Freshwater Fishing

by Location

• Mill Lake

Agassiz

• Fraser - Hamilton Road
• Fraser - Johnsons Slough Mouth Bar
• Fraser - Limbert Road
• Fraser - Maria Slough Bridge
• Fraser - McDonald Road Bar
• Fraser - Mountain Slough
• Fraser - Sea Bird Island
• Fraser - Wadsworth Island Bar

Beaverdell

• Collier Lake - Lower
• Collier Lake - Upper
• Cup Lake (Beaverdell)
• Lassie Lake

Boston Bar

• Blue Lake
• Hannah Lake - East
• Hannah Lake - West
• Nahatlatch Lake – East
• Nahatlatch Lake – West

Chehalis - Upper River

• Chehalis - Logging Bridge

Chilliwack

• Chadsey Lake
• Chilliwack Lake - North
• Chilliwack Lake - South
• Cultus Lake
• Flora Lake
• Fraser - Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge Bar
• Fraser - Ballam Road Bar
• Fraser - Big Eddy Bay West Shore
• Fraser - Big Fish Bar
• Fraser - Camp River Mouth
• Fraser - Cheam Slough Mouth Bar
• Fraser - Chilliwack Mountain Bar
• Fraser - Ferry Island Bar
• Fraser - Gallagher Bar
• Fraser - Gill Bar
• Fraser - Greyell Island
• Fraser - Harrison Hill Bar
• Fraser - Island 22
• Fraser - Island Downstream of Ferry Island
• Fraser - Jesperson Bar
• Fraser - Lower Bowman Bar
• Fraser - Lower Island Bar
• Fraser - McGillivray Game Preserve
• Fraser - McGrath Bar
• Fraser - Morrows Bar
• Fraser - Old Orchard Bar
• Fraser - Pegleg Bar
• Fraser - Upper Bowman Bar
• Fraser - Upper Ferry Island
• Fraser - Upper Island Bar
• Fraser - Webster Bar
• Fraser - Wellington Bars
• Greendrop Lake
• Lindeman Lake
• Pierce Lake
• Vedder - River Bar
• Vedder - River Mouth

Christian Valley

• Copperkettle Lake

Enderby

• Hidden Lake Enderby

Falkland

• Pillar Lake - North
• Pillar Lake - South
• Pinaus Lake - East
• Pinaus Lake - West

Grand Forks

• Christina Lake - English Point
• Christina Lake - North
• Christina Lake - South
• Christina Lake - Texas Point
• Christina Lake - Treadmill Creek
• Wilgress Lake
• Xenia Lake

Greenwood

• Jewel Lake

Harrison Hot Springs

• Deer Lake - Harrison
• Hicks Lake
• Slollicum Lake
• Stacey Lake
• Trout Lake

Harrison Mills

• Francis Lake
• Fraser - Kilby Provincial Park
• Fraser - Queens Island
• Grace Lake
• Harrison Railway Bridge Bar
• Harrison River Bridge
• Harrison River Mouth Island Bars
• Lake Errock
• Lookout Lake
• Morris Lake
• Sunrise Lake
• Weaver Lake
• Wolf Lakes
• Wood Lake

Hope

• Devils Lake - Hope
• Fraser - Chawathil Bar
• Fraser - Coquihalla River Mouth Bar
• Fraser - Ferry Landing Place
• Fraser - Floods Bar
• Fraser - Haig Scale Bar
• Fraser - Lower Bristol Island Bar
• Fraser - Pipeline Bar
• Fraser - Rotary Trails Bars
• Fraser - Silverhope Creek Bar
• Fraser - Tom Berry Bar
• Fraser - Upper Bristol Island Bar
• Fraser - Wardle Street Bar
• Jones Lake
• Kawkawa Lake
• Lake Of The Woods
• Silver Lake

Kelowna

• Arlington Lake #1
• Arlington Lake #2
• Arlington Lake #3
• Bouleau Lake
• Idabel Lake
• Okanagan Lake - Fintry
• Okanagan Lake - Kelowna
• Okanagan Lake - Peachland
• Okanagan Lake - Penticton
• Okanagan Lake - Vernon
• Okanagan Lake - Westbank
• Okanagan Lake - Winfield
• Rose Valley Lake
• State Lake
• Taurus Lake
• Thone Lake
• Wilma Lake
• Wood (Westwold) Lake - North
• Wood (Westwold) Lake - South

Laidlaw

• Fraser - Bulger Road Bar
• Fraser - Cheam View Bar
• Fraser - Cheam View Hole
• Fraser - Gold Dredge Bar
• Fraser - Hunter Creek Bar
• Fraser - Jones Creek Bar
• Fraser - St Elmo Road Bar

Lumby

• Greenbush Lake
• Holstein Lake
• Keefer Lake - East
• Keefer Lake - West
• Nevertouch Lake

Manning

• Flash Lake
• Lightning Lake - North
• Lightning Lake - South
• Nicomen Lake
• Poland Lake
• Thunder Lake

Merritt

• Boss Lake (Merritt)
• Courtney Lake
• Davis Lake (Merritt)
• Englishmen Lake
• Garcia Lake
• Harmon Lake
• Kane Lake - Lower
• Kane Lake - Upper
• Thalia Lake

