continue feeding on small fish throughout the summer months until the arrival of spawning salmon. The presence of spawning salmon shifts white sturgeon’s diet from baitfish to salmon roe. As salmon lay their eggs, white sturgeon enjoy eating loose eggs that are carried downstream by the current. Once spawned out salmon die, their diet shifts once again to rotten salmon flesh. Between August and November, sacs of salmon roe and flesh from salmon carcasses become two commonly used bait for white sturgeon.
Target Species
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Like a pack of wolves in the forest, the illusive coastal cutthroat travel in schools along kelp beds, estuaries, bays, rivers and lakes. Characterized by two orange slashes under the jaw, these magnificent looking fish possess beauty that not many other species can...
Black Rockfish
Black rockfish is a rockfish species found in the coastal waters of British Columbia. Their primary habitat is kelp beds, where they feed on baitfish. Black rockfish can be targeted by fly fishing or jigging with artificial lures. They are easy to catch because they...
American Shad
American shad are anadromous and native to the East coast of North America. Due to introductions into the Sacramento and Columbia Rivers in the early 1900s, they are now found all along the West coast of North America. During the summer months, spawning adults can be...
Rivers to Explore
Durrance Lake, Mount Work Regional Park
Just a short drive from either Victoria or the ferry terminal in Sidney, Durrance Lake is an excellent fishing location for families who also want to include other activities such as swimming, picnicking and hiking on the same day. While categorized as an urban...
Marquart Lake, Merritt
Located just outside of Merritt, Marquart Lake is a small, clear lake which offers good rainbow trout fishing, camping and other outdoor activities nearby. Getting There From Merritt, travel east on Highway 97C (Okanagan Connector). After leaving Merritt for about ten...