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.
2021 to 2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis: In effect April 1, 2021.
Various streams in the Province have been closed to angling due to high temperatures and drought conditions. Review the ‘Regional Synopsis Information and in-season changes’ section below for more information.
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.
Transporting and Exporting Your Catch (PDF, 130 KB)
Salmon and Saltwater Fishing (PDF, 144 KB)
Fishing in Parks and Ecological Reserves (PDF, 127 KB)
Does my boat need to be registered? (PDF, 118 KB)
Provincial level Synopsis Section (PDF, 210 KB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Waterbodies that have an electric motor only regulation now include a maximum 7.5 kW power limit. Click here to view the changes to the federal Vessel Operation Restrictions Regulations (VORR) under subsection 2(3). |
July 8, 2022 |
| Province- wide |
Administrative: The printed version of the 2021-2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis incorrectly states that an 8 day sturgeon licence is $5. This is a typo, an 8 day sturgeon licence is $15. |
April 1, 2021 |
Region 1 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.5 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Tsitika River, including tributaries | No Fishing year round | September 27, 2022 |
| Gold River | The December 1 to May 31 angling closure downstream of the Muchalat River has been extended to December 1 to August 15 | September 24, 2021 |
| Heber River | No Fishing year round | September 24, 2021 |
Region 2 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Angler updates:
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Silver (Silverhope) Lake | Administrative: In the Region 2 Water-Specific Regulation table for Silver Lake (page 25) the line that states, "No Fishing Dec 1-April 31" should read, "No Fishing Dec 1-April 30." It is an error and not a regulation that was implemented. |
June 4, 2021 |
| Fraser River | Administrative: In the Region 2 Water-Specific Regulation table for the Fraser River (page 23) the line that states, "No Fishing in the Fraser River upstream from the Harrison River confluence, including tributaries and side-channels, May 15-June 30" does not apply. It is an error and not a regulation that was implemented |
April 1, 2021 |
Region 3 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.2 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Adams River | No Fishing from Sept 1-Oct 31 between fishing boundary signs in the vicinity of the public salmon viewing platforms in Tsútswecw Provincial Park | September 1, 2022 |
Region 4 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.1 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Kootenay Lake (Main Body) | Change Rainbow Trout daily quota from 5 (only 2 over 50 cm) to daily quota of 5 (any size) | June 1, 2022 |
Region 5 Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.2 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Tyee Lake | Revise kokanee quote of 10 to 5 | January 1, 2022 |
|
Blue Lake (MU 5-2) near Alexandria |
Administrative: An error in the printed synopsis resulted in Blue Lake, near Alexandria Creek, including an “electric motors only” regulation. There are no motor restrictions on this lake. |
April 7, 2021 |
|
Blue Lake (MU 5-2) near Soda Creek |
Administrative: An error in the printed synopsis resulted in Blue Lake, near Soda Creek, being deleted from the Region 5 water-specific table. This lake is subject to an electric motor only regulation. |
April 7, 2021 |
Region 6 Synopsis Section (PDF, 3.2 MB)
Angler update: Gitxsan Closure Declaration (PDF, 133 KB) (updated April 2021)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Skeena River, including tributaries | Bait ban, Sept 1 to June 15 | Sept. 1, 2022 |
| Skeena River, Zymoetz River, Kitsumkalum River (including tributaries), Zymagotiz River (including tributaries), Lakelse River (including tributaries) | Opened to fishing in accordance with the 2021-2023 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis | July 8, 2022 |
| Nass River, including tributaries, and Skeena River, including tributaries | Bait ban lifted | July 8, 2022 |
Region 7A Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.0 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Region 7B Synopsis Section (PDF, 2.0 MB)
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Peace River | Implement kokanee quota of 10 as this was missed in the biennial regulation cycle | June 4, 2021 |
| Water | In-season correction/change | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Lake | Revise kokanee daily quota of 5 to 3 | April 1, 2022 |
