Sport Fishing in British Columbia

British Columbia is one of the best places for sport fishing in Canada. It offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities for anglers, ranging from coastal fishing to flyfishing in streams. You can take a boat out to the Pacific Ocean for deep-sea fishing or fly out on a floatplane to look for the perfect fishing spot in rivers and lakes. British Columbia, or the Great White North, has about 12,000 miles of coastline, tens of thousands miles of streams and rivers, and more than 25,000 lakes to give you lots of fishing possibilities.

The chinook salmon is perhaps the most sought after fish for anglers in British Columbia. This fish usually weighs around 32kg, making it one of the largest and most prized salmon fish. If you want a more challenging catch, there is the giant white sturgeon, which is North America’s largest freshwater fish. This fish can grow to a length of more than 3m and weigh over 500kg. When it is hooked, it puts on a big fight and may leap out of the water giving anglers a most exciting fishing experience.

Another favorite British Columbia fish is the steelhead. This fish is known for its great fighting spirit and elusiveness, and it makes a very challenging catch even for the most experienced anglers. The more common fish that you will find in British Columbia include the rainbow trout, char, cutthroat trout, whitefish, bass, and pike.

Because of its diverse landscape and abundance of water bodies, British Columbia has many places that are perfect for fishing. There are different fishing possibilities in every region. Below is a list of the most popular fishing regions in British Columbia.

  • Vancouver Coast and Mountains: Here, you will find a wide variety of fish, ranging from the giant white sturgeon in the Fraser River to the salmon, steelhead, and trout in the Fraser Valley. The Sunshine Coast also offers a great variety of species. For information about fishing in this region, you can check out Fishing in Vancouver Coast and Mountains.
  • Vancouver: Vancouver has a temperate climate that is suitable for fishing throughout the year. The Fraser River, Straight of Georgia, Capilano River, Howe Sound, and Horseshoe Bay are all great fishing destinations. Information about fishing in Vancouver can be found at Fishing Vancover.
  • Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island has a rich fishing tradition, and it is home to the famous Tyee Club. Some of the best spots for fishing are Campbell River, Port Albeni, Port McNeill, Ucluelet, Tofino, the Gold River, and the Cowichan River. More information is available at Fishing in Vancouver Island.
  • Whistler: Whistler has many secluded spots in lakes and rivers that are ideal for fishing. Some of the fish you can expect in this region include the steelhead, salmon, the coho, the rainbow trout, and the cutthroat trout. Find out more information at Fish Whistler.
  • Victoria: The city of Victoria is located close to many great fishing spots. You can easily find charter operations in the city to take you to these places. Get more information about fishing in Victoria at Fishing Victoria.
  • Other regions: Other regions of British Columbia that offer great fishing adventures are Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Northern British Columbia, Thompson Okanagan, and Kootenay Rockies.

If you plan to camp during your fishing trip in British Columbia, you can find information about campgrounds at All Camp Grounds.