Fishing
Fishing at sunset (Picture BC photo)
Anglers flock to Terrace for river fishing.
The Skeena River and its tributaries are some of the most important spawning grounds in the province for Pacific salmon and offer hundreds of popular and secrets spots for visitors and locals alike.
The Terrace area is home to all five species of salmon, though anglers venture to the lakes to try for trout as well.
The fishing seasons in Terrace and area vary per species. Steelhead run from March to May and August to November. Chinook are here from May to mid-August. Coho are around from mid-August to the end of October. Sockeye, pinks and chum have shorter seasons from the beginning of July to mid- to late August. Trout are in the lakes year-round. Some of the fishing spots are walk-in, while others are drive-in and boat-in.
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Best Spots and Licenses
Besides the Skeena, Anglers – bar fishers and fly fishers – may venture onto the rocks on Ferry Island, the municipal campground just minutes from downtown, while others drive the highway and logging roads for hours searching for what they hope is the magic spot of the day.
Various fishing shops in town sell licenses, bait, poles and other accessories. Staff are friendly and will also offer advice on where to go and what equipment and bait is best to use depending on the target fish, location and season.
Fishing Charters
Charters and guides are available for hire. Various lodges, mostly aimed at anglers, are also in the area though they can be expensive, far from town, and require reservations in advance. The Terrace Visitor Centre has more information about charters, guides and lodges including a list of many in the region. It also has a list of popular fishing spots in the area.
Practical Information
- All fishers over 16 years old, resident and non-resident, need a license to fish even for a day, whether they catch something or not. These can be bought at local fishing stores. The cost depends on where and what you want to fish, and whether you want to keep it or not.
- Strict laws dictate where anglers can fish, what kind of fish they can keep, how many they can keep and many other specifics such as which hooks are legal and illegal on which rivers. Due to struggling fish populations and serious penalties, visitors should follow these rules carefully.
- Regulations booklets, the Sport Fishing Regulations Synopsis, can be found at the Terrace Visitor Centre just across the new bridge on Highway 16.
- Finally, be wary of bears in the area as they are hungry for salmon too.
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Things To Do
Water Activities