Bella Coola Fishing

The Best Fishing Spots in Bella Coola

As any fisher knows, some of the best fishing spots are secret. But many fishing spots near Bella Coola have vehicle access and are not too difficult to find. Stop into at the Visitor Information Booth in town, pick up a valley map and get recommendations there. During salmon season, look for cars parked by the side of roads near rivers or streams as these indicate that there may be good fishing nearby! The same can be said for paths leading to rivers – obvious paths around here will likely lead to a really good fishing spot.

Both gear fishing and fly fishing take place in the rivers and streams of the valley watersheds. Licenses and gear needed for a great outing. Marine charts, new gear or replacements for that favourite lure or fly can be purchased locally at the Kopas Store in the village of Bella Coola, or at the Hagensborg Shop Easy.

Guided Fishing Trips

Guides can be hired for river-drifting trips that take visitors to excellent but otherwise inaccessible spots, or to the best bank-fishing spots. All guides accept direct bookings. When booking accommodation in Bella Coola, ask for the names and contact information of local guides or stop by the Visitor Centre for more information.

Several commercial fishermen also offer guided ocean fishing tours when they're not out fishing themselves. Notices of availability and contact information can be found on a bulletin board at the Government wharf 3km/1.9mi west of Bella Coola. The Harbour Master is on duty weekday mornings and will be happy to answer questions.

The guided river fishing season runs from May to October. Guided ocean fishing is from July to September.

For those more interested in learning about fish than actually catching one, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans operates the extensive Snootli Creek Hatchery a short, 7-minute drive east of Bella Coola on Highway 20. The hatchery offers free tours Monday to Friday year round.

Bella Coola Fishing Tips

• Interested in First Nations fisheries? Contact the Nuxalk Band office 250-799-5680 for information on locations and seasons.
• For river access information visit the Visitor Centre in Bella Coola.
• Visitors are advised that steelhead is present in the rivers of the Bella Coola Valley and are protected. Any fish accidentally caught must be released unharmed.
• Chinook salmon (also known as "spring" in Canada or "king" in the United States) run from mid-May to mid-July. Coho run from late August to late February. Chum, or "dog" salmon run from late July to November. Pink salmon spawn from late July to mid October, and sockeye, also known as "red salmon" in Alaska because of the deep red coloring they take on late in their spawn cycle, run from early July until mid-October.
• Cutthroat trout fishing is usually best between March and May.

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