British Columbia Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Barbed hooks are ILLEGAL in any river, stream, creek or slough in BC (barbless mandatory there all year). Barbed hooks permitted in lakes unless the water table says otherwise. Region 1 streams: single barbless hook all year.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout (lakes) | 4 (max 1 over 50 cm) | No general minimum size in lakes |
| Trout (streams) | 2 (hatchery origin only) | Release all wild trout from streams |
| Bass | Unlimited (check water-specific table) | |
| Kokanee | 5 (none from streams) | |
| Yellow perch | Unlimited | |
| Crayfish | 25 | Release any under 9 cm or bearing eggs |
| White Sturgeon | Catch and release only |
Seasons
8 regions with region-specific quotas; salmon rules per region on pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Licence Fees
Annual BC freshwater licence (resident 16-65) per gov.bc.ca; tidal waters licence separate (DFO).
Edition: Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025-2027 · Effective: Apr 1, 2025 - Mar 31, 2027 · Source: BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis (gov.bc.ca) + DFO Pacific
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