PACIFIC SALMON FISHING
BC salmon fishing for sport is great fun for every age and is available year-round, though with huge runs coming through our surrounding rivers, it is a way of life here during the Fall. Every year millions of Pacific salmon, including those listed below, return to the Fraser River and its tributaries from the Pacific Ocean. Whether you want to catch and release on the fly, or take home a tasty meal after a day on the water, rest assured you will go home happy.
CHINOOK
(Spring – King – salmon)
The largest of the salmon species, Chinook can grow to over 60 lbs. Famous for their great energy reserves, and as strong fighters, they can spool 200 yards of 30 lb. line before you know it. Sizes range from 15 to 60 pounds averaging 25.
PRIME TIME: June - October
COHO
CohoCoho Salmon fishing in B.C. is a sportsman's dream; if it is a challenge you want this is an excellent sport fish. These smaller systems allow the use of very light tackle or fly equipment.
PRIME TIME: September - December
CHUM
So plentiful in BC during the Fall local anglers find Chum salmon a nuisance during their challenge of angling species such as coho. Chum range up to 20 lbs and are terrific fighters, especially on the fly.
PRIME TIME: October - December
PINK
Running only on odd years pinks are aggressive biters. They can be readily taken on the fly or other methods. They average between 3 to 5 lbs.
PRIME TIME: September - December
SOCKEYE
The most plentiful of the Pacific BC Salmon – literally millions of these acrobatic silver bullets enter the Fraser River – sockeye are very streamlined and battle extremely well. The often spend more time in the air than in the water. Sockeye average 4 to 8 lbs and are considered ''Great Table Fare'.
PRIME TIME: September - December
STEELHEAD & TROUT FISHING
British Columbia has many wild rivers and streams to enjoy. Most offer a good population of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, Bull trout or a combination of any of the above. Some of our rivers have returns of wild and hatchery Steelhead offering anglers a chance to sport fish for one of the hardest fighting fresh water sport fish anywhere.
STEELHEAD
British Columbia hosts one of the largest Steelhead Trout populations in the world, the Fraser Valley being a great place to start. Steelhead Trout are available all year in some of our rivers, having both summer and winter run fish, while others only offer one. Steelhead are considered to be one of the most elusive of all North American game fish and when hooked put up a battle second to none. These fish are worth the effort.
PRIME TIME: December - April
CUTTHROAT TROUT
Cutthroat trout are available in our local rivers 12 months of the year. They are a very scrappy fish that show an incredible ability to shake the hook. Although challenging to land, Cutthroat trout are very aggressive feeders, allowing anglers a wide variety of choices when it comes to presentation and choice of equipment. Harrison Lake has a great population of wild Cutthroat trout some tipping the scale at 5lbs and better (20-26 inches in length). These fish provide great sport as we use only light spinning, often fly rods with small spinners, spoons, or flies depending on current conditions and time of year.
PRIME TIME: Year round
RAINBOW TROUT
Rainbow Trout are one of the most acrobatic fish around, they take powerful runs, love to leap, and are always up to a good battle. Rainbow Trout are plentiful in most lakes and streams in British Columbia, the average size of our rainbow trout is 12 to 20 inches depending on the system fished! If you have never fished with a fly rod, don’t worry our teaching guides will help instruct you to ensure a good time. BC Sport Fishing Group provides some unique opportunities for rainbow trout in our local area. However, the best fishing is located on our more remote systems such as the Pitt and Lillooet River.
PRIME TIME: April - October
DOLLY VARDEN / BULL TROUT / CHAR
These are probably the most aggressive, when it comes to taking a fly, lure, or bait! They are available in most of our freshwater rivers and lakes depending on time of year. The Lillooet River and Pitt river offer the best opportunity at catching some of these aggressive fish. The Lillooet River has a prime time of September-April, while the Upper Pitt offers great fly fishing for sea run Bull trout from June-August.
PRIME TIME: Year round
STURGEON
White Sturgeon are powerful fish. Their reel screaming runs and acrobatic leaps make these freshwater giants a force to be reckoned with. Many in the Sportfishing community compare White Sturgeon to the fight of a tarpon’ because of their amazing power. Our world class Sturgeon fishery make us look good day after day. We are grateful to the many guests that return to fish with us year after year.
The Fraser River is also home the prehistoric white sturgeon: the largest freshwater fish in North and South America. Considered one of the most spectacular freshwater sports fish in the world, these monster fish can live for 200 years. Known for their size, strength and impressive jumps they can grow to over 1,000 pounds. The Fraser River provides us with the last healthy wild stocks of this species on the planet.
CATCH & RELEASE
Fraser River White Sturgeon is a sustainable, catch and release fishery. Our guides ensure our clients employ best practices for handling these incredible animals. The Fraser River White Sturgeon fishery has been in place since 1994. By working together with the FRSCS and its tagging study as well as ongoing consultation with the Provincial Government, we work to keep this fishery strong for all to enjoy into the future.
KITIMAT RIVER
The Kitimat River is the closest and most popular destination for freshwater fishing. Here you can hook into Chinook, Coho, and Chum salmon, as well as prized Steelhead and trout such as Cutthroat. Nearby lakes and streams are also good for trout fishing.
The Kitimat River is highly accessible, running directly through town. You can drive, walk, or hike to a variety of angling spots in the heart of town, or explore along Highway 37, north of Kitimat, for more privacy. Most fishing spots are easily accessible, and are not restricted to four-by-four vehicle or boat access.
Experience trophy salmon and Steelhead fishing with drift boat, river raft or pontoon boat on the Kitimat River as well as streamside wading on local and remote coastal rivers on the Westcoast of Britisch Columbia.
Fly fishing and conventional fishing techniques for the aggressive, silver chrome steelhead trout and wild pacific salmons. Guests have the opportunity to fish the headwaters, tributaries and mainstream Kitimat River. The lower section of the Kitimat river is considered tidal and can offer phenomenal fishing for wild agressive Chinook salmon as they migrate upriver. Prime time to target Chinook Salmon in the Kitimat River Estuary is June to middle of July. Chinook Salmon will be caught till middle of August in the Kitimat River Estuary.