Sturgeon, Salmon, Trout Fishing in British Columbia, Species and Seasons

Sturgeon
Sturgeon Fishing in British Columbia; Sturgeon in the Fraser River are the largest fresh water fish in North America and are possible to catch year round though March and April, August, September, October and November are the best. Every year, fish in the 7 to 10 foot range are caught.  (More fish per day are often caught in Dec. and Jan. though they are usually smaller fish between 1.0 m (3 ft.) to 1.4 m (4ft))
Sturgeon fishing is primarily done from boats which anchor in the river.  Strong rods are used to cast a weight and bait to the bottom of the river.  Then you sit back and enjoy the scenery until a fish bites.  Sturgeon are the most powerful fish we go after and are spectacular fighters. They are sometimes called "Fraser River Marlin" because of their spectacular leaps when they are first hooked.

A smallish fish averages 3 to 4 feet long and large ones can be over 7 feet long and leap out of the water during a fight.  This is truly a spectacular and unique experience.  All sturgeon must be released unharmed. While there are no guarantees on any trip, it is common to land one to four fish per outing.
Salmon Fishing in British Columbia
Salmon generally start in late June or early July and runs until December.  Some winter salmon fisheries continue into January.  All five species of Pacific Salmon, Chinook (KING), Coho (Silvers), Sockeye (Reds), Pink and Chum salmon can be caught at various times. 

The summer Sockeye run allows a chance at perhaps the best tasting fish in the world!  These runs can be very large on a high cycle year.  In recent years, conservation measures have limited the fishery during certain periods.
Pink salmon usually arrive in the millions on every other odd numbered year, i.e. 2013, 2015 etc. and provide some of the finest fly fishing opportunities.  During the peak of the Pink Salmon season it is not uncommon for a fly fisher to land ten or more in a day.
Steelhead (large ocean going rainbow trout) are available during December to April and in some rivers July and August.  Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and bull trout are often available during salmon seasons and are caught using spinners, flies that resemble minnows or egg patterns.
Trout Fishing in British Columbia.
Trout fishing is available in most rivers and lakes. In our region, the trout (Rainbow, Cutthroat and Bull Trout) often follow the salmon runs in the fall to feed off the eggs that the salmon lay but get washed downstream. (Aug. to Nov.) Fly fishing lures imitating egg patterns or small spinners work best. 



 In the spring (April/May) they tend to hang at creek mouths and in river back eddies to feed on migrating salmon fry.  So minnow patterns and spinners work best.

Steelhead (large ocean going rainbow trout) are available during December to April and in some rivers July and August.  Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and bull trout are often available during salmon seasons and are caught using spinners, flies that resemble minnows or egg patterns.
Steelhead Fishing in British Columbia (This section is still under construction)