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Last updated: May 6th, 2008
Stocked rainbow trout at many Lower Mainland lakes make good fishing opportunities in May (Photo: Rodney Hsu).
Spring continues to be on the cold side but it is gradually warming up now. Lake fishing has been fairly good locally. They are good alternatives while we wait for some of the interior lakes to melt. River steelhead fishing has come to an end for this season.
FWR Blog
I have recently started a blog section as an attempt to keep readers more updated on new additions of the website. You will also find entries of our latest fishing trips in it. Enjoy!
Subscribers' Video Clips
Our subscribers section now offers FIVE HOURS of video diaries that feature different sportfisheries in British Columbia (click here to see preview). Subscription is $20/year and $5 of your subscription goes to support Fish for the Future. Fish for the Future is an annual community fishing event in Steveston that promotes sportfishing and conservation awareness among youth/family. It is the only BC event happening during the National Fishing Week.
Capilano River
The Capilano River typically has an early run of coho salmon between April and July. Generally the coho fishing is best around June, but you might connect with a few with some searching and luck. Fish that stage at the river mouth can travel all the way to the hatchery within a couple of hours during a strong incoming tide, which means fishing result can differ significantly from one day to the next. Roe, small spinners and spoons are typically used for these coho salmon. There are winter steelhead present in the river, but they are at their spawning stage and the number is very low as expected. Both wild and hatchery steelhead are required to be carefully released. It is best to avoid catching and releasing them. With everyone's support, we will hopefully rebuild the steelhead run on the Capilano River.
Chilliwack River Winter steelhead is still available but please note the change of regulation for May. The river is now closed for fishing upstream of the Vedder Crossing. For the section below the Vedder Crossing, it is flyfishing only. Please report violators who choose not to follow these rules.
Unlike the salmon fishery, you are required to purchase a steelhead tag for your license even if you do not wish to keep a steelhead. There is a daily quota of one hatchery fish per person on the Chilliwack River and you must record your catch on the back of your license immediately once your fish is killed. You are also required to stop fishing once you have killed your fish.
Steve Olson at the hatchery with a winter steelhead that is ready to be spawned (Photo: Rodney Hsu).
If you catch a wild steelhead, please release it carefully by keeping the fish in the water at all time. Wild steelhead have their adipose fin while hatchery steelhead had their adipose fin clipped when they were juveniles.
Stave River
Some chum salmon fry are still rearing in small schools in the river, