Fishing | Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, BC | Tourism BC

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Fishing

Fishing near 100 Mile House, Picture BC photo

Venture inland in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region and find a fly-fishing paradise. There are 8,000 lakes, 17,000km/10,000mi of rivers and countless streams that offer anglers unparalleled fishing options. Travel outward to the Pacific coast and discover an area known for huge fish hiding in its lakes, rivers and ocean waters.

For saltwater fishing, the Coast offers trophy-sized salmon and halibut, which can be caught from the world-famous waters around Hakai Pass, Shearwater and further south in Rivers Inlet.

Most of the saltwater fishing in this part of the region is focused around remote fishing camps and lodges accessed by floatplane or boat.

Fly-in and Wilderness Lodges

Anglers fishing in the Cariboo Chilcotin can choose from luxury wilderness resorts, lodges or rustic campgrounds. Check in with the local communities' Visitor Centres to find out more.

As befits a region that offers a variety of fishing experiences, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast also boasts incredible scenery, healthy stocks and uncrowded waters for anglers to discover.

Wildlife viewing in these areas of the coast is spectacular. Orcas, humpback whales and grey whales frequent these waters alongside porpoises, dolphins and sea lions.

Types of Fish in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Salmon: All five species of salmon can be caught, including coho, sockeye, pink, chum and trophy-sized spring, or chinook up to 34kg/75lb.
Rainbow trout: Trophy-sized rainbows up to 7kg/16lb can be found in some lakes.
Cutthroat and steelhead trout: Some of BC’s finest steelhead rivers are found in this region
Halibut: This popular and tasty fish can reach weights of hundreds of pounds.
Other popular species include rockfish, lingcod, various shellfish, brook trout, burbot, and kokanee.

Freshwater Fishing Highlights

The Fishing Highway: The section of Highway 24 between the town of Lone Butte and Little Fort is known as the "fishing highway." There are more than 100 lakes within an hour’s drive of each other.
Chilcotin, Chilko and Dean rivers: These rivers are famous for steelhead fishing and rainbow trout.
Blackwater River: This heritage river is famous for dry fly fishing and wild rainbow trout.
Nimpo Lake: Nimpo Lake has great rainbow and bull trout and is a major centre for floatplane excursions to the many remote lakes and resorts in the area.
Dragon Lake: One of the best trout lakes in the region, known for its impressively large rainbow trout that regularly reach 5kg/12lb.
Quesnel Lake: The deepest glacial-formed lake in the world, Quesnel Lake features huge fish and almost 600km/360mi of shoreline to explore.

Saltwater Fishing Highlights

Hakai Pass: This legendary fishing spot is a scenic marine park made up of many sheltered islands, channels and bays. It is well known for spectacular spring and coho salmon fishing, as well as an abundance of halibut, lingcod and rockfish.
Denny Island: Shearwater, located on this mid-coast island, is a peaceful and scenic fishing destination that provides access to Milbanke and Camano sound, home to great open-water fishing for salmon and halibut.
Bella Coola: Accessed via Hwy 20, Bella Coola is the only coastal city in the region accessible by car. For a unique trip take the BC Ferries Discovery Coast Passage sailings and explore the remote coastal towns of the area.
Rivers Inlet: This picturesque inlet lies just south of Bella Coola and boasts a reputation for legendary fishing that's as big as the fish that can be caught here. Huge trophy chinook salmon – which can weigh around 70lb/34kg – are what draw anglers to these glossy, protected waters.

Practical Points and License Information

Appropriate fishing licenses are required for fresh and saltwater fishing. Both types can be purchased online via the Government of BC's website or at sporting good stores and other fishing retailers.
Check with authorities for the current restriction status of sport fish catches.
Life jackets are mandatory in BC.
Boating regulations may be in effect.

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1 - 9 of 9 Results

1. Northern Rockies Lodge - Muncho Lake

Mile 462 Alaska Hwy
Muncho Lake, British Columbia
V0C 1Z0

Enjoy world-class fishing in the unspoiled wilderness of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Fly-out daily from our comfortable lodge & choose from over 70 pristine remote lakes & streams. Fly-fish or spin cast in BC's Arctic & Pacific watersheds for rainbow Trout, walleye, arctic grayling, northern pike, lake trout & dolly varden. Longing for tranquillity on your very own remote mountain lake? Let us fly you to an outpost cabin in the heart of the Muskwa-Kechika, also known as the Serengeti of the North. You will experience incredible fishing & wildlife viewing. Packages include flight from Vancouver. Drive safe on your travel!

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Spring Specials

Experience two days of fly out fishing in the unspoiled Muskwa-Kechika & Northern Rocky Mountains.

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2. Ocean Falls Fishing Lodge Charters - Ocean Falls

1 Front St
Ocean Falls, British Columbia
V0T 1P0

Ocean Falls Fishing Lodge and Charters is dedicated to world class fishing, endless fun & excellent food. In addition to abundant salmon, halibut & cod, we offer a Trout fisherman's dream at Link Lake only 5 minutes away. Ocean Falls in the Great Bear Rainforest was described by National Geographic as the wildest place in North America. Ocean Falls Fishing Lodge & Charters is owned & operated by a retired fire captain. "I want people to come & have the best time ever, that means a bucket of prawns, a bucket of beer & the best fishing you can find". Inclusive meal plan with fishing packages.

