When is the best time to go fishing in BC? It is a question we get often and on this page we’ll break down the best BC fishing times by season. This will help in planning your British Columbia fishing trip and give you unmatched insight into what is fishing is best each month! Fishing seasons in British Columbia change and if you’re out by a few weeks it can be the difference between a great trip and a not-so-great trip. We hope this helps get a trip started and feel free to reach out via our contact form if we can help assist with some BC fishing plans!
SPRING FISHING REPORT
The Spring months of March, April & May offer a variety of piles of freshwater & saltwater opportunities throughout British Columbia. By March, most of BC has shifted to full Spring, with cold weather dissipating. This makes way for warmer (and sometimes wetter) spring like condition. On BC’s south coast, March is the beginning of our Spring steelhead season and saltwater salmon charters become consistent. Quick Spring report below…
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
April is usually the best month to target winter-run steelhead, either on BC’s south coast or on the Skeena River in BC’s north. The opportunity at steelhead is also there in March and will roll into May. If temperatures spike in May, there is the chance that rivers levels will rise, also known as Spring freshet. There is some excellent trout fishing on BC’s interior lakes starting after ice-off, usually that’s early May. You can learn more about BC’s famed trout fishery on our BC fly fishing page.
SALTWATER FISHING REPORT
May is the kick off of Summer salmon fishing season on British Columbia’s coast. By mid May many of the all-inclusive salmon lodges on BC’s northern coast and Haida Gwaii begin welcoming guests. This is a great time for a BC salmon fishing trip, with a focus on hard fighting chinook salmon. On British Columbia’s south coast, some of the best chinook salmon action also happens April & May, trips accessed by our Vancouver charters.
SUMMER FISHING REPORT
Summer is a great time for fishing in British Columbia, with lots of fantastic angling opportunities! Summer months offer nice weather and prime dates for saltwater salmon fishing, sturgeon fishing and freshwater river fishing
SALTWATER FISHING REPORT
Summer months are when salmon fishing is best in BC. Generally early Summer is focused on fishing for chinook (king) salmon and other Pacific salmon enter BC’s waters later in July & August. These others Pacific salmon included coho, pinks, sockeye and chum. There are lots of places to go saltwater fishing in British Columbia. One of our favourite destinations for a Summer fishing charter is Vancouver Island. One of the easiest saltwater fishing trips in BC is a Vancouver salmon charter. This is a fun, easy and affordable way to enjoy some Summer fishing without any big travel plans! If you’re looking for a salmon fishing lodge there are lots of option in British Columbia. BC’s salmon fishing lodges offer all-inclusive packages and are generally in operation from early June to early September. In the Summer time you’ll find some of our guide team at Langara Island Lodge, a popular fishing destination in Haida Gwaii, BC.
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
BC has some awesome freshwater fishing throughout the Summer months. Early Summer can bring some higher water levels in BC’s rivers, due to melting snow, with more consistent river levels starting in early July. Summer is obviously a popular time for freshwater trout fishing but you can also catch salmon, steelhead and sturgeon as well. Lake fishing for trout does usually slow as Summer temperatures rise. Fraser River sturgeon fishing is prime in July & August. This is unique to British Columbia fishing experience with some monster fish! On odd years our coastal rivers play welcome to Pink Salmon in from mid July to late September. A guided trip for Pink Salmon is a great Summer fly fishing outing that can be enjoyed close to Vancouver.
FALL FISHING REPORT
There are lots of Fall fishing options in BC, most are focused on salmon and steelhead fishing around the province. Saltwater salmon fishing slows in the Fall as salmon move into coastal rivers for their migration home. Here’s a Fall fishing report break down of the best options for September, October & November.
RIVER FISHING FOR SALMON
September through November are the best months for river fishing for salmon. The coastal rivers of British Columbia have healthy runs of wild salmon that begin their migration starting in late August and early September. Prime fishing months for chum and coho salmon are October & November. River fishing for Pink salmon fishing is generally good until mid September.
STEELHEAD FISHING REPORT
It’s no secret that September and October are prime months for steelhead fishing in British Columbia. Summer run steelhead enter the Skeena River system in northern BC as early as mid July, but targetable numbers peak from mid August to late October. Favourite rivers for BC steelhead in the Fall included the Bulkley River and the Skeena River. Preparing anglers for a BC steelhead trip is a big part of what we do, as is our booking services during prime dates at with a variety steelhead lodges and guides around the province.
WINTER FISHING REPORT
Finding some good Winter fishing options can be a bit tricky. Obviously the quality of angling will have much to do with weather conditions. There are a few options, including some early season steelhead on Vancouver Island, but that can be hit or miss. Here’s a quick report on the two best Winter trips we offer from December to February…
WINTER TROUT FISHING REPORT
Why is there good trout fishing in the Winter time? The answer traces back to the Fall salmon runs, when chum, pink and coho salmon enter the coastal rivers of BC’s southern coast. These salmon runs pack a lot of protein for resident trout stocks. Rainbow trout and bull trout feed throughout the Winter on salmon eggs and flesh. Our Squamish fly fishing trips are a perfect winter trout trip, with the chance to catch some big BC bull trout! If you’re in Whistler for a ski trip we also offer guided trips from there as well.
WINTER SALMON FISHING REPORT
Another cool Winter option is trolling for chinook salmon on the ocean. Our Vancouver salmon charters, leaving right from downtown Vancouver, offer the chance to catch Winter chinook salmon in December, January and February. Crabbing and prawn’ing is also very good in the wintertime! If you’re on Vancouver Island there is also Winter salmon fishing in Campbell River and Comox.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
VANCOUVER FLY FISHING INQUIRY
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THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR BC’S BEST FISHING
There are lots of reasons why people have trusted us with the BC fishing plans for over 15 years. Honest local advice, hard work, dedication to customer service and loving what we do are just a few of the reason. Our fair pricing, thoughtful cancellation policy and easy booking process make planning stress free. Our Google Reviews and 5 Years of Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor will give you added confidence you’re fishing with the right guys!
