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Freshwater Fishing in British Columbia |
Freshwater Fishing in British Columbia
British Columbia’s freshwater anglers mostly fish for trout – specifically rainbow trout, but also Dolly, Varden, lake, brook, brown and cutthroat trout. One particular type of rainbow trout, the large steelhead, is well known as a fighting fish and considered by many to be the ultimate fishing challenge. Salmon are also plentiful in the province; quite a few seagoing species come up British Columbia’s rivers to spawn, and a land-locked, freshwater species – the Kokanee – dwell in BC’s lakes.
Fishing guides, tours, lodges, and packages are offered throughout British Columbia. Be ready to pay from $50.00 an hour or $150.00 to $400.00 a day for a guide, and up to a couple thousand dollars for a few days at a luxury lodge with all the meals and guided fishing included.
Fishing licenses are necessary to fish in British Columbia, and rates are based on your age and place of residence. Canadian residents pay about $35.00 for a freshwater adult license, valid for a year. Nonresidents can expect to pay about $60.00 for a one year license, or about $30.00 for a six-day license. Separate licenses are required for steelhead and Kootenay Lake rainbow trout.
An E-License can now be purchased online at http://www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/. To purchase a fishing license online you will need:
- A valid credit card number for fee payment. VISA, MasterCard and American Express are accepted;
- A connected printer, switched on and loaded with letter-sized paper, to print your licence;
- A connection to the Internet. To access the Freshwater Fishing system, you will need the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser, version 6 or higher. The browser must have JavaScript version 1.1 or higher.; and
- An angler number. You may have one if you have registered or purchased an e-licence before. If not, you will obtain one when you buy or register for an e-licence for the first time.
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