More topics

Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C.

Last updated on March 25, 2024

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.

On This Pagelogo of provincial poacher reporting program

Download a copy (PDF, 25.4MB)

Image links to the current Freshwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis

Printed copies of the synopsis are available from:

 

Angler Updates

Regional Synopsis Information and In-Season Regulations Changes

Use the map to select the region of interest or choose from the tabs below

Expand All | Collapse All
 

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 (includes Haida Gwaii: WMU 6-12, 6-13)

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 - 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 online version of the 2023 to 2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (PDF 25.4 MB).

Water In-season correction/change Effective date
     
 

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
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 - Cariboo 

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 - Skeena 

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 - Omineca 

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 - Peace 

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 1,200m downstream No fishing November 15, 2023

Peace River Downstream of boundary signs located approximately 1,200 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 - Okanagan 

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
     

 

Drought Response Planning

The updated 2023 Provincial Fisheries Management: Drought Response Plan is available for download