Mission

• Allan Lake
• Alouette Lake - North
• Alouette Lake - South
• Campbell Lake
• Chehalis Lake - North
• Chehalis Lake - South
• Devils Lake - Mission
• Dickson Lake
• Elbow Lake
• Florence Lake
• Fraser - Beharrel Road Bar
• Fraser - Chester Street Bar
• Fraser - Co-op Bar
• Fraser - D Herbomez Cr Mouth Bar
• Fraser - Deroche Bar
• Fraser - Dewdney Nature Regional Park
• Fraser - Dewdney-Prairie Bar
• Fraser - Farmer Bar
• Fraser - Galdwin Road Bar
• Fraser - Glenmore Road Bar
• Fraser - Lower Hatzic Slough
• Fraser - Lower Nicomen Slough
• Fraser - McDonald Landing Bar
• Fraser - Mission Railway Bridge Sturgeon Hole
• Fraser - Quaamitch Slough Mouth
• Fraser - Ridgedale Bar
• Fraser - Slaughterhouse Bar
• Fraser - Standard Gaz Bar
• Fraser - Stave River Bridge Bar
• Fraser - Strawberry Island
• Fraser - Upper Nicomen Slough
• Fraser - Upper Ridgedale Bar
• Fraser - Wingdam Bar
• Hatzic Lake
• Hayward Lake - North
• Hayward Lake - South
• Hoover Lake
• Kenyon Lake
• Mike Lake
• Morgan Lake
• Rolley Lake
• Salsbury Lake
• Sayres Lake

Naramata

• Big Meadow Lake
• Elinor Lake

Okanagan Falls

• Allendale Lake

Oliver

• Green Lake Oliver
• Madden Lake
• Ripley Lake
• Vaseux Lake - North
• Vaseux Lake - South

Osoyoos

• Kilpoola Lake
• Osoyoos Lake - North
• Osoyoos Lake - Osoyoos
• Osoyoos Lake - South

Peachland

• Brenda Lake
• Dobbin Lake
• Glen Lake
• Headwater #1 Lake
• Headwater #2 Lake
• Islaht Lake
• West Lake

Pemberton

• Birkenhead Lake - North
• Birkenhead Lake - South
• Blackwater Lake
• Cerulean Lake
• Duffey Lake - East
• Duffey Lake - West
• Fire Lake - North
• Fire Lake - South
• Gates Lake
• Glacier Lake - North
• Glacier Lake - South
• Gun Lake - North
• Gun Lake - South
• Gwyneth Lake
• Mosquito Lake
• Tenquille Lake

Penticton

• Idleback Lake
• Naramata Lake
• Skaha Lake - East
• Skaha Lake - Felis Sreek
• Skaha Lake - Gillies Creek
• Skaha Lake - Kaleden
• Skaha Lake - McLean Creek
• Skaha Lake - NorthEast
• Skaha Lake - NorthWest
• Skaha Lake - South
• Yellow Lake - East
• Yellow Lake - West

Princeton

• Alleyne Lake
• Allison Lake (Princeton)
• Bluey Lake
• Chain Lake (Princeton)
• Dry Lake (Princeton)
• Gladstone Lake
• Harvey Hall Lake
• Hook Lake (Princeton)
• Issitz Lake
• Kentucky Lake
• Ketcham Lake
• Kump Lake
• Laird Lake (Princeton)
• Link Lake (Princeton)
• McCaffrey Lake
• Missezula Lake - North
• Missezula Lake - South
• Osprey Lake (Princeton)
• Rampart Lake
• Summit Lake
• Tahla Lake
• Wolfe Lake

Rosedale

• Fraser - Cattermole Slough
• Fraser - Halvorsen Road Bar
• Fraser - Herrling Island Bar
• Fraser - Julseth Road Bar
• Fraser - Lower Herrling Island Bar
• Fraser - Popkum Bar

Squamish

• Alice Lake
• Brohm Lake
• Browning Lake
• Cat Lake
• Edith Lake
• Evans Lake
• Fawn Lake
• Garibaldi Lake
• Hut Lake
• Levette Lake
• Marion Lake
• Norton Lake
• Stump Lake

Summerland

• Darke Lake
• Garnet Lake - North
• Garnet Lake - South

Tappen

• Skimikin Lake
• White Lake (Tappen)

Tulameen

• Green Lake Tulameen
• Lodwick Lake
• Murphy Lake - Lower
• Murphy Lake - Upper
• Otter Lake (Tulameen) - North
• Otter Lake (Tulameen) - South

Vancouver

• Buntzen Lake - North
• Buntzen Lake - South
• Como Lake
• Cypress Lake
• Deer Lake - Vancouver
• Lafarge Lake
• Sasamat Lake
• Widgeon Lake

Vedder - Lower River

• Vedder - BC Electric Bridge
• Vedder - Bergman Road
• Vedder - Browne Road
• Vedder - Kurtains
• Vedder - Lickman Road
• Vedder - Wilson Road
• Vedder - Yarrow Campground

Vedder - Middle River

• Vedder - Midgley Pool
• Vedder - On The Way
• Vedder - On The Way Lower Bar
• Vedder - Twin Cedars
• Vedder - Twin Cedars Lower
• Vedder - Ways Field

Vedder - Tamahi Bridge

• Vedder - Allison Canyon
• Vedder - Anderson Run
• Vedder - Bell Acres
• Vedder - Boulder Hole
• Vedder - Chilliwach Road
• Vedder - End of the Road
• Vedder - Fort Apache
• Vedder - Lower Anderson Run
• Vedder - Nickersons
• Vedder - Shellers
• Vedder - Tamahi Bridge
• Vedder - Tamahi Pool
• Vedder - Tamahi Rapids
• Vedder - Wash Out
• Vedder - Willows

