Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C.
2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis: In effect April 1, 2021.
Various streams in the Province have been closed to angling due to high temperatures and drought conditions. Review the ‘Regional Synopsis Information and in-season changes’ section below for more information.
All freshwater sport fishing regulations in effect in British Columbia (except for salmon fishing and fishing in National Parks) are published every two years as the Regulations Synopsis. Become familiar with these regulations before going fishing.
In the event that there is a need to change a regulation in-season, the online version of the synopsis will be updated with any changes highlighted in red. You also need to be aware of regional In-Season Regulation Changes.
To access regionally specific synopsis chapters and In-Season regulation changes you can search in the table below or click on the map image below to search by location.
Regional Synopsis Information and in-season changes
Wildfire notice: Stay up to date on regulation changes and vehicle/access restrictions during wildfire season. While planning your angling trip please visit fire bans and restrictions for the most up to date information.
Transporting and Exporting Your Catch (PDF, 130 KB)
Salmon and Saltwater Fishing (PDF, 144 KB)
Fishing in Parks and Ecological Reserves (PDF, 127 KB)
Does my boat need to be registered? (PDF, 118 KB)
Provincial level Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.1 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
|
Province-wide |
Administrative: The printed version of the 2021-2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis incorrectly states that an 8 day sturgeon licence is $5. This is a typo, an 8 day sturgeon licence is $15. |
April 1, 2021 |
Region 1 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.5 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Gold River | The December 1 to May 31 angling closure downstream of the Muchalat River has been extended to December 1 to August 15 | September 24, 2021 |
| Heber River | No Fishing year round | September 24, 2021 |
Region 2 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Angler updates:
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| All streams in Management Unit 2-4, excluding Fraser River, Sumas River, and Chilliwack River | Closed to all fishing | July 30, 2021 to Sept. 15, 2021 |
| Silver (Silverhope) Lake |
Administrative: In the Region 2 Water-Specific Regulation table for Silver Lake (page 25) the line that states, “No Fishing Dec 1-April 31” should read, “No Fishing Dec 1-April 30”. It is an error and not a regulation that was implemented |
June 4, 2021 |
|
Fraser River |
Administrative: In the Region 2 Water-Specific Regulation table for the Fraser River (page 23) the line that states, "No Fishing in the Fraser River upstream from the Harrison River confluence, including tributaries and side-channels, May 15-June 30" does not apply. It is an error and not a regulation that was implemented |
April 1, 2021 |
Region 3 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.2 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon River | Closed to all fishing | July 24, 2021 to September 15, 2021 |
Region 4 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.1 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Michel Creek (excluding Alexander Creek and its tributaries), Morrissey Creek, Lizard Creek, Coal Creek, Sand Creek and the St. Mary River (from the outlet of St. Mary Lake to its confluence with the Kootenay River), and all streams in MU’s 4-3 to 4-9 (except the main stem Columbia and Kootenay Rivers). | Re-opened to fishing | Thursday, August 26, 2021 |
| The following streams and all their tributaries: Michel Creek (excluding Alexander Creek and its tributaries), Morrissey Creek, Lizard Creek, Coal Creek, Sand Creek and the St. Mary River (from the outlet of St. Mary Lake to its confluence with the Kootenay River), and all streams in MU’s 4-3 to 4-9 (except the main stem Columbia and Kootenay Rivers). | Closed to fishing from 14:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs, July 29, 2021 to September 15, 2021 | July 29, 2021 to September 15, 2021 |
Region 5 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.2 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Horsefly River downstream of the Woodjam Bridge | Open to fishing | September 3, 2021 |
| Horsefly River downstream of the Woodjam Bridge | Closed to all fishing | July 27, 2021 to September 15, 2021 |
|
Blue Lake (MU 5-2) near Alexandria |
Administrative: |
April 7, 2021 |
|
Blue Lake (MU 5-2) near Soda Creek |
Administrative: |
April 7, 2021 |
Region 6 Synopsis Section (PDF, 3.2 MB)
Angler update: Gitxsan Closure Declaration (PDF, 133 KB) (updated April 2021)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Skeena River, including tributaries | Closed to steelhead fishing | October 12, 2021 to December 31, 2021 |
| Nass River, including tributaries, and Skeena River, including tributaries | Bait ban | September 7, 2021 to June 15, 2022 |
| Nass River, including tributaries | Closed to all fishing | July 19, 2021 to July 30, 2021 |
Region 7A Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.0 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 7B Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.0 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Peace River | Implement kokanee quota of 10 as this was missed in the biennial regulation cycle | June 4, 2021 |
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| All streams in Management Units 8-1 to 8-15 and 8-21 to 8-23 | The July 19 to September 15 angling closure (described below) has been extended to July 19 to September 30. | July 19 to September 30 |
| All streams in Management Units 8-1 to 8-15 and 8-21 to 8-23 | Closed to all fishing | July 19 to September 15 |
