Fishing in the Skeena & North Central BC
Explore fishing in the Skeena & North Central BC of British Columbia. Skeena River, Babine Lake, Bulkley River, Kitimat
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.
1. Skeena River (Steelhead)
Terrace to Prince RupertThe Skeena River at the Bulkley confluence offers excellent steelhead and salmon fishing.
Boat Launch: Exstew River Boat Launch →
2. Babine Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Babine Lake, British ColumbiaBabine 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.
3. Bulkley River (Eel, Steelhead)
Smithers areaThe 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.
4. Kitimat River (Eel, Steelhead)
KitimatThe Kitimat River offers excellent salmon and steelhead fishing. The river's short, powerful run produces bright, aggressive fish.
5. Kispiox River (Eel, Steelhead)
Kispiox areaThe 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.
6. Nass River (Eel, Steelhead)
Nass ValleyThe Nass River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in a remote wilderness setting. The river is known for large, powerful steelhead.
7. Morice River (Eel, Steelhead)
Morice River, British ColumbiaThe Morice River is a major steelhead stream in the Skeena system. The river also offers excellent salmon fishing.
8. Lakelse Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Lakelse Lake, British ColumbiaLakelse Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and Dolly Varden fishing. The lake is a popular family destination.
9. Sustut River (Eel, Steelhead)
Remote northern BCThe Sustut River is a remote Skeena tributary offering wilderness steelhead fishing. Access is by float plane or helicopter.
10. Zymoetz River (Copper)
Terrace areaThe Zymoetz River, also known as the Copper River, offers steelhead and salmon fishing.
11. Kitsumkalum Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Kitsumkalum Lake, British ColumbiaKitsumkalum Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing. The lake is a popular recreation area.
12. Bear River (Eel, Steelhead)
Stewart areaThe Bear River offers salmon and steelhead fishing in the remote north coast region.
13. Stikine River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Northwestern BCThe 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.
14. Liard River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout)
Northern BCThe 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.
15. Kalum River (Eel, Steelhead)
Terrace areaThe Kalum River is a major steelhead stream in the Skeena system. The river offers both summer and winter steelhead runs.
16. Kitselas Canyon (Salmon)
Skeena RiverKitselas Canyon on the Skeena River is a traditional First Nations fishing site and offers excellent salmon fishing.
17. Zymagotitz River (Eel, Steelhead)
Terrace areaThe Zymagotitz River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in the Terrace area.
Boat Launch: Kitsumkaylum Boat Launch →
18. Kleanza Creek (Eel, Steelhead)
Terrace areaKleanza Creek offers steelhead and salmon fishing.
19. Shames River (Eel, Steelhead)
Terrace areaThe Shames River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in the Terrace region.
Boat Launch: Exstew River Boat Launch →
20. Exchamsiks River (Eel, Steelhead)
Exchamsiks River, British ColumbiaThe Exchamsiks River offers salmon and steelhead fishing.
Boat Launch: Exchamsiks River →
21. Khtada River (Eel, Steelhead)
Prince Rupert areaThe Khtada River offers steelhead and salmon fishing in the Prince Rupert region.
Boat Launch: Kasiks River Boat Launch →
22. Lakelse River (Eel, Steelhead)
Terrace areaThe Lakelse River offers salmon and steelhead fishing flowing from Lakelse Lake.
Boat Launch: Fisherman's Memorial Park Boat Launch →
23. Babine River (Eel, Steelhead)
Babine Lake outletThe Babine River, flowing from Babine Lake, offers excellent steelhead and salmon fishing.
24. Sustut Lake (Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout)
Remote northSustut Lake offers rainbow trout and Arctic grayling fishing in the remote Sustut region.
25. Bear Lake (Omineca)
Bear Lake, British ColumbiaBear Lake offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in the Omineca region.
26. Tachie River (Rainbow Trout)
Fort St. James areaThe Tachie River connects Stuart Lake to Trembleur Lake and offers excellent rainbow trout fishing.
27. Prince Rupert Harbour (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Prince RupertPrince Rupert Harbour offers excellent saltwater fishing for Chinook and coho salmon in Chatham Sound. The harbour is protected from Pacific storms.
Boat Launch: Rushbrook Harbour Boat Launch →
28. Chatham Sound (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Prince Rupert areaChatham Sound offers world-class saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut. The nutrient-rich waters attract large Chinook salmon averaging 20-40 pounds.
Boat Launch: Metlakatla Dock →
29. Kitimat Harbour (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
KitimatKitimat Harbour offers saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish in Douglas Channel. The deep-water harbour provides good boat access.
30. Douglas Channel (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Kitimat areaDouglas Channel offers excellent saltwater fishing for Chinook salmon, coho, and halibut in a dramatic fjord setting.
31. Stewart Harbour (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
StewartStewart Harbour offers saltwater fishing for salmon in the Portland Canal, the longest fjord in North America.
32. Portland Canal (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Stewart areaPortland Canal offers saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut in a stunning glacial fjord setting at the US border.
33. Work Channel (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Work Channel, British ColumbiaWork Channel offers remote saltwater fishing for salmon in the Prince Rupert area.
Boat Launch: Lax kw'alaams Marina →
34. Grenville Channel (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Inside PassageGrenville Channel offers protected saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut in BC's Inside Passage.
Boat Launch: Grenville Channel →
35. Hartley Bay (Steelhead, Eel, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Arctic Grayling)
Hartley Bay, British ColumbiaHartley Bay offers remote saltwater fishing for salmon in the Douglas Channel area.
Boat Launch: Gitga’at Marina →
36. Atlin Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Atlin Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
37. Barrett Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Barrett Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
38. Bennett Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Bennett Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
39. Buckley Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Buckley Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
40. Cheslatta Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Cheslatta Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
41. Cunningham Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Cunningham Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
Boat Launch: Cunningham Lake →
42. François Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
François Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
43. Frog Lakes (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Frog Lakes, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
44. Gunanoot Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Gunanoot Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
45. Kakiddi Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Kakiddi Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
46. Kotcho Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Kotcho Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
47. Lava Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Lava Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
48. Lava Lakes (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Lava Lakes, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
49. Lindeman Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Lindeman Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
50. Little Ball Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Little Ball Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
Boat Launch: Little Ball Lake →
51. Melita Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Melita Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
52. Mess Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Mess Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
53. Meziadin Lake Provincial Park (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Meziadin Lake Provincial Park, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
54. Muncho Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Muncho Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
55. Nation Lakes (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Nation Lakes, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
56. Nechako Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Nechako Reservoir, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
57. Nuttlude Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Nuttlude Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
58. Ross Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Ross Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
59. Sikanni Chief Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Sikanni Chief Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
Boat Launch: Sikanni Chief Lake →
60. Swan Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Swan Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
61. Tagish Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Tagish Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
62. Tatlatui Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Tatlatui Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
63. Teslin Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Teslin Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
64. Thutade Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Thutade Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
65. Tuya Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Tuya Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
66. Wokkpash Lake (Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Omineca)
Wokkpash Lake, British ColumbiaPopular fishing lake in the Skeena & North Central BC region of British Columbia.
Fishing Tips for the Skeena & North Central BC
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid fishing licence for your province — buy online before heading out.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in British Columbia; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Skeena & North Central BC waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in British Columbia
- Cariboo & Chilcotin
- Haida Gwaii & the North Coast
- Kootenays
- Lower Mainland & Vancouver
- Thompson & Okanagan
- Vancouver Island
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.