Vedder - Upper River

• Vedder - Borden Creek
• Vedder - Boundary Hole
• Vedder - Butterfly
• Vedder - Cedar
• Vedder - Cement Slab
• Vedder - Nursery Creek
• Vedder - Ranger Run
• Vedder - Thurston Meadows

Vedder Canal

• Vedder - Canal 1st Bar
• Vedder - Canal 2nd Bar
• Vedder - Canal 3rd Bar
• Vedder - Hwy 1 Bridge
• Vedder - Keith Wilson Bridge
• Vedder - Pillings

Vedder Crossing

• Vedder - Camp Run
• Vedder - Crossing Bridge
• Vedder - Doctors Pool
• Vedder - Gun Barrel
• Vedder - Peach Road
• Vedder - Simpsons Pit
• Vedder - Soowahlie Pool
• Vedder - Teskeys Rock
• Vedder - Upper Peach Pool

Vernon

• Aberdeen Lake - East
• Aberdeen Lake - West
• Bardolph Lake
• Becker Lake
• Echo Lake (Vernon)
• Goose Lake (Vernon)
• Kalamalka Lake - Kekuli Bai
• Kalamalka Lake - North
• Kalamalka Lake - NorthEast
• Kalamalka Lake - Rattlesnake Point
• Kalamalka Lake - South
• Mabel Lake - North
• Mabel Lake - Shuswap River
• Mabel Lake - South
• Mara Lake - North
• Mara Lake - Six Mile Point
• Mara Lake - South
• Nicklen Lake
• Otter Lake (Vernon) - North
• Otter Lake (Vernon) - South
• Oyama Lake - East
• Oyama Lake - West
• Round Lake (Vernon)
• Square Lake (Vernon)
• Streak Lake (Vernon)
• Sugar Lake - North
• Sugar Lake - South
• Swan Lake - North
• Swan Lake - South

Westbank

• Jackpine Lake

Westbridge

• Conkle Lake
• Hoodoo Lake
• Williamson Lake

Whistler

• Alpha Lake
• Alta Lake
• Callaghan Lake
• Cheakamus Lake - NorthWest
• Cheakamus Lake - SouthEast
• Green Lake
• Nita Lake
• Showh Lake – North
• Showh Lake – South

Winfield

• Crooked Lake

• Dee Lake (Winfield)

• Deer Lake (Winfield)

• Island Lake (Winfield)

• Swalwell Lake - East

• Swalwell Lake - West

Chinook Salmon (also known as spring, tyee and king)

Fishing Chinook salmon in marine phase

Black gums and a silver, spotted tail distinguish the chinook from other salmonids. It has a lightly spotted blue-green back and is the largest, most prized game fish. The chinook lives from three to seven years. It weighs between 1.5 kg and 30 kg. Average-size chinooks are often known as springs in B.C. Those over 13.5 kg are called tyees, and in the U.S., chinook are called king salmon.

Fishing chinook salmon in freshwater phase

Fresh run fish are very similar in appearance to salt water fish - lightly spotted blue-green back, black gums and a silver, spotted tail. As chinook mature, they become very dark in colour - some dark reddish, and others almost black.

Coho Salmon (also known as blueback and silver)

Fishing coho salmon in marine phase

Coho have white gums, black tongues and a few spots on the upper portion of their bodies and silver-coloured tails. They have a wide tail base. Bright silver with a metallic blue dorsal surface. Coho usually live for three years and grow rapidly in their final year. They weigh between 1.3 kg and 14 kg. In the Strait of Georgia from April to early June, small coho passing from the grilse stage to maturity are called bluebacks. 

Fishing coho salmon in freshwater phase

Fresh run coho are very similar in appearance to salt water fish - bright silver with a metallic blue dorsal surface, and a wide tail base with a few spots on the upper portion of their silver-coloured tails. As coho mature, the males become reddish on the sides, and green on the back and head, often dark on belly. Females are less strongly coloured.

Sockeye Salmon (also known as red salmon)

Fishing sockeye salmon in marine phase

The sockeye is almost toothless, with numerous long gill rakers and prominent, glassy eyes. The slimmest and most streamlined of the Pacific species, the silver-blue sockeye lives from four to five years. It usually weighs between 2.2 kg and 3.1 kg but can reach 6.3 kg. Young sockeye remain in fresh-water nursery lakes a year or more before migrating to the sea.

Each sockeye salmon you keep must be at least 30 cm long. 

Fishing sockeye salmon in freshwater phase

Maturing sockeye have a distinctive silvery-purplish tinge. As he becomes more mature, the male acquires a pale green head, dark hooked jaws, humped back and bright red body with red fins. The female is generally the same with green and yellow blotches on the body, although the colour is less pronounced and she does not develop a hump or hooked jaw. In most runs mature fish are bright scarlet.

Pink Salmon (also known as humpy)

Fishing pink salmon in marine phase

Pink salmon have tiny scales and a tail heavily marked with large oval spots. Unlike the other salmon species, the tail of a pink has no silver in it. In the sea, pinks have silver bodies with spotted backs. They are the smallest of the Pacific salmon, usually weighing about 2.2 kg, but occasionally reaching 5.5 kg. They are more abundant in northern waters in even-numbered years and in southern waters in odd-numbered years. Pinks live only two years.

Each pink salmon you keep must be at least 30 cm long. 

Fishing pink salmon in freshwater phase

Mature males are yellowish gray on the sides of their body, blotched with brown, and dark along back. Females are olive green on the sides of their body with dusky stripes. Both males and females appear dirty white below the lateral line, and their tails have large oval spots.

