Fishing in the Skeena & North Central BC

1. Skeena River (Steelhead)

Terrace to Prince Rupert

The Skeena River is one of the world's premier steelhead rivers. The river's massive size and powerful current produce steelhead averaging 10-15 pounds, with fish over 20 pounds common.

2. Skeena River (Salmon)

Skeena watershed

The Skeena River hosts runs of all five Pacific salmon species. Chinook and coho are the primary targets for anglers.

3. Babine Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Near Smithers

Babine Lake is the largest natural lake in BC and offers excellent rainbow trout, lake trout, and kokanee fishing. The lake is famous for its large rainbow trout.

4. Bulkley River (Eel, Steelhead)

Smithers area

The Bulkley River is a major tributary of the Skeena, offering world-class steelhead and salmon fishing. The river's clear water and classic runs make it a fly fishing paradise.

5. Kitimat River (Eel, Steelhead)

Kitimat

The Kitimat River offers excellent salmon and steelhead fishing near the coast. The river's short, powerful run produces bright, aggressive fish.

6. Kispiox River (Eel, Steelhead)

Kispiox area

The Kispiox River is a famous Skeena tributary known for producing large steelhead. The river's clear, cold water and classic runs are ideal for fly fishing.

7. Nass River (Eel, Steelhead)

Nass Valley

The Nass River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in a remote wilderness setting. The river is known for large, powerful steelhead.

8. Morice River (Eel, Steelhead)

Near Houston

The Morice River is a major steelhead stream in the Skeena system. The river also offers excellent salmon fishing.

9. Lakelse Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Near Terrace

Lakelse Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and Dolly Varden fishing near Terrace. The lake is a popular family destination.

10. Sustut River (Eel, Steelhead)

Remote northern BC

The Sustut River is a remote Skeena tributary offering wilderness steelhead fishing. Access is by float plane or helicopter.

11. Zymoetz River (Copper)

Terrace area

The Zymoetz River, also known as the Copper River, offers steelhead and salmon fishing near Terrace.

12. Kitsumkalum Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Near Terrace

Kitsumkalum Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing near Terrace. The lake is a popular recreation area.

13. Bear River (Eel, Steelhead)

Stewart area

The Bear River offers salmon and steelhead fishing near Stewart in the remote north coast region.

14. Stikine River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)

Northwestern BC

The Stikine River is a major northern river offering steelhead, salmon, and rainbow trout fishing in a remote wilderness setting. The river flows from the Spatsizi Plateau to the Pacific near Wrangell, Alaska.

15. Liard River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout)

Northern BC

The Liard River flows through far northern BC, offering Arctic grayling, northern pike, and rainbow trout fishing. The Liard Hot Springs provide a unique post-fishing soak.

16. Skeena River (Bulkley Confluence)

Hazelton area

The Skeena River at the Bulkley confluence near Hazelton offers excellent steelhead and salmon fishing.

17. Kalum River (Eel, Steelhead)

Terrace area

The Kalum River is a major steelhead stream in the Skeena system. The river offers both summer and winter steelhead runs.

18. Kitselas Canyon (Salmon)

Skeena River

Kitselas Canyon on the Skeena River is a traditional First Nations fishing site and offers excellent salmon fishing.

19. Zymagotitz River (Eel, Steelhead)

Terrace area

The Zymagotitz River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in the Terrace area.

20. Kleanza Creek (Eel, Steelhead)

Terrace area

Kleanza Creek offers steelhead and salmon fishing near Terrace.

21. Shames River (Eel, Steelhead)

Terrace area

The Shames River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in the Terrace region.

22. Exchamsiks River (Eel, Steelhead)

Near Prince Rupert

The Exchamsiks River offers salmon and steelhead fishing near Prince Rupert.

23. Khtada River (Eel, Steelhead)

Prince Rupert area

The Khtada River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in the Prince Rupert region.

24. Lakelse River (Eel, Steelhead)

Terrace area

The Lakelse River offers salmon and steelhead fishing flowing from Lakelse Lake.

25. Babine River (Eel, Steelhead)

Babine Lake outlet

The Babine River, flowing from Babine Lake, offers excellent steelhead and salmon fishing.

26. Sustut Lake (Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout)

Remote north

Sustut Lake offers rainbow trout and Arctic grayling fishing in the remote Sustut region.

27. Bear Lake (Omineca)

Near Mt. Milligan

Bear Lake offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in the Omineca region.

28. Tachie River (Rainbow Trout)

Fort St. James area

The Tachie River connects Stuart Lake to Trembleur Lake and offers excellent rainbow trout fishing.

29. Prince Rupert Harbour (Saltwater)

Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert Harbour offers excellent saltwater fishing for Chinook and coho salmon in Chatham Sound. The harbour is protected from Pacific storms.

30. Chatham Sound (Saltwater)

Prince Rupert area

Chatham Sound offers world-class saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut. The nutrient-rich waters attract large Chinook salmon averaging 20-40 pounds.

31. Kitimat Harbour (Saltwater)

Kitimat

Kitimat Harbour offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in Douglas Channel. The deep-water harbour provides good boat access.

32. Douglas Channel (Saltwater)

Kitimat area

Douglas Channel offers excellent saltwater fishing for Chinook salmon, coho, and halibut in a dramatic fjord setting.

33. Stewart Harbour (Saltwater)

Stewart

Stewart Harbour offers saltwater fishing for salmon in the Portland Canal, the longest fjord in North America.

34. Portland Canal (Saltwater)

Stewart area

Portland Canal offers saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut in a stunning glacial fjord setting at the US border.

35. Work Channel (Saltwater)

Near Prince Rupert

Work Channel offers remote saltwater fishing for salmon in the Prince Rupert area.

36. Grenville Channel (Saltwater)

Inside Passage

Grenville Channel offers protected saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut in BC's Inside Passage.

37. Hartley Bay (Saltwater)

North of Kitimat

Hartley Bay offers remote saltwater fishing for salmon in the Douglas Channel area.