Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C.

The province prohibits or restricts Motor Vehicles in some areas to protect sensitive fish and wildlife and their habitats or reduce displacement or disturbance to wildlife. See Motor Vehicle Prohibitions for maps and more information.

2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis: In effect April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025.

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.

Provincial level information

Provincial level Synopsis Section (PDF, 598 KB)

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 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date

Region 1 - Vancouver Island

Region 1 Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.2 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 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date
Cowichan River downstream of the weir on Cowichan Lake	No fishing from Sept 1 to November 15, 2023	August 31, 2023

Region 2 - Lower Mainland

Region 2 Synopsis Section (PDF, 699 KB) (Updated August 3, 2023)

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 o nline version of the 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date
Chilliwack River from the orange triangular boundary signs approximately 200 meters above Vedder Crossing bridge down to the cable car crossing approximately 200 meters below the Vedder Crossing bridge.	No Fishing from August 4 to September 30, 2023	August 4, 2023

Region 3 - Thompson

Region 3 Synopsis Section (PDF, 636 KB)

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 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date

Region 4 - Kootenay

Region 4 Synopsis Section (PDF, 489 KB) (Updated July 31, 2023)

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 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).
Water	In-season correction/change	Effective date
Michel Creek (excluding Alexander Creek and its tributaries), Morrissey Creek, Lizard Creek, Coal Creek, Sand Creek, St. Mary River (downstream of St. Mary Lake), all streams in MUs 4-3 to 4-9 (other than the mainstems of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers), including all tributaries.	The 2:00 pm until midnight closure that came into effect August 2, 2023, is repealed. Fishing is permitted as previously outlined in the synopsis.	August 31, 2023
Michel Creek (excluding Alexander Creek and its tributaries), Morrissey Creek, Lizard Creek, Coal Creek, Sand Creek, St. Mary River (downstream of St. Mary Lake), all streams in MUs 4-3 to 4-9 (other than the mainstems of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers), including all tributaries.	No Fishing from 2:00 pm until midnight, August 2, 2023 until further notice.	August 2, 2023
Kootenay Lake - Main Body	Page 38 - Kootenay Lake - Main Body: The annual quota of rainbow trout over 50 cm is 20 per year (not 10 per year).	April 1, 2023