Chum Salmon (also known as dog salmon)

Fishing chum salmon in marine phase

A white tip on the anal fin usually identifies a chum salmon. Resembling sockeye, but larger, chum have silvery sides and faint grid-like bars as they near spawning streams. The tail base is narrow and there is silver in the tail. They live three to five years and weigh about 4.5 kg to 6.5 kg, but they have been known to reach as much as 15 kg.

Each chum salmon you keep must be at least 30 cm long. 

Fishing chum salmon in freshwater phase

Maturing chum in freshwater show reddish purple streaks or bars and large pale blotches on a pale background, and white on the tips of pelvic and anal fins. They have a greenish tinge on their dorsal surface (back), and no dark spots on caudal fin.
　

Fishing Trout 

Trout includes steelhead, dolly varden, cutthroat trout, brown trout and bull trout.

Wild trout are those with an adipose fin. Hatchery trout are those with a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

Steelhead

The fork length of a steelhead is 50 cm or more. They do not have teeth in the throat at the back of the
tongue.

Dolly Varden

These fish have small heads, and oval snake-like bodies.

Cutthroat

This trout species has a large mouth that extends well past the eye, and teeth in the throat at the back of the tongue. They also have a lot of spots from front to back.

South of a line due west from Cape Caution

• wild trout: catch and release only.
• hatchery trout: 2, none of which may be less than 30 cm.

North of a line due west from Cape Caution

• hatchery and wild trout: 2, only one of which may be greater than 50 cm.
  None may be less than 30 cm.

Exotic Alert: Atlantic Salmon in B.C.

These fish are raised commercially in pens in the marine waters of B.C. and Washington State. They are distinguished from the Pacific salmon species by 2 to 3 large black spots on the gill cover, and cross-hatched spots along their body, above the lateral line. They have large scales and the tail fin is usually unspotted, and some may have eroded tails and/or dorsal fins. Federal and provincial biologists are interested in verifying these Atlantic salmon recoveries. Please note the date and location of the catch, keep the whole fish cool (do not clean) and freeze it, if possible, to prevent deterioration of the tissues. Contact the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program : 1-800-811-6010.

Atlantic salmon can be identified by:

• 8-11 anal fin rays (Pacific salmon have 11-13 rays)
• very noticeable, large, black spots on the gill cover (not common on native salmon)

• may have very noticeably eroded or worn fins from containment in net-pens

Angling Finfish

Spiny Dogfish

Spiny dogfish are mediumsized sharks with dark gray or brown on the back and pale gray or white on the belly; small dogfish have irregular white spots on their back or sides.  Average length is between 75 and 105 cm, however large females can be 160 cm and 10 kg. Both dorsal fins are preceded by spines. Spiny dogfish live 25 to 30 years.

Due to relatively high levels of mercury in the tissues of large (and older) dogfish, it is recommended you eat only those fish measuring less than 60 cm. The daily limit is 20.

Eulachon

Eulachon, also known as oolakan and candlefish, are small (20 to 25 cm) fish found from Alaska to California. They are distinguished from other smelt by the presence of common centre rings, running parallel to each other, on the gill plate and having the pelvic fins in front of the dorsal fin.

When fishing by means of a gillnet for eulachon or smelt, the net cannot exceed 7.5 m in length and the mesh size must be greater than 25 mm, but less than 50 mm. Check current limits.

Flatfish (Flounder & Sole)

As larvae, flatfish resemble other fish in having an eye on each side of their head. However, the skull changes so that both eyes are on one
side of the head when they become young adults. Both eyes are on the dark-coloured side of the body, while the other side is eyeless and white. Flatfish lie on the bottom with the dark-coloured side up; some can change colour to match their surrounding environment. Flatfish are oval or diamond-shaped and have long dorsal and anal fins. Most flatfish are “dextral”, which means the eyes and pigment are on their right side.

Sole/Flounder are often misidentified as small halibut. They can be found in waters up to 305 meters deep, and may be fished using the same methods as for halibut. The combined daily limit for flounder and sole is 8.

Greenling

Greenlings are a small, elongated fish with a long dorsal fin split into long sections; one along the spine area, and the other along the anal fin area. Most are inshore species foraging in rocky habitat or kelp and eelgrass beds. The two species of interest to anglers are the kelp greenling and the lingcod. Kelp greenlings reach approximately 50 cm in length, and have small mouths and five centre lines on each side. The sexes are coloured differently: males are brown with blue spots on the head and back, while females are golden-brown with red spots.

Found in shallow, sometimes intertidal areas with rocky or weedy bottoms, greenling are easy to catch. They will take almost any bait or lure. Although they are often mistaken for lingcod, they do not reach the same size. They may also share a similar olive hue but tend to be much more brightly coloured. The daily limit is 3.

Halibut

Halibut are the largest flatfish species in B.C.
They are mottled olive-green, brown or black on the dark coloured side and white on opposite.
The mouth is large with cone-shaped teeth and the tail is broad and slightly forked. Females are larger than males growing up to 267 cm in length and weighing 226 kg. Male’s maximum size is 140 cm and 56 kg.

No one may fish for or retain halibut from January 1-31. Visit halibut for more information.

Halibut Length-Net Weight Table

Herring

Pacific herring are silvery fish that form huge schools. They are blue-green on the back and silver below, with large, toothless mouths and large eyes. Unlike shad or sardines, they have no spots and they have large scales, unlike smelts. Although they can reach lengths of 46 cm, most in B.C. are less than 25 cm.

This small fish is the foremost baitfish in the Pacific Northwest, utilized by recreational salmon anglers who fillet it into "strip" for trolling and casting. They may be caught by herring jig or rake, or by using a dip or cast net. The daily limit for herring is 20 kilograms.

