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Lower Mainland BC Fishing Report |
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By Rodney Hsu, Fishing with Rod Last updated: August 30th, 2010 As most of you have already heard, the Fraser River sockeye salmon is at a record high. After each Pacific Salmon Commission meeting, the run size has been upgraded. The total current run size estimate is just over 30 million fish, which is triple of what the pre-season estimate was. Sockeye salmon fishing in both salt and freshwater remains open and continues to be excellent for most anglers. With summer holiday coming to an end, be sure to take advantage of it if you have not already. This fishery typically closes after the September long weekend but there maybe exceptions when the run is this large. We will have the latest fishery update available on the website as soon as they become available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. If this type of fishing is not your cup of tea, then there are still many other fishing opportunities available across this part of the province. Fly fishing enthusiasts can head to the Skagit River and enjoy excellent dry fly fishing for rainbow trout. This is the time of the year when coho salmon start sneaking into tributaries such as the Chilliwack River so that is also worth a shot. The Tidal Fraser River condition is fantastic, so either lure or fly fishing for cutthroat trout and northern pikeminnow can be good during flood tides. Last week, we published this video for those who are new to salmon fishing and still not sure how to prepare your catches.
Are you a Fishing with Rod fan on Facebook yet? Be sure to "like" our fan page so you can receive updates when new items are available on our website! Have you taken the exam and received your boater licence yet? If you own a motorized boat (also electric motor), then you need one. Conservation officers are now checking for boater licences at lakes and oceans so be sure to get yours before your next boating trip if you still do not have one.
Episode seven of 2010's video diary features some wet fly action at Alta Lake in early June. For more information on our subscription service, please go to this page. Subscribers, click here to watch this episode now!
Capilano River coho salmon fishing has been poor as expected because of the low water level. It will remain so until we get significantly amount of rainfall, which will not happen until October. That being said, small lure presentations or fly patterns can still entice fish that are already in the river during evenings. Please check the daily quota of coho salmon in the links below. A bait ban is currently in effect. Please note that all steelhead, both hatchery marked and wild, are required to be released with care when encountered. This is usually the time of the year when summer steelhead start emerging in the river. Beach fishing near the Capilano River mouth can be excellent during this time of the year, especially around dawn. It is even better if it coincides with a low tide. Coho salmon are currently gathering and feeding in this area. Make sure you have a valid tidal fishing licence if you decide to fish in this area. Don't be surprised to hook a chinook occasionally so be sure to use slightly heavier tackle. Other beach fisheries that you may wish to try out include White Rock, Crescent Beach, Cypress Creek, Furry Creek. Important Capilano River Links
The Chilliwack River has a summer chinook salmon run in July and August but the season is pretty much over now. Please note the new upper fishing boundary. Avoid retaining a coloured fish and allow it to spawn. Water level has been dropping steadily. Please also note that you may encounter sockeye salmon at times, these are required to be released. When fishing the Chilliwack River during this time of the year, you will also encounter many rainbow trout. Most of these rainbow trout are in fact juvenile steelhead that are still rearing in the river before migrating into the ocean. Please release all wild rainbow trout with care as some of these fish will return as large steelhead up to 15lb! This is the time of the year when coho salmon start sneaking into the river. Although the river is low, fish usually move upstream at night. For best result, try float fishing with freshly cured roe early in the morning. Spoons and spinners would also work too. As we approach mid to late September, coho salmon fishing will gradually improve. Some fly anglers are enjoying targeting trout with a light fly rod. Beside these juvenile steelhead in the river right now, cutthroat trout typically start showing up in the lower reaches of the canal in August. If fly fishing is not your cup of tea, then give small spoons and spinners a go. Fred's Custom Tackle is located just minutes from the Chilliwack River (just north of Vedder Crossing Bridge). For your latest equipment and Chilliwack River reports, visit it when you go fishing next time. Maps of the Chilliwack River are also available at the store. Important Chilliwack/Vedder River Links
Northern pikeminnow are abundant in this system. These so-called coarse fish can easily be caught with either bait or lures, ideal for kids. Anglers are reporting some catches of cutthroat trout as well. Please make sure wild cutthroat trout are released with care. Look for risers on the surface in the evening hours. The stretch of river near the "Toilet Bowl" on the east side is ideal. Please note the new no parking restriction on the west side of the river. Stave River's salmon fishery does not start until October. For information on salmon and trout fishing in the Stave River and tributaries on the north side of the Fraser River (Kanaka Creek, Nicomen Slough, Suicide Creek, etc), visit Hatch Match'r Fly and Tackle. Owner Randy Morgan is also an eager flyfishing instructor so don't hesitate to ask him questions. Back in late April, we covered the high school flyfishing championship that Randy organized, here is a video about it. Important Stave River Links
The river is gradually coming back in shape but tributaries such as the Cheakamus and Mamquam Rivers are in pretty good shape. Some trout fishing is available in these tributaries. Please remember that a bait ban is in effect and all fish are required to be released with care. Rainbow trout are usually small but fun on a light fly rod. You may also encounter the odd bull trout at times. Salmon fishing doesn't usually start until the end of September. Important
Squamish River Links
Water condition of the Tidal Fraser River is excellent. This type of condition is great for bait, spin and fly fishing.
