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Fishing in Vancouver

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Fishing in Vancouver goes on all year round and there are thousands of places to do it both in and outside of the city, perfect for those who plan to spend the whole day outdoors. Vancouver is also ideally located for short day trips, camping and fishing. The local bodies of water, saltwater and freshwater, are home to a variety of fish species such as salmon, sturgeon, trout and halibut. There are plenty of opportunities for fly fishing, as well as fishing from both boat and shore. The latter variant is great for kids.

We suggest you use this article to learn everything you need to know about local fishing, from the best places to cast your rod to the rules and laws regarding fishing.

Before we get started, familiarize yourself with British Columbia laws relevant to fishing

To fish in Vancouver, you need a fishing permit (license), which is issued at age 16. You can purchase it online, by the way. In addition to a permit, it is important to be aware of current fishing restrictions; for example, salmon may be banned for a certain period of time in order to conserve the species. The Freshwater Fishing Society of British Columbia has a great website where you can find out about all the restrictions and regulations. You can also check out the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website for information.

Fishing in Vancouver: Best places to fish in Vancouver

There are, without exaggeration, thousands of great fishing spots in and around Vancouver itself, both freshwater and saltwater, fishing from a boat and fly fishing. Listed below are just a few of the best spots:

  • The Caplilano River, which is about 30 minutes north of downtown; here you can fish for chinook and coho salmon from early spring to late fall
  • Vancouver Harbour, where you can fish almost in the center of the city for salmon.
  • The Chilliwack River, about 2 hours east of downtown Vancouver, is great for salmon and rainbow trout fishing.
  • Fraser River, a couple of hours from downtown Vancouver if you head east, is great for fly fishing (sturgeon and salmon)
  • Vancouver Island, particularly Campbell River and the town of Ucluelet, where salmon and halibut fishing is popular.