Lingcod

Lingcod are large predators with huge mouths armed with numerous sharp teeth. They are brown with darker marks of different colours, spots or shades on the back and sides. Female lingcod grow to 150 cm, although males rarely exceed 100 cm.

Biological assessments have indicated that lingcod stocks in the Strait of Georgia waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland are severely depressed and require protection if the stocks are to rebuild.

In those areas where lingcod can be retained, record your catch immediately on your licence.

There is a minimum size limit of 65 cm in Areas 11, 12 and 20 to 27. The length of a lingcod means the distance measured along the body from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. The minimum size limit for a lingcod with the head removed is 53 cm, measured along the shortest length of the body to the tip of the tail. The pectoral fins should remain attached.

Rockfish are bass-like in appearance, with large mouths and eyes, spines on the head and gill plates, and prominent fins. Colour varies between species with shallow water rockfish generally having dark colours (green, brown or black) and deep water species usually orange or red. There are 35 species of rockfish known from British Columbia. Depending on the species, rockfish can range from 18 cm in length up to 120 cm.

Inshore rockfish need your help. Catch monitoring and research programs have indicated inshore rockfish stocks in the Strait of Georgia are at very low levels of abundance. Rockfish are very slow growing and do not reproduce until they are quite old, from 7 to 20 years, depending on the species. They also live for a long time; the maximum age for yelloweye rockfish is 118 years and 95 years for quillback rockfish.

Unlike salmon, rockfish rarely survive after being caught, therefore one way to ensure their survival is to avoid catching them. Another way is to fish away from rocky reef areas.

DFO has initiated a rockfish recovery strategy, which includes Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs). RCAs have been established to help protect rockfish by restricting fishing activity in and around the waters where these fish live.

Permitted sport fishing activity in an RCA includes:

• hand picking or diving for invertebrates
• fishing for crab or prawn by trap
• fishing for smelt by gillnet
  　

Sardine

Pacific Sardines, commonly called pilchards, are a small migratory fish related to herring and shad. Sardines migrate to B.C. from California during the late summer and remain until the fall when they migrate back to California to spawn. They can be recognized by a row of black spots on the sides of the body under the scales. Sardines are most frequently encountered off the west coast of Vancouver Island during years when warm El Niño waters are prevalent. They are rarely found inside the Strait of Georgia.
The daily limit is 100.

Smelt

Smelt are relatively small, silvery fish. They move in large schools along the coastline during migration to their spawning grounds on beaches and in estuaries. Smelt usually reach only 15 cm.

Smelt fishing is closed from June 15 to August 15 inclusive, in waters of the Lower Mainland east of a line from Reception Point on the Sechelt Peninsula, to Thrasher Rock Light and to the most westerly point of the International Boundary in the Strait of Georgia. These same waters are also closed to sport fishing for smelt from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Thursday at all other times of the year. 

When fishing for smelt or eulachon by means of a gillnet, the net cannot exceed 7.5 m in length and the mesh size must be greater than 25 mm, but less than 50 mm. 
A floating buoy clearly marked with the name of the owner must be attached to each end of the net. The daily limit is 100.

Stanley Park smelt fishers

Fishing for smelt in Stanley Park requires special consideration of other users of the seawall. Dip net fishers must ensure that they do not pull their net poles back into the paths of passing pedestrians or cyclists. Gill-netters should pick their nets in such a fashion as to avoid leaving scales and parts of the fish on the path, making it slippery for others. In addition, gillnets must not block or impede traffic on the seawall. Garbage and waste must be placed in Parks Board garbage cans, and public washrooms available in the park must be used at all times.

Pacific Spirit Park smelt fishers

Pacific Spirit Park includes all beaches from the Fraser River's north arm around Point Grey to Acadia Beach, near Spanish Banks Beach. Park hours from the start of Daylight Saving Time to Labour Day - 8 am to 9 pm. All other days - 8 am to dusk. Fishers are not allowed to access the park outside of these hours. Liquor, camping and fires are not permitted in the park.

Please observe the rules.

Sturgeon

Sturgeon are made up of a tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue (cartilage), and can grow to six metres long and weigh over 600 kg. Their elongate body usually ranges from greenish grey on the back to light grey or white on the belly. Instead of scales, their bodies have five rows large armour-like plates know as scutes. They have long noses and projecting mouths, located on the lower part of the head, accompanied by four fleshy whiskers known as barbels. There are two species of sturgeon in B.C.; both white and green sturgeon occur inshore and in large river systems. Only the smaller green sturgeon can be found further offshore.

In all tidal waters there is no retention of sturgeon. 

In the tidal waters of the Fraser River, barbless hooks are required.

If fishing for sturgeon, an angler may only use one line, and must release any sturgeon caught. The B.C. government has also taken action to protect sturgeon in the non-tidal portion of the Fraser River, and have a tagging program in place. See the provincial regulations.

Surfperch

Surfperch have compressed deep bodies with large eyes and relatively small mouths. The striped seaperch sports bright blue and gold stripes; the pile perch is silvery with black vertical bars; and the shiner perch is silver with vertical gold bars. The shiner perch is the smallest surfperch, reaching 20 mm in length, while the pile perch is the largest, growing up to 45 cm in length.

Perch give birth to low numbers of live young and may be subject to local population depletion in areas of high fishing pressure. It is requested that anglers release all perch, that will not be retained, with the least possible harm. The combined daily limit of perch is 8.

