Fishing in the Lower Mainland & Vancouver
Fraser River salmon and sturgeon, Howe Sound, Capilano Reservoir, Seymour River -- urban fishing at its best.
1. Fraser River (Vancouver to Hope)
Vancouver to HopeThe Fraser River is BC's mightiest salmon river, hosting all five Pacific salmon species plus white sturgeon. Fishing is excellent from the Vancouver harbour upstream to Hope for Chinook, coho, and pink salmon. Sturgeon fishing is world-class in the lower Fraser.
2. Fraser River (Sturgeon)
Lower Fraser ValleyThe lower Fraser River is one of the best white sturgeon fisheries in the world. Fish can exceed 10 feet and 500 pounds. Catch-and-release only. Guided trips are available from Vancouver, Richmond, and Chilliwack.
3. Howe Sound (Chinook Salmon)
Vancouver north shoreHowe Sound offers excellent saltwater fishing for Chinook salmon, coho, and halibut. Access from Horseshoe Bay, Porteau Cove, and Lions Bay. Trolling with downriggers is standard.
4. Capilano Reservoir (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
North VancouverCapilano Reservoir offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in a scenic mountain setting. Limited access permits are required. The reservoir is stocked regularly.
5. Seymour River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
North VancouverThe Seymour River offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in a coastal rainforest setting. The river is catch-and-release only in many sections.
6. Lynn Creek (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
North VancouverLynn Creek offers coastal cutthroat trout and rainbow trout fishing in a beautiful canyon setting.
7. Indian Arm (Burrard Inlet)
North VancouverIndian Arm offers saltwater fishing for Chinook and coho salmon. The fjord's protected waters provide excellent kayak fishing opportunities.
8. Boundary Bay (Cutthroat Trout)
DeltaBoundary Bay offers shore fishing for cutthroat trout, Dungeness crab, and various bottom fish. The bay is an important bird sanctuary.
9. Sturgeon Banks (Richmond)
RichmondSturgeon Banks is a productive estuary offering excellent sturgeon and salmon fishing in the Fraser River delta.
10. Harrison River (Chinook Salmon)
Harrison Hot SpringsThe Harrison River offers excellent salmon and sturgeon fishing. The river hosts one of the largest Chinook salmon runs in BC.
11. Harrison Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Harrison Hot SpringsHarrison Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in a stunning mountain setting. The lake is the largest in southwestern BC.
12. Pitt River (Salmon, Sturgeon)
Pitt MeadowsThe Pitt River offers sturgeon and salmon fishing in the lower Fraser Valley. The river's tidal influence creates diverse fishing conditions.
13. Alouette Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Golden Ears ParkAlouette Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing in Golden Ears Provincial Park. The lake has a popular beach and campground.
14. Stave Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Mission areaStave Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in a scenic reservoir setting. The lake is less developed than nearby Alouette.
15. Chehalis River (Eel, Steelhead)
Near Harrison MillsThe Chehalis River offers excellent salmon and steelhead fishing. The river's clear waters and pristine setting make it a popular fly fishing destination.
16. Fraser River (Salmon)
Steveston to MissionThe Fraser River through Richmond, New Westminster, and Mission hosts massive runs of Chinook, sockeye, coho, and pink salmon. Trolling and mooching are standard techniques.
17. Brunette River (Cutthroat Trout)
BurnabyThe Brunette River offers cutthroat trout and salmon fishing in Burnaby. The river flows through Burnaby Lake into the Fraser.
18. Coquitlam River (Eel, Steelhead)
CoquitlamThe Coquitlam River offers salmon and steelhead fishing in the Tri-Cities area. The river is accessible from several parks.
19. Serpentine River (Cutthroat Trout)
SurreyThe Serpentine River offers cutthroat trout and salmon fishing in Surrey. The river flows into Mud Bay.
20. Nicomekl River (Cutthroat Trout)
Surrey/LangleyThe Nicomekl River offers cutthroat trout and salmon fishing flowing through Surrey and Langley into Mud Bay.
21. Sumas River (Eel, Steelhead)
AbbotsfordThe Sumas River offers salmon and steelhead fishing in the Fraser Valley near Abbotsford.
22. Vedder River (Chilliwack)
ChilliwackThe Vedder River is one of BC's most popular salmon and steelhead streams. The river hosts Chinook, coho, and steelhead runs.
23. Chilliwack Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilliwack areaChilliwack Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in a stunning mountain setting.
24. Cultus Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chilliwack areaCultus Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and bass fishing in a popular recreation lake.
