Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C.

Please read: Important information about hunting and fishing during COVID-19

2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis: In effect April 1, 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. 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

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General information

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 (updated April 6, 2021)

Provincial level Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Provincial in-season corrections and regulation changes

**Note:** These changes are in addition to the published regulations unless noted otherwise here. Be sure to check the published regulations as found in the online version of the 2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 18.9 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 - Vancouver Island (no change)

Region 1 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Region 1 in-season corrections and regulation changes

**Note:** These changes are in addition to the published regulations unless noted otherwise here. Be sure to check the published regulations as found in the online version of the 2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 18.9 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date

Region 2 - Lower Mainland (updated March 23, 2021)

Region 2 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Angler updates:

Region 2 in-season corrections and regulation changes

**Note:** These changes are in addition to the published regulations unless noted otherwise here. Be sure to check the published regulations as found in the online version of the 2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 18.9 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date
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 - Thompson (no changes)

Region 3 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Region 3 in-season corrections and regulation changes

**Note:** These changes are in addition to the published regulations unless noted otherwise here. Be sure to check the published regulations as found in the online version of the 2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 18.9 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date

Region 4 - Kootenay (no changes)

Region 4 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Region 4 in-season corrections and regulation changes

**Note:** These changes are in addition to the published regulations unless noted otherwise here. Be sure to check the published regulations as found in the online version of the 2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 18.9 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date

Region 5 - Cariboo (Last updated April 7, 2021)

Region 5 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Region 5 in-season corrections and regulation changes

**Note:** These changes are in addition to the published regulations unless noted otherwise here. Be sure to check the published regulations as found in the online version of the 2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 18.9 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date
Blue Lake (MU 5-2) near Alexandria	Administrative: An error in the printed synopsis resulted in Blue Lake, near Alexandria Creek, including an “electric motors only” regulation. There are no motor restrictions on this lake.	April 7, 2021
Blue Lake (MU 5-2) near Soda Creek	Administrative: An error in the printed synopsis resulted in Blue Lake, near Soda Creek, being deleted from the Region 5 water specific table. This lake is subject to an electric motor only regulation.	April 7, 2021