　

Angling Shellfish

Shellfish refers to aquatic invertebrate (without a backbone) animals. Shellfish such as crabs, clams and sea urchins have a hard outer shell, however some species such as squid, sea cucumbers, and octopus the shells are hidden or absent.

Bivalve molluscs
are shellfish with two shells, such
as clams, oysters, scallops and cockles.

ABALONE

Northern abalone have thin, oval shells with an irregular reddish or greenish upper surface, sometimes marked with blue or white, and often overgrown with encrusting organisms. The interior is iridescent white with a faint pink and green sheen. There is a series of three to six raised holes allowing water currents to pass over the abalone’s gills.

Due to serious conservation concerns, the entire coast of B.C. is CLOSED to harvest of abalone. Northern (or pinto) abalone are protected in Canada under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Illegal harvest is considered to be the most significant threat to northern abalone recovery.

Help stop the illegal harvest and sale of abalone - report violations to 1-800-465-4336. For further information, visit the abalone website.

CLAMS

The five clam species of primary interest to fishers are Manila, native littleneck, butter, razor and varnish clams. Manila and littleneck clams are similar in appearance, both possessing lines that go up and across on the outer surface of their shells. Manilas are elongated in profile and purple on the inside of the shells, while littlenecks are round with white on the inside of the shells. Butter clams are large and thick shelled, with only common centre lines on the shells. Both varnish and razor clams have a shiny brown covering on the outer surface of the shells.

Varnish clams are round in profile with a large external ligament at the hinge, while razor clams are oblong in shape. Manila, littleneck, butter and varnish clams live in gravel and sand beaches in protected bays. Razor clams live on wave-swept sand beaches open to the Pacific Ocean.

The Lower Mainland area is closed to clam harvesting.

The most effective method for digging manila clams is an ordinary short-tined garden rake. On beaches with extensive populations of littleneck clams, diggers use long-tined rakes. The butter clams, lying further below the surface and further down the beach, are usually dug with a garden-type, long-handled potato fork. Razor clams are dug individually with a short-handled, thin-bladed shovel. Harvesters are encouraged to fill in holes to reduce predation on exposed juvenile clams. 

Manila Clams        Butter Clam

Razor Clam             LittleNeck Clam

Varnish Clam

Immediately prior to harvesting, check for shellfish closures with the nearest DFO office, or by calling 604-666-2828, or visit the sewage and biotoxin contamination closures website for PSP and other shellfish closures.

Daily limits vary according to area and species. Check the shellfish table for limits. 

CRABS

Crabs have three to four pairs of walking legs and a pair of claws that are used for feeding and defence. Female crabs carry egg clusters on the underside of their bodies.

Crabs shed their old shell in order to grow, increasing in size before the new shell hardens, in a process called molting. Although there are nearly 100 species of crab in B.C., the two species of most interest to fishers are Dungeness crab and Red Rock crab. Dungeness crabs are graybrown on the back and yellow underneath, and their claws have white tips. Red Rock crabs are brick red above and white below, and their claws have black tips.

Dungeness crab must be at least 165 mm in width. Redrock crab must measure at least 115 mm. Undersized crab must be returned to the water immediately. A crab is measured in a straight line through the widest part of the carapace, or shell, from outside the points. Harvesters are advised to measure crabs using a caliper device.

Redrock Crab                                  Pacific (Dungeness) Crab

For information on harvesting crabs, visit Crabs and Crabbing.

MUSSELS

Mussels have bluish-black shells curved in a distinctive “D” shape, like a flattened teardrop. The inside of the shell is pearly violet or white. Projecting from between the shells on the flat side is a bundle of tough, brown byssal threads, which are used to anchor the mussel to hard surfaces. Inshore waters support the native blue mussel, which can reach nine cm in length. Wave-swept rocky shores have beds of the larger California mussel, which grows to 25 cm in length. The Blue mussel has a smooth outer shell surface with growth rings, while the California mussel has raised radial ribs.

Immediately prior to harvesting, check for shellfish closures with the nearest DFO office, or by calling 604-666-2828, or visit the sewage and biotoxin contamination closures website for PSP and other shellfish closures.

Check the shellfish table for limits. In the Pacific Rim National Park the combined daily limit for mussels is 12.

OCTOPUS

The octopus has eight tentacles that sometimes stretch 4.8 m across in a 45 kg specimen. The octopus is a mollusc that is related to the squid, oyster, clam and snail. The giant Pacific octopus is the major species on the west coast and also the world's largest. It is illegal to use jigs, gaffs, spears, rakes or any other sharp-pointed instrument to take octopus. It is recommended that harvesters use a very sharp knife to kill Octopus quickly.

Daily limit is 1.
　

OYSTERS

Pacific oysters are large shellfish that are the primary species cultured in southern B.C. Their shells are thick with a rough sculptured appearance. Shell colour varies: the outside is a combination of browns, greens and grays, often with sharp purple fluting near the edges. The interior is white and satin smooth. The two shells of the oyster are held together by a ligament at the hinge and a large adductor muscle.

The North Coast (Areas 1-11) is closed to the harvest of oysters due to PSP concerns.

The Lower Mainland area is closed to oyster harvesting.

Immediately prior to harvesting, check for shellfish closures with the nearest DFO office, or by calling 604-666-2828, or visit the sewage and biotoxin contamination closures website for PSP and other shellfish closures.

Return oyster shells to the beach, preferably where you collected them. Oyster larvae survive at a much better rate if they settle on the old shells. 

NOTE: Permission is required to harvest oysters from marked oyster farms.

Check the shellfish table for limits.