25. Sasquatch Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Harrison areaSasquatch Lake offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in the Harrison region.
26. Deer Lake (Rainbow Trout)
BurnabyDeer Lake offers stocked rainbow trout fishing within Burnaby. The lake is a popular urban fishing spot.
27. Trout Lake (Vancouver)
VancouverTrout Lake in Vancouver offers stocked rainbow trout fishing in the heart of the city.
28. Buntzen Lake (Rainbow Trout)
AnmoreBuntzen Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in a beautiful lake near Vancouver. Day-use permits are required.
29. Como Lake (Rainbow Trout)
CoquitlamComo Lake offers stocked rainbow trout fishing in Coquitlam. The small urban lake is popular for family fishing.
30. Jones Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Near HopeJones Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in a scenic mountain setting near Hope. Access is via a gravel road.
31. Silver Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Hope areaSilver Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing near Hope in the Fraser Canyon.
32. Weaver Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Harrison areaWeaver Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Harrison Mills area.
33. North Alouette River (Cutthroat Trout)
Maple RidgeThe North Alouette River offers cutthroat trout and salmon fishing in Maple Ridge.
34. Kanaka Creek (Cutthroat Trout)
Maple RidgeKanaka Creek offers cutthroat trout and salmon fishing in Maple Ridge. The creek flows into the Fraser River.
35. Mamquam River (Eel, Steelhead)
SquamishThe Mamquam River offers salmon and steelhead fishing near Squamish. The river is accessible from the Sea to Sky Highway.
36. Cheakamus River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Squamish/WhistlerThe Cheakamus River offers rainbow trout and steelhead fishing in the Squamish-Whistler corridor.
37. Steveston Harbour (Saltwater)
RichmondSteveston Harbour offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in the Fraser River estuary. The historic fishing village is a popular destination.
38. White Rock Pier (Saltwater)
White RockThe White Rock Pier offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in Semiahmoo Bay. The pier is one of BC's longest.
39. Jericho Beach (Saltwater)
VancouverJericho Beach offers saltwater fishing for salmon in English Bay. The beach is a popular shore fishing spot.
40. Point Atkinson (Saltwater)
West VancouverPoint Atkinson offers saltwater fishing for salmon in Burrard Inlet near Lighthouse Park.
41. Porteau Cove (Saltwater)
Howe SoundPorteau Cove Provincial Park offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in Howe Sound.
42. Stanley Park Seawall (Saltwater)
VancouverThe Stanley Park seawall offers saltwater shore fishing for salmon and cutthroat trout in English Bay and Burrard Inlet. Popular spots include Brockton Point, Prospect Point, and Second Beach.
43. False Creek (Saltwater)
VancouverFalse Creek offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in Vancouver's urban waterway. Fishing is best near the Granville Island area and the Burrard Street Bridge.
44. Burrard Inlet (Saltwater)
Vancouver/North VancouverBurrard Inlet offers saltwater fishing for Chinook and coho salmon along the Vancouver and North Vancouver waterfronts. Access from the waterfront parks and piers.
45. Lions Bay (Saltwater)
Howe SoundLions Bay offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in Howe Sound. The small community has a public boat launch and pier access.
46. Gibsons Harbour (Saltwater)
Sunshine CoastGibsons Harbour offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish on the Sunshine Coast. The harbour is accessible by ferry from Vancouver.
Fishing Tips for the Lower Mainland & Vancouver Region
- Get a licence -- All anglers 18+ need a BC fishing licence. Buy online at fishing.gov.bc.ca. A separate salmon conservation stamp is required.
- Watch the tides -- Saltwater fishing in Howe Sound and the Fraser estuary is heavily influenced by tides. Check tide tables before heading out.
- Sturgeon are catch-and-release -- White sturgeon in the Fraser River are strictly catch-and-release. Use barbless hooks and keep fish in the water.
- Book guided trips -- For Fraser River sturgeon and salmon, guided trips are the most productive option.
- Try urban fishing -- The Fraser River through Vancouver offers excellent fishing within the city limits.
- Get a licence — All anglers 18+ need an Ontario fishing licence. Buy online at ontario.ca/fishing.
- Watch Great Lakes weather — Lake Erie is notorious for sudden, dangerous storms. Check marine forecasts before heading out.
- Hire a charter — For Lake Ontario salmon and Lake Erie walleye, chartered trips are the most productive option.
- Fish the Bay of Quinte in fall — September through November offers the best trophy walleye fishing in the bay.
- Try the Niagara River — The Niagara River offers year-round fishing opportunities unmatched in Ontario.
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