A Guide to River Salmon Fishing in British Columbia
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Vancouver Island · Metro Vancouver · Fraser Valley · Sea-to-Sky
Information checked: October 22, 2026
How to use this guide
Salmon runs, fishing openings and retention limits are different things. The seasonal information below describes when adult salmon are typically observed at local hatcheries or in a river system. It does not establish when fishing is permitted or when fish are most likely to bite.
The regulations summarized here are a dated reference. Check current Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) notices, provincial regulations and posted boundary signs before fishing. A listed opening applies only to the specified species and river section, subject to other closures, gear rules and size limits.
Coverage focuses on Vancouver Island and southwestern British Columbia. It is not a comprehensive province-wide directory. The Vancouver Island provincial regulations have not been fully cross-checked. Blank cells indicate that reliable information was not established; they do not mean there are no fish.
Species and terminology
The five Pacific salmon species covered are Chinook (also called spring or king), coho, chum, pink and sockeye.
H means hatchery-marked: a fish with a healed scar where the adipose fin was removed. For example, 4 H/day means a daily retention limit of four hatchery-marked fish. An unmarked fish does not qualify for a hatchery-only limit. Steelhead are anadromous rainbow trout and are not included in these salmon listings. DFO marking definition
Vancouver Island
Seasonal observations are general patterns, not current fishing reports. Combined observation periods do not establish a separate peak for each species. Hatchery addresses are orientation points, not designated fishing spots.
| River / area | Typical adult salmon observations | DFO retention summary | River sections and restrictions | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell River — Campbell River | Coho: Sept. 1–Dec. 31; 4 H/day. | Applies downstream of the Quinsam River confluence. A closure applies between the boundary sign at the end of Maple Street and the sign at the cement block; check the applicable dates. | FN0939 | |
| Quinsam River — Campbell River | Pink: September. Chinook and coho: October–November. | Coho: Sept. 1–Dec. 31; 4 H/day. | Year-round closure from the signs at the powerline crossing, approximately 25 m above the hatchery weir, to signs approximately 300 m below the weir. | Season · FN0939 |
| Puntledge / Courtenay rivers — Courtenay | Chinook, pink, coho and chum: combined observation period from mid-September to Dec. 1. | Coho: Sept. 1–Dec. 31; 4 H/day. | Applies downstream of the base of Stotan Falls. Year-round closures cover the generating-station tailrace / hatchery fish-fence area and the Morrison Creek confluence. See the notice for boundaries. | Season · FN0938 |
| Big Qualicum River — Qualicum Beach | Pink: late July–early October. Chinook: mid-August–mid-October. Coho: October–December. Chum: November. | Coho: Sept. 1–Dec. 31; 4 H/day. | The listed coho opportunity is upstream of the hatchery's upper weir. Do not treat the section from the Qualicum First Nation boundary fence to Highway 19A as open fishing water. | Season and access · FN0937 |
| Little Qualicum River — Qualicum Beach | Chinook: early October. Chum: late November. | Chinook: Sept. 1–Nov. 30; 2/day. Coho: Oct. 1–Nov. 30; 1 H/day. | Fly-fishing only Sept. 1–Nov. 30 in the applicable open waters. Hook gap must be less than 15 mm. A closure applies immediately downstream of the hatchery fence. | Region 1 · Season |
| Nanaimo River — south of Nanaimo | Coho, Chinook and chum: combined observation period from October to January. | Coho: Oct. 16–Dec. 31; 4 H/day in the specified section. Coho retention is otherwise closed, with additional fishing closures in some sections. | From the upstream side of Cedar Road Bridge to the downstream side of the Highway 1 overpass. This is not the Highway 19 bridge. Separate rules apply to the tidal section downstream. | FN0952 · Season |
| Stamp River — Port Alberni | Successive runs, including sockeye, coho and Chinook, from late summer into December; individual species peaks are not specified here. | Coho: Oct. 3–Dec. 31; 2/day, both of which may be unmarked, in open sections. | Fishing is closed from 200 m above to 500 m below Stamp Falls, June 15–Nov. 15. Additional closures apply around the hatchery lagoon and elsewhere. | FN1069 · BC Parks |
| Somass River — Port Alberni | Chinook: Aug. 25–Dec. 31; 2/day, only one of which may exceed 77 cm. Coho limits vary by date. | A seasonal finfish closure applies to a section upstream of Paper Mill Dam. The Stamp River's unmarked-coho allowance must not be applied to the Somass. | Region 1 | |
| Nitinat River — southwestern Vancouver Island | Chinook and chum: September–October. Coho: mid-September–December. | Coho: Oct. 16–Dec. 31; 2 H/day. Chum: non-retention during the same period. | No salmon fishing upstream of Parker Creek. Specific closures apply around Red Rock Pool and the hatchery water intake. | Season · Region 1 |