Peamouth chub and northern pikeminnow are very abundant in the Tidal Fraser River. They can pretty much be caught at any given time, but best period is usually during flood tide. It may take awhile for them to find your bait, but after awhile the bites should be very constant. Most of the fish are between 6 and 10 inches long so light tackle is required. Check out the pole fishing video for these species that we just released on August 24th. Because the water is now quite clear, you can in fact lure or fly fish for northern pikeminnow and cutthroat trout. In August, you have a very good chance of connecting with both species. Northern pikeminnow caught on artificials are typically quite big, up to 4lb! Although they do not fight like a salmon, they can still be very scrappy on light tackle. I have seen quite a few cutthroat trout either feeding or jumping on the surface lately during the incoming tide. For more information, please take a look at this article. If you are fly fishing, try stripping small nymph patterns that resemble juvenile salmon, sticklebacks and crustaceans that are constantly on the move in the shallow water. Look for small rises on the surface, which usually indicate where the fish are. Shiner perch are becoming abundant near the Fraser River mouth. They typically move into the lower end of the Tidal Fraser River once freshet ends. Other saltwater species that you may encounter include starry flounder, English sole, pacific tomcod and white-spotted greenling. These species are ideal for kids to catch as they are plentiful. Best bait are dough balls, dew worms and shrimp. Please ensure that all fish are released with care if you do not intend to keep them because these species make up the food source for estuary birds and larger predatory fish species. If you do not know the differences between a peamouth chub and a northern pikeminnow, pelase watch this video. The following articles may get you started in this fishery: We hosted the 8th annual Fish for the Future in Steveston on Saturday July 10th. Please click here to read more. To fish the Tidal Fraser River (downstream from the railway bridge in Mission), you are required to have a valid saltwater fishing licence. Chinook salmon fishing and retention is now available. Please click here to read the entire opening information. In the Tidal Fraser River, you can try bottom fishing with freshly cured roe (plunking) during incoming tides. The problem with fishing with roe for salmon right now is the amount of coarse fish in the river. It can be very frustrating when other fish peck off your bait before chinook salmon have a chance to grab it. This is the time of the year when chinook jacks become very abundant so if you are fishing with roe, chances are you will find a few of these. Please note that ALL chinook salmon (including jacks) have to be recorded on your licence if you decide to keep them. Sockeye salmon fishing is now opened in the Tidal Fraser River. Please click here to read the entire opening information. Fishing has been excellent. For best result, troll on a boat just outside of the Fraser River mouth. Evan Patterson from Bites-on Charters has been limiting out for his clients on every trip. Although most of this fishery is done from a boat by trolling, you can indeed catch a sockeye salmon from shore if you are willing to put in a large amount of time. Typical methods that are used for pink salmon will work for sockeye salmon, they just don't bite as often. In the past, we have had some success with catching them on spoons. There is no reason that fly fishing would not work either, as long as there are lots of fish swimming by close to shore. The next commercial opening starts at 10:00am on Monday August 30th for 24 hours. For more information on this fishery and the latest updates on saltwater fishing around Steveston, stop by Nikka Fishing and Marine. Most knowledgable staff on the second floor's fishing department are former fishing guides or commercial fishermen so be sure to ask lots of questions. Important Tidal Fraser River Links
The non-tidal Fraser River is producing lots of sockeye salmon. Foot access to Peg Leg bar is now available. Please tread very carefully and avoid crossing any side channels. Poor water clarity can lead to misjudging of depth and the consequences can be deadly. Chinook salmon fishing and retention is now available so please click here to read the entire opening information. If you've never barfish for chinook salmon before, please click here to watch the 30 minute+ video seminar. Overall, chinook salmon fishing has been spotty lately.
