Freshwater Fishing Regulations in BC
2019 to 2021 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis: In effect now through March 31, 2021
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. Anglers should 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 excerpts and In-Season regulation changes you can search in the table below or click on the map image to the right 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]
Angler Safety Considerations [PDF 205 KB]
Ethics for Anglers [PDF 255 KB]
Provincial Level Information (last updated April 1, 2019)
Provincial level Synopsis Section [PDF 1.6 MB]
Region 1 - Vancouver Island (last updated April 1, 2019)
Region 1 Synopsis Section [PDF 1.9 MB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Gold River | Correct administrative error: No fishing upstream of the Muchalat River*, Dec 1 - May 31 should be no fishing downstream of the Muchalat River*, Dec 1 - May 31 | April 1, 2019 |
Region 2 - Lower Mainland (last updated May 21, 2020 )
Region 2 Synopsis Section [PDF 1.3 MB]
Angler Updates: Invasive Bass Presence in Cultus Lake (updated June 10,2020)
Fraser River Sturgeon Closures
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Fraser River
|
No Fishing for trout in the Fraser mainstem upstream of the CPR bridge at Mission, excluding tributaries, sloughs, Jesperson's Side Channel, Herring Island Side Channel and Ruby Creek Side Channel |
September 1 to November 15
|
Region 3 - Thompson (last updated May 21, 2020)
Region 3 Synopsis Section [PDF 850 KB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Fraser River
|
No Fishing for trout in Fraser River mainstem: 1. Downstream of Hell's Gate 2. From hell's gate to the confluence with the Thompson River 3. Upstream of the confluence with the Thompson River
|
1. September 1 to November 15 2. October 1 to November 30 3. October 1 to October 31
|
Region 4 - Kootenay (last updated July 30, 2020)
Region 4 Synopsis Section [PDF 1.2 MB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Grave Creek and tributaries | No fishing | August 1, 2020 |
Kootenay Lake - Main Body |
Barbed hooks permitted. Bull trout daily quota = 3, Rainbow trout daily quota = 5 (only 2 over 50 cm) Rainbow trout over 50 cm: annual quota = 10 Removal of the requirement to release rainbow trout, February 1 to June 10, north of a line between fishing boundary signs posted at Lost Ledge Creek and Salisbury Creek. |
May 14, 2020 |
Upper West Arm of Kootenay Lake
|
Kokanee release all year |
April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 |
Region 5 - Cariboo (last updated September 18, 2019)
Region 5 Synopsis Section [PDF 1.3 MB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Fraser River |
No fishing for trout in the mainstem downstream of the confluence with the Chilcotin River |
October 1 to October 31 |
Region 6 - Skeena (last updated December 9, 2020)
Region 6 Synopsis Section [PDF 2.5 MB]
Angler Update: Gitxsan Closure Declaration (updated June 2020)
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Ross Lake | No fishing | December 10, 2020 to May 1, 2021 |
Nass River | No fishing from white triangular fishing boundary signs located downstream of the Meziadin River confluence, and upstream to the Hwy 37 bridge | August 8, 2020 to September 15, 2020 |
Lost Lake | Closed to fishing due to illegal introduction of goldfish | June 22, 2019 |
Region 7A - Omineca (last updated March 2, 2020)
Region 7A Synopsis Section [PDF 64 KB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Various |
Administrative:
|
March 2, 2020 |
Various |
Administrative Corrections:
|
June 11, 2019 |
Region 7B - Peace (no changes)
Region 7B Synopsis Section [PDF 1.0 MB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
no changes at this time |
Region 8 - Okanagan (last updated July 10, 2019)
Region 8 Synopsis Section [PDF 790 KB]
Water | In-Season Change | Effective Date |
---|---|---|
Skaha Lake | Quota for kokanee over 35 cm = 0 | July 10, 2019 |
Shannon Lake | Correct administrative error: Trout daily quota = 1 applies only to the netted off portion on the south end of Shannon lake | March 26, 2019 |