Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C.

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

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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.

Thumbnail image linked to a BC provincial map displaying freshwater fishing management boundaries. Regions on the map are linked to regulation synopsis excerpts for each area

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.

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 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 from the CNR Bridge (70.2 Mile Trestle) to Skutz Falls No fishing from Dec 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024 (to support recovery of trout and steelhead) November 30, 2023

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 online 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 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 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

Region 5 Synopsis Section (PDF, 699 KB)

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 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).

Water In-season correction/change Effective date
     

Region 6 Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.6 MB)

Angler update:

Region 6 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 7A Synopsis Section (PDF, 674 KB)

Region 7A 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 7B Synopsis Section (PDF, 470 KB)

Region 7B 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
Peace River From HWY 29 Bridge to Site C Dam Artic Grayling release, including tributaries; Mountain whitefish release
Lake Trout daily quota: 3 any size, all year
Kokanee daily quota:10

No fishing from mouth of Halfway River to fishing boundary signs approximately 5 km upstream and 5 km downstream, March 1 - June 30.
November 15, 2023
Peace River from Site C Dam to boundary signs 800m downstream No fishing November 15, 2023

Peace River Downstream of boundary signs located approximately 800 m downstream of Site C dam

No fishing upstream of boundary sign located approximately 800 m downstream of Site C Dam

Arctic Grayling release
Kokanee daily quota : 10

November 15, 2023

Region 8 Synopsis Section (PDF, 852 KB)

Region 8 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