| Conuma River — Gold River–Tahsis area | Chinook: mid-September–early October. Coho: October–November. Chum: late September–October. | Chinook and coho: Aug. 25–Dec. 31; 2 of each/day. Coho must be hatchery-marked; only one Chinook may exceed 77 cm. | The hatchery location is not a designated fishing spot. Current forest-road access and individual fishing positions are unconfirmed. | Season · Region 1 |
| Cowichan River — Duncan | Listed coho retention periods begin Nov. 1 in the specified upper section and Nov. 16 in the lower section. Chum opportunities remain to be determined. | The white triangular boundary sign at Sandy Pool Regional Park is a key dividing point. The lower section is closed to fishing Sept. 1–Nov. 15. | Region 1 | |
| Quatse River — Port Hardy | Adult salmon: combined observation period in October–November. | Coho: June 16–Mar. 31; 2 H/day. | Fishing is closed year-round within 100 m upstream and downstream of the hatchery weir. A long retention period does not imply year-round salmon availability. | Region 1 · Season |
Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas
Blank seasonal entries have been left unfilled rather than inferred from regulatory opening dates. This table does not reproduce every Chinook size limit or date-specific quota; consult the linked regulations for the complete rules.
| River / area | Typical adult salmon observations | DFO opportunities listed | Applicable sections and restrictions | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capilano River — North Vancouver | Coho: June–November. Chinook: October–November. | Hatchery-marked coho retention varies by season. A 2026 size-restriction change applies to hatchery-marked Chinook Sept. 5–Nov. 30. | Bait ban Aug. 1–Oct. 31. The Chinook size change must not be extended to unmarked fish. The hatchery is closed to visitors until further notice. | Season · FN0960 · Region 2 |
| Chilliwack / Vedder rivers — Chilliwack | Chinook: August–November. Coho: October–December. | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | Specified waters below boundary signs 100 m downstream of the Slesse Creek confluence. Only the specified section of the Sumas is included; this does not open all tributaries. | Season · FN1122 · Region 2 |
| Chehalis River — Harrison Mills | Chinook: August–October. Coho: September–November. | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | Specified waters downstream of the logging-road bridge approximately 2.4 km below Chehalis Lake. | Season · FN1122 |
| Harrison River — Harrison Mills | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | The lake outlet–Highway 7 section and the Highway 7–Fraser confluence section are listed separately. These opportunities do not extend to the Fraser mainstem. | FN1122 · Region 2 | |
| Stave River — Ruskin | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | Below Ruskin Dam to the CPR Railway Bridge, excluding the Ruskin and Northrop spawning channels. | FN1122 · Region 2 | |
| Alouette River — Maple Ridge | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | The section from 216th Street Bridge to the Allco Park boundary signs and the section below the bridge to the Pitt River are listed separately. North Alouette has a separate entry. | FN1122 | |
| Nicomen / Dewdney Slough — Dewdney | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | The chum opportunity is below Highway 7 Bridge to the Fraser River. The coho boundary is different. | FN1122 · Region 2 | |
| Serpentine River — Surrey | Hatchery-marked coho retention. Chum: Oct. 17–Nov. 30; 2/day. | Downstream of 168th Street at Bothwell Park. | FN1122 | |
| Squamish River — Squamish | Coho: Sept. 15–Jan. 31; 1 H/day. | The hatchery-marked coho daily limit is one fish across the entire non-tidal Squamish system, not one per tributary. Bait ban. | Region 2 | |
| Cheakamus River — Squamish | Coho: Sept. 15–Jan. 31; 1 H/day. | Shares the Squamish watershed's combined daily limit. Bait ban. | Region 2 | |
| Mamquam River — Squamish | Coho: Sept. 15–Jan. 31; 1 H/day. | Shares the Squamish watershed's combined daily limit. Bait ban. | Region 2 |
Closures and locations without a confirmed opening
| Location | Status |
|---|---|
| Goldstream River | DFO Region 1 lists a year-round fishing closure. Salmon viewing does not make it a fishing destination. |
| Fraser River mainstem upstream of the CPR Bridge at Mission | DFO Region 2 lists no salmon fishing from April 1 until further notice. |
| Seymour River — North Vancouver | Provincial Region 2 regulations prohibit fishing downstream of Seymour Lake. Do not confuse this river with the river of the same name on Vancouver Island. |
| San Juan River — non-tidal waters near Port Renfrew | A current river salmon opening has not been confirmed. Tidal opportunities at the river mouth do not establish an opening upstream. |
| Sooke River — non-tidal waters | A current river salmon opening has not been confirmed. Saltwater fishing reports are not evidence of an opening in non-tidal waters. |
| Gold River and Salmon River — Vancouver Island | Insufficient verified information to recommend specific salmon-fishing sections. |
Sources: DFO Region 1, DFO Region 2 and provincial Region 2 regulations. An unconfirmed opening is not a finding that a river is permanently closed or has no salmon.