Olympia Oysters

The Olympia oyster (Ostrea conchaphila) is the only native oyster along the west coast of Canada. It is a small oyster species, with a maximum reported size of 9 cm, although most individuals are less than 5 cm. Large clusters of Olympia oysters once existed in the Strait of Georgia, however only small groupings have survived. They exist in a few sites on the west coast of Vancouver Island but little information exists on populations in Johnstone Strait or the Central and North Coasts. Given the history of poor resilience to directed harvests and the relatively limited number of sites where Olympias occur, recreational fishers are asked to not disturb these oysters.

Fishing restrictions may be introduced in the future.
　

SCALLOPS

Of the 10 species of scallop known from B.C., only four are of interest to fishers. Spiny and pink scallops are relatively small (less than 10 cm) and reddish in colour. Weathervane scallops are large (15 to 20 cm) with brown upper shells and whitish lower shells. Rock scallops are large (up to at least 20 cm) with thick, rough shells often overgrown with encrusting organisms. Spiny, pink and weathervane scallops are swimming scallops, while adult rock scallops attach themselves to objects.The North Coast (Areas 1-11) is closed to the harvest of rock, pink, spiny and weathervane scallops due to PSP concerns. 

Immediately prior to harvesting, check for shellfish closures with the nearest DFO office, or by calling 604-666-2828, or visit the sewage and biotoxin contamination closures website for PSP and other shellfish closures.

Check the shellfish table for limits.

For more information about scallops.

SEA CUCUMBERS

The daily limit for sea cucumbers is 12. 

For more information on sea cucumbers.

 

SEA URCHINS

The daily limit for sea urchins is 12.

For more information on sea urchins.

 

 

SHRIMP & PRAWNS

Shrimp have two body sections protected by a hard outer covering called a carapace. They sport antennae, eyes, mouthparts, and feeding and walking legs. The muscular abdomen extends behind the carapace and has swimming legs and a fanlike tail. Most shrimp live three years: one as a juvenile, one as a male and one as a female. Five of the 85 species of shrimp found in B.C. are of interest to fishers: coonstripe, humpback, smooth and spiny pink shrimp, and prawns. Coonstripe shrimp are red-brown with irregular brown and white oblique lines on the carapace and abdomen. Humpback shrimp are red-tan with dark red and bright white markings.Pink shrimp are uniform translucent red. Prawns, the largest shrimp in B.C. (25 cm in length), are red with white horizontal bars on the carapace and at least two pairs of white spots on the abdomen. Coonstripe shrimp live in shallow water on or near pilings and floats; humpback shrimp on soft or hard bottoms; pink shrimp on soft bottom; and prawns in rocky areas.

The daily limit for shrimp is 200 and the possession limit is 400.

For conservation purposes, prawns carrying eggs under their tail should be released.

Check the shellfish table for limits.

Visit shrimp and prawns for further information on harvesting and gear.

SQUID

Squid are swimming soft-bodied animals characterized by a muscular tube called the mantle. The mantle has fins at the narrow end, contains the internal organs and is open at the end supporting the head, arms and tentacles.

Squid have large eyes, 10 arms and two feeding tentacles that have suckers and sometimes hooks on pads at the ends. They swim slowly using their fins and force water from the mantle through a siphon for burst of greater speed. Depending on activity level, squid change colour rapidly. Three species are of interest to B.C. fishers: opal squid, neon flying squid and Humboldt squid. Opal squid are relatively small (up to 13 cm in B.C.) and are pale lavender in colour. They are found in inshore waters, most noticeably when they gather in large schools to spawn in shallow water. Neon flying squid are relatively large (up to 100 cm and 5 kg). They are mauve on the upper surface and silvery or gold below; the tentacle sucker rings are distinctivewith four large teeth and numerous smaller teeth in between. Humboldt squid are very large (up to 200 cm and 45 kg) and are brown or red in colour.

Please Note:
Make sure you know what the size and catch limits are for the species that you intend to harvest.

Provincial Parks, National Parks, and ecological reserves, may have species limits or restrictions. Be sure to check with the local DFO office or Park Office prior to harvesting.

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

Plants and animals which do not occur naturally in an area are referred to as aquatic invasive species (AIS). In marine waters, some AIS have been introduced for commercial reasons. Pacific oysters and Manila clams are prime examples of such species on the West Coast. Other, not so welcome exotic species, may arrive in the ballast water of foreign ships, on the propeller or hull of recreational boats, through pet stores, research institutions, or with live imported bait or seafood.

AIS can be detrimental to our native populations of plants and animals. Your help in documenting aquatic invasive species in our waters is needed.

European Green Crab

The European green Crab (Carcinus maenas), has arrived in B.C. waters. Surveys conducted in 2006 found green crab in Barkely Sound, Clayquot Sound, Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet. Green crab may pose a serious threat to estuarine and marine ecosystems on the West Coast of North America as they are voracious predators feeding on a variety of intertidal plants and animals, including oysters, mussels, clams and juvenile crabs.

How to identify:
five lateral carapace spines; carapace width up to 10 cm;
three rounded lobes between eyes; rear legs are flattened for swimming;
colour varies from yellow/green to reddish/brown for live animals and
‘washed or baked’ red for moults.

Tunicate Species

Several exotic tunicate (sea squirt) species have invaded Canadian waters. At least six of these species have been reported in B.C. and most are the focus of ongoing monitoring and research projects. Those of concern include individual or solitary tunicates (clubbed tunicate and vase tunicate) and grouped or colonial tunicates (golden star tunicate, violet tunicate). Tunicates generally are found on a variety of submerged structures (e.g.: docks, buoys, ropes, anchors, pilings, boat hulls, etc.). Many of the exotic tunicate species have the ability to overgrow native species affecting community structure and dynamics.

