Sport Fishing in BC

Journey to the northern tip of magnificent Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) where thick salmon runs create some of the best sport fishing in North America; halibut and bottom fish abound here too. Fly into the MV Charlotte Princess or the Langara Fishing Lodge, both moored at Langara Island, or settle into the luxurious Langara Island Lodge, set on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

From Prince Rupert on BC’s rugged North Coast, hop aboard Deep Sea Charters’ “Ocean Slayer” and head out in search of salmon, halibut, lingcod and dungeness crab. Or take your gear inland for freshwater fishing on two of North America’s most important salmon-producing rivers: the Skeena and the Nass. Prince Rupert has several waterfront hotels; for stunning views, book into The Crest Hotel.

Enjoy a tug-of-war with a wild Chinook salmon off Vancouver Island. Your base camp? Campbell River. About four hours north of Victoria, this fishing mecca has been dubbed the “Salmon Capital of the World,” thanks to the sheer size and volume of fish caught here. Overnight at the iconic Painters Lodge in Campbell River or the serene April Point Resort & Spa, across the channel on Quadra Island. At dawn, head out on the water with an experienced guide from either lodge, or join Archer’s Fishing Charters for a day of saltwater or freshwater fishing.

Tofino, Ucluelet and Bamfied on Vancouver Island’s rugged West Coast all make great bases for magnificent salmon and halibut fishing. At the Canadian Princess Resort in Ucluelet, choose from a comfortable shoreside room or a cozy cabin on a retired survey ship moored in the harbour. Or check out Tyee Resort and Fishing Lodge, set on an ocean-view bluff near the quaint boardwalk fishing village of Bamfield.

Imagine landing a 454-kg/1,000-lb giant white sturgeon. At Agassiz, about an hour east of Vancouver, guides at Fraser River Lodge can take you out in search of this massive prehistoric creature. The area also boasts excellent salmon, steelhead and trout fishing on seldom-fished backcountry rivers. After an epic sturgeon battle, settle into the lodge’s rustic, log-cabin-style dining room for a meal of organic, locally-raised fare.

Peace-of-mind is your first catch along the Fishing Highway (Highway 24) in BC's Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. Peppered with more than 125 trout-filled lakes, this angler’s dream follows the historic Bridge Trail, once used by the Shuswap people as a trade route. In the evening, listen to loons on the lake, make a fire and enjoy fresh, pan-fried trout. Campsites are just one overnight option; lakeside resorts and guest ranches in the area include the luxurious, eco-friendly Siwash Lake Ranch near 70 Mile House.

Hunker down for a week at The Dean on Nimpo lodge to enjoy unforgettable wild rainbow-trout-fishing. The lodge is tucked away on the remote Chilcotin Plateau in central British Columbia. After a day of fishing, re-hash the day in Pilot’s Bar & Grill, which captures the area’s rich aviation tradition. Take a flightseeing tour over the Coast Mountains for unsurpassed scenery.

Go fly-fishing for cutthroat trout on the Elk, St. Mary, Columbia or Slocan rivers in southeastern BC; they all boast incredible catches and stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. Kootenay Fly Shop & Guiding Company in Fernie offers single- or multi-day float trips on the famous Elk River, “walk and wade” day trips, and heli-fishing excursions to pristine alpine lakes.