Sockeye salmon fishing and retention is available. Please click here to read the entire opening information. Fishing has been excellent for most anglers except on days right after commercial openings further downstream. Please avoid catching more fish after you have retained your daily quota of sockeye salmon so unncessary fish kill can be avoided. Fishing has been slow on days after a commercial gillnet opening in the lower part of the river. The next opening is at 10:00am on August 30th for 24 hours. A drowning occurred on August 24th (please click here to read article) so please be very careful when you are out. The Fraser River is fast and silty, so once in the water it becomes a unfavourable challenge to get out. Chilliwack Dart and Tackle is only several minutes from Island 22 boat launch by car. It carries all fishing tackle needed for Fraser River and other systems in the Fraser Valley. You can find out more about these fisheries by talking to its knowledgable staff. White sturgeon fishing has been fair to good as expected. Anglers are reporting lots of salmon carcasses in the river and sturgeon are simply feeding on them until they are full. This abundance of food unfortunately slows the fishing down. For best result, use pieces of salmon flesh. Please remember this is a total catch and release fishery and you need a valid sturgeon conservation stamp on your licence. Although doable from shore, white sturgeon fishing is best done on a boat. If you have never tried it before, it is best to book a trip with a knowledgable fishing guide. We recommend the following guiding service in the Fraser Valley. BC Sportfishing Group | STS Guiding Service Important Non-Tidal Fraser River Links
The Region 2's trout stocking database is usually updated once rainbow trout are stocked by the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery. These rainbow trout are released at "catchable size", usually have an average weight of 300g. Next stockings are coming up, around mid September. Check out our video blog on trout fishing at Alta Lake in June by clicking here! Fishing has been slow at urban stocked lakes due to the hot weather. For best result, try early mornings and late evenings when temperature is lower.
It is worth trying Chilliwack Lake as well. It offers good bottom fishing for bull trout, rainbow trout, sucker and the odd kokanee. A boat is also required. Whistler lakes are producing well in the evening time with dry flies. If you have never tried fishing in British Columbia and would like to start, this is the best fishery to start with. These put and take lake trout are willing biters so they are not as difficult to catch. To learn more about freshwater fishing in British Columbia, follow these video tutorials so you are ready for your next trip! For all your introductory fishing needs, please visit Berry's Bait and Tackle in Richmond and Sea Run Fly and Tackle in Coquitlam. These articles may assist you: Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery and Visitor Centre are having ongoing Learn to Fish classes happening. If you, family members or friends would like to learn how to fish, please 604-504-4716 to book a time. For more information, please read this page. Please remember that if you are fishing from shore, you are only allowed to use ONE rod. If you are fishing alone in a boat, then you are permited to use two rods. Only one single hook is allowed on your rod. Please note that barbless hooks are required to be used at some lakes. You are allowed to keep four trout per day (please note, this does not apply to ALL lakes in the Lower Mainland. Green Timbers Lake has a limit of two fish per day. Catch and release is required in some lakes, please check regulations). If you witness violations, please contact the nearest conservation office or phone 1-877-952-RAPP (7277). Before heading out to one of the above mentioned lakes. please read the freshwater regulations in Region 2 first. If you have a question regarding this Lower Mainland fishing report or would like to offer some feedbacks, please feel free to email me. Good luck and conserve your catches! Rodney Hsu |
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