How to identify:
colonial tunicates grow in dense colonies of individual organisms (zooids) with a gelatinous texture. Solitary tunicates can be distinguished by the arrangement of the zooids.

Mitten Crab

Mitten crabs, originally from Asia, are another exotic species to North America. This crab poses a serious threat to freshwater and tidal water ecosystems, and was first discovered on the west coast of California in 1992. There is reason to believe that they could migrate into B.C. waters.

Mitten crabs live in freshwater but migrate to tidal water to reproduce (they are the only freshwater crab in North America). They can eat salmon, trout and sturgeon eggs and may threaten successful spawning of these species. They have also been known to damage fish habitat due to erosion of river banks.

These crabs are easily identifiable by two hairy, equal-sized claws. They have a notch between the eyes and may be up to 100 mm wide. The colour of Mitten crabs varies from light brown to olive green.

Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels, a freshwater mollusc, are an introduced or exotic species to Canada. They were introduced to the Great Lakes System in 1988 and have spread rapidly to inland lake systems in Ontario, likely aided by recreational boating traffic.

Zebra mussels are invisible to the naked eye in their early life stages (called veliger), when they can be transferred unknowingly in pipes, live wells, bilge water and baitfish buckets. They are generally found in shallow (6-30 feet), algae-rich water.

Where Zebra mussels have colonized, often in large clusters, they have clogged municipal and industrial water intake lines, covered boat hulls, fouled beaches, killed native clams and disrupted lake ecosystems.

At three weeks, they begin to form hard shells and will resemble loose gravel or silt. Even at this early stage, Zebra mussels can attach to hard objects by "holdfasts" –strong, tough, byssal threads.

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Angling Licenses

Fishing Regulations request each angler must have his fishing license with him all the time when he goes fishing.

Tidal Water (For Finfish, Shellfish)

Canadians: Basic+Salmon Stamp

• Annual: Adult $22.47, Senior 11.77, Child $0, Salmon Stamp $6.42

• 5-Day Angling: $16.08, Salmon Stamp $6.42

• 3-Day Angling: $11.55, Salmon Stamp $6.42

• 1-Day Angling: $5.51, Salmon Stamp $6.42

Foreigners: Basic+Salmon Stamp

• Annual: Adult $106.05, Senior 106.05, Child $0, Salmon Stamp $6.42

• 5-Day Angling: $32.55, Salmon Stamp $6.42

• 3-Day Angling: $19.95, Salmon Stamp $6.42

• 1-Day Angling: $7.35, Salmon Stamp $6.42

Note: Child (Under 16 years of age), Senior (Over 65 years of age), Adult (Between 16 and 64). If the child has his/her own license, he/she must be capable of fishing independently. If no, the parents or guardians must have and the quota will count to that of parents or guardians.

Fresh Water

Resident: Basic+Salmon+Steelhead+Rainbow Trout+Classified Water Stamp

• Annual: Adult $36, Disabled $1, Senior $1, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

• 8-Day Angling: $20, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

• 1-Day Angling: $10, SSalmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

Non-Resident: Basic+Salmon+Steelhead+Rainbow Trout+Classified Water Stamp

• Annual: Adult $55, Disabled $55, Senior $55, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

• 8-Day Angling: $36, Disabled $36, Senior $36, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

• 1-Day Angling: $20, Disabled $20, Senior $20, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

Foreigner: Basic+Salmon+Steelhead+Rainbow Trout+Classified Water Stamp

• Annual: Adult $80, Disabled $80, Senior $80, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

• 8-Day Angling: $50, Disabled $50 Senior $50, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

• 1-Day Angling: $20, Disabled $20, Senior $20, Child No, Salmon $15, Steelhead $25, Rainbow Trout $10, Classified Water $15

Half-Day Fishing Salmon Tour

• Time: From August to November.

• Place: Richmond, Fraser River, Vedder River, Chilliwack River.

• Fish: Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, Chum.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, float, wool, cockie, Spoon, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

One-Day Fishing Salmon Tour

• Time: From August to November.

• Place: Hope, Fraser River, Vedder River, Chilliwack River.

• Fish: Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, Chum.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, float, wool, cockie, Spoon, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

Half-Day Fishing Trout Tour

• Time: From May to August.

• Place: Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam.

• Fish: Trout.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, float, wool, cockie, Spoon, Powerbait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

One-Day Fishing Trout Tour

• Time: From May to August.

• Place: Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, Mission, Harrison.

• Fish: Trout.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, float, wool, cockie, Spoon, Powerbait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

Half-Day Fishing Sturgeon Tour

• Time: From April to October.

• Place: Richmond.

• Fish: Sturgeon.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, bait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

One-Day Fishing Sturgeon Tour

• Time: From April to October.

• Place: Richmond.

• Fish: Sturgeon.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, bait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

Half-Day Fishing Dogfish Tour

• Time: From April to October.

• Place: Vancouver, Delta.

• Fish: Dogfish.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, bait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

One-Day Fishing Dogfish Tour

• Time: From April to October.

• Place: Vancouver, Delta.

• Fish: Dogfish.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, bait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.

Half-Day Fishing Whitefish Tour

• Time: From April to October.

• Place: Richmond, Delta.

• Fish: Whitefish.

• Tackle: Free rental of fishing rod, reel, line, swivel, leader, weight, hook, bait, not including wader and others related to the water.

• Requirement: Minimum 4 people, not including transportation, license fees, accommodation.