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
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)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 1 Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.2 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:
| 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)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 4 Synopsis Section (PDF, 489 KB) (Updated July 31, 2023)
| 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)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 6 Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Angler update:
- Skeena Steelhead Recreational Fishery Update (PDF, 187 KB) (Updated August 2023)
- Gitxsan Closure Declaration (PDF, 133 KB) (updated April 2021)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 7A Synopsis Section (PDF, 674 KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 7B Synopsis Section (PDF, 470 KB)
| 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 |
November 15, 2023 |
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
