Fishing in BC
British Columbia, Canada EH!

Sports Fishing in British Columbia, Canada is a very popular activity for many. The landscape of BC is an ideal environment for fresh water and salt water fishing. The looming mountain ranges and low lying valleys located throughout the province help create and continue to protect thousands and thousands of streams, rivers and lakes. And then... on the westcoast of British Columbia is the powerful and unpredictable Pacific Ocean.

The province of British Columbia has always been a top fly fishing destination for trout when visiting in Canada. Fly fishing can be enjoyed from every region in the province. Some of the more popular fresh water destinations in the province to fish include Campbell River, Smithers, Houston, Nelson, Logan Lake, 100 Mile House, Kamloops and throughout the Okanagan Valley.

Lake and river fish enthusiasts arrive with belly boats, row boats, canoes, boats with electric motors and some with gas. Some lakes permit only non motorized boats while some permit gas motors. Do your research. Boat launches on some of the lakes and rivers are paved and easy to access, while others are roof top boat launches located at the end of long backcountry, sometimes rough, gravel roads.

The Pacific Ocean on the west coast of British Columbia is a big draw for salmon fishing enthusiasts. Charter companies, fishing guides and sports fishing stores are located in most of the ocean communities like Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Port Hardy, Gold River, Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Sechelt, Gibsons, Prince Rupert and the Haida-Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands). The prize of an ocean fishing trip in BC is to hook onto a very large salmon or halibut.

To fish in British Columbia it is important to know the rules, regulations and do your research. For example it is important to know that some lakes and rivers are catch and release. Some lakes are fly fishing only. Some fish can only be caught in a certain time of season.

Fishing in BC, Canada can be enjoyed with a fishing charter company or with a guide from a fishing lodge. Arrive in BC, Canada with your own boat, fishing gear and good map and you can partake in a self guided fishing adventure. Just remember that In BC you need a fishing licence.

However, local guides and charter companies do know the best spots to fish. Some guides travel by floatplane to remote lakes and rivers. Some boat into remote lodges on a distant island. Guides have the transportation, accommodations and knowledge to enhance any fishing trip.

There are many saltwater marinas dotting the coastline. There are fresh water marinas along lakeshores. Some marinas are very remote and primitive with little to offer but a place to tie up, while other marinas are modern with showers, Internet, power, accommodations and/or restaurants.

The fish that receives the most attention in BC, Canada are the Salmon family - Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink and Chum Salmon to be exact. And for some they prefer to fish for Halibut, Sole, Rockfish or Cod.

Fishing tours and charters in British Columbia vary in many ways so do ask questions. Some questions to consider would be - How many are fishing per boat? Is a fishing licence included? What transportation to and from accommodation is involved? Are meals provided?

Fishing in BC is seasonal in many regions and operating hours vary per charter company. Plan accordingly as accommodations with fishing packages are limited with some tours not having accommodations onsite or included as part of the package.

Thank you for planning your fishing vacation with us on our BCeh.com Travel Planning Network!

Be well, Be active,

The EH Team.