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3. Rivers Inlet Sportsman's Club - Rivers Inlet

Fly-In Trophy Fishing Lodge
Rivers Inlet, British Columbia
V6P 4Z9

Trophy Salmon Fishing at the all-inclusive Rivers Inlet Sportsman's Club is more than a world-class fishing experience. We offer you a rare treat where you can enjoy quiet time with family, friends & colleagues. There are no roads, crowds, cellphones/texting. Family operated, our floating lodge is only 5 min from fishing grounds, where Salmon weighing up to a record 126 lbs have been caught. Fish for Chinook, Coho, Halibut, etc. There's also sightseeing, whale watching, hiking trails, fly-fishing & boating/cruising; relax on sandy beaches. Everything here is first class: gear, guides, lodging & meals. Book today.

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Spirit of 2010 Trophy Salmon Fishing Special

$400 off regular trip price PP, as seen on Rivers Inlet Sportsman's Club website.

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4. Shearwater Resort & Marina Fishing & Eco Tours - Bella Bella

Denny Island
Bella Bella, British Columbia
V0T 1B0

Shearwater Fishing Resort is a sportfishing fixture on the Central Coast of BC for almost 60 years. We didn't choose our location by accident - we centred ourselves in arguably one of the hottest Salmon fishing areas in the world. First Nations know this. Commercial fishermen know this, & sport fishermen are now learning this too! We truly do offer something for everyone's taste & budget. Our inclusive fly-in packages offer the ultimate in first-class fishing getaways where everything is taken care of for you. Or, choose to arrive by BC Ferries on a "do-it-yourself" style package & take a more hands on approach.

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5. Valley Fishing Guides - Brackendale

1477 Judd Rd
Brackendale, British Columbia
V0N 1H0

Specializing in remote wilderness fly-fishing trips by helicopter, float plane and 4x4 in the Coast and Chilcotin mountains of British Columbia for trout, salmon, steelhead and char. Same day, multi-day and certified casting lessons available.

We are located in Squamish, 1 hour north of Vancouver & 40 mins south of Whistler. Our local watersheds offer abundant lake and river fishing and some of the most fantastic fishing opportunities on the BC Coast. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned fisher person, our guides are dedicated to providing the best fly-fishing experience on the West Coast of Canada.

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6. Ecotours-BC & Pyna-tee-ah Fly Fishing - Likely

CTC SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE (2012). Grizzlies, wildlife, birds and nature Simply amazing natural and intimate encounters with nature and wildlife in the Cariboo Mountains - grizzly bear watching with the "Bear Whisperer", bird watching, spectacular alpine hiking, and winter moose, wildlife and wolves snowshoeing adventures. Observe the cycle of life of the salmon and bears on the rivers. Experience world-class fly fishing for legendary wild trout and salmon on the gin clear pure uncrowded rivers of the Cariboo mountains. Fully guided, all-inclusive holiday adventure packages. Truly unique Canadian wilderness adventures giving you lifetime memories and life changing moments in nature.

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7. Nazko Lake Provincial Park - Alexis Creek

NW Of Alexis Creek
Alexis Creek, British Columbia
V0L 1A0

Nazko Lake Provincial Park provides canoeing, fishing, camping & wildlife viewing in a natural environment, while protecting extensive wetlands. This is a wilderness park, offering a 2 to 3 day wilderness canoe circuit, along with 2 rustic, vehicle-access campgrounds.

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8. Ts'il?os Provincial Park - Williams Lake

160 Km SW Of Williams Lake
Williams Lake, British Columbia
V2G 5C5

The park comprises of rugged mountains, clear blue lakes, glaciers, alpine meadows & waterfalls. This remote area offers backcountry hiking & camping. Chilko Lake, the largest, natural high-elevation freshwater lake in Canada, is popular with boaters, kayakers & anglers. Horseback riding is permitted. Please visit our website for more details.

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9. Tweedsmuir Lodge Grizzly Bear Tours - Bella Coola

7001 Corbould Rd
Bella Coola, British Columbia
V0T 1C0

Our Grizzly Bear Viewing trips run early September through October. This is when the local rivers are host to teeming numbers of Salmon which draw the Grizzly Bears hoping to fatten up for the winter. At this time of the year the Grizzly Bears are intent on fishing and are more tolerant of both other bears and people and are therefore much easier to observe.

Accompanied by an experienced guide, our drift trips are the perfect way to see the bears and wildlife of the Bella Coola valley.

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Save up to $528! Grizzlies/Skiing/Fishing

Save up to $528*/person! 10% off Grizzlies, Fishing, First Nations Experiences, Float/drift trips and Heli-Skiing.

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1 - 9 of 9 Results

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Fishing

Fly-in and Wilderness Lodges

Types of Fish in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Freshwater Fishing Highlights

Saltwater Fishing Highlights

Practical Points and License Information

Narrow Your Results

1. Northern Rockies Lodge - Muncho Lake

Spring Specials

2. Ocean Falls Fishing Lodge Charters - Ocean Falls

3. Rivers Inlet Sportsman's Club - Rivers Inlet

Spirit of 2010 Trophy Salmon Fishing Special

4. Shearwater Resort & Marina Fishing & Eco Tours - Bella Bella

5. Valley Fishing Guides - Brackendale

Other businesses with Fishing

6. Ecotours-BC & Pyna-tee-ah Fly Fishing - Likely

7. Nazko Lake Provincial Park - Alexis Creek

8. Ts'il?os Provincial Park - Williams Lake

9. Tweedsmuir Lodge Grizzly Bear Tours - Bella Coola

Save up to $528! Grizzlies/Skiing/Fishing

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