Freshwater fishing regulations in B.C.
Last updated on December 17, 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 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis. Become familiar with these regulations before going fishing.
On This Page
- 2023-2025 Freshwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis
- Angler updates
- Regional synopsis information and in-season regulations changes
- Provincial Fisheries Management: Drought Response Plan
Pull the plug! It’s the law!
Effective May 17 2024 In B.C. it is now illegal to transport your watercraft with the drain plug still in place.
- Before transporting a boat or other watercraft, owners/operators must remove the drain plug and drain all water on dry land including all internal compartments such as ballasts, bilges, and live wells.
Why is this important? Whirling Disease has been detected in Yoho National Park in B.C. and containment and prevention is critical.
- To help stop the spread of whirling disease before moving a boat or any equipment between water bodies, be sure to Clean Drain Dry.
- ‘Pull the Plug’ is one element of Clean, Drain, Dry and it requires all drain-plugs on vessels to be pulled before moving from the waterbody.
2023-25 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis
Printed copies of the synopsis are available from:
Angler updates
- Kispiox River Reopening Notice (August 27, 2024)
- Skeena Steelhead Recreational Fishery Update – 2024 Season (August 13, 2024)
- Minister’s statement on Skeena River Fishery (June 21,2024)
- Motor Vehicle Prohibitions related to wildfires
- Provincial Freshwater Fishing Licence Carry and Production Requirements
Regional synopsis information and in-season regulations changes
Select your region of interest by choosing from the tabs below. These documents may contain references to previous ministers or ministries responsible for wildlife at the time of publication. Periodic transfer of authority for natural resource management may not be reflected in these documents.
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 Synopsis Section (PDF, 598KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 1 Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.1MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Tsitika River |
Opened to recreational angling. No fishing upstream of Catherine Creek, November 1 to April 30, fly fishing only downstream of Catherine Creek. |
September 13, 2024 |
| Heber River |
Open to recreational angling September 15 to October 31. No fishing downstream of top of lower canyon, located 1.3 km upstream of the Gold River confluence. Fly Fishing only downstream of Saunders Creek to the top of the lower canyon. |
August 30, 2024 |
Region 2 Synopsis Section (PDF, 699 KB)
Angler updates
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 3 Synopsis Section (PDF, 636KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 4 Synopsis Section (PDF, 489KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Kootenay Lake | Bull Trout quota changed from 5 to 1 (regional regulation) | August 20, 2024 |
| Waterbodies in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks | All waterbodies in Yoho and Kootenay National Park are closed to watercraft and angling until March 31, 2025. Visit Parks Canada websites for more information. | April 1, 2024 |
| 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, 699KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Big Lake (approximately 30 km west of Likely, B.C.) | This lake was incorrectly labeled as M.U. 5-15 in the printed synopsis. The correct M.U. is 5-2. The online version of synopsis has been updated. | May 29, 2024 |
Region 6 Synopsis Section (PDF, 1.6MB)
Angler updates
- Kispiox River Reopening Notice (August 27, 2024)
- Skeena Steelhead Recreational Fishery Update – 2024 Season (August 13, 2024)
- Minister’s statement on Skeena River Fishery (June 21, 2024)
- Gitxsan Closure Declaration (PDF, 133KB) (updated April 2021)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Kispiox River and tributaries | Temporary temperature related closure rescinded | August 27, 2024 |
Region 7A Synopsis Section (PDF, 441KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 7B Synopsis Section (PDF, 470KB)
| 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 |
November 15, 2023 |
Region 8 Synopsis Section (PDF, 852KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Provincial Fisheries Management: Drought Response Plan
The updated 2024 Provincial Fisheries Management: Drought Response Plan (PDF, 1MB) is available for download.
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