Access and orientation
These are official visitor destinations, not confirmed casting locations. Exact fishing coordinates, wading routes, parking availability and private-land access have not been established.
| River | Orientation point | Access notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Qualicum | 215 Fisheries Road; approach via River Road. | Do not park on Qualicum First Nation property. Visitor access does not override fishing closures. | Hatchery |
| Quinsam | 4217 Argonaut Road. | Hatchery gates normally open at 8 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m. Stay outside fishing closures. | Hatchery |
| Stamp | Stamp River Park. | Upper Slide Pool Trail is listed as closed. Check the falls closure before choosing a fishing position. | BC Parks |
| Chilliwack | Hatchery at 55205 Chilliwack Lake Road. | The salmon-fishing boundary is downstream of the Slesse Creek confluence. Hatchery parking is not a designated fishing location. | Hatchery |
| Stave | Ruskin Dam recreation area. | River levels can rise suddenly. Current parking availability is unconfirmed. Observe posted closures and hazard zones. | BC Hydro |
Before you fish
1. Confirm the river section, target species and date against the current DFO regional page and fishery notices. Do not carry an earlier year's opening forward.
2. Check provincial water-specific regulations and in-season changes for additional closures, bait bans and gear restrictions.
3. Establish whether you are in tidal or non-tidal waters. A river's name or freshwater appearance does not determine the applicable licence.
4. Locate the posted boundary signs before choosing a fishing position. Do not use a hatchery address as a substitute for a legal fishing boundary.
Licences. Licence requirements vary by age and residency. Adults generally need a basic freshwater fishing licence for non-tidal waters. Keeping salmon from non-tidal waters generally also requires a non-tidal salmon conservation stamp; that salmon stamp is not required if all salmon are released. Retained adult Chinook must be recorded immediately. Check the rules that apply to your circumstances. Licences · Conservation stamps
Daily limits and fish handling. In Region 2, salmon fishing is restricted to daylight hours. The combined daily limit for Pacific salmon from tidal and fresh waters is four, subject to lower species-specific limits. Closures apply around fish-counting, passage and rearing facilities. Deliberate snagging is illegal; salmon accidentally foul-hooked in a river must be released immediately with as little harm as possible. DFO Region 2 · DFO handling rules
Additional Region 2 rules
- A single barbless hook is required in all streams throughout the year.
- On the Capilano, fishing is closed upstream of the boundary signs at the footbridge approximately 100 m below the fish fence.
- On the Chilliwack / Vedder, fishing is closed above the Slesse Creek boundary signs. Additional section-specific closures apply in spring.
- On the Chehalis, fishing is closed between the lake outlet boundary signs and the logging-road bridge approximately 2.4 km downstream.
- On the Alouette, fishing is closed above the signs near the southern boundary fence of the Alouette River Management Society property.
- Most Squamish tributaries are closed. An opening on the mainstem does not establish an opening in every creek.
- The Ruskin and Northrop spawning channels on the Stave are closed to fishing.
- Tidal boundaries include the CN Railway Bridge on the Capilano, the CPR Bridge at Mission on the Fraser, and the CPR Bridge on the Stave.
Provincial Region 2 regulations
Official references
- DFO Region 1 — Vancouver Island salmon limits, openings and closures
- DFO Region 2 — Lower Mainland salmon limits, openings and closures
- DFO Fishery Notices
- BC freshwater fishing regulations and in-season changes
- DFO salmon-viewing seasons
The DFO regional pages used for this edition were dated October 5, 2026 (Region 1) and October 16, 2026 (Region 2). Where general viewing information differs from a hatchery's own page, the individual hatchery page is used. No verified, site-specific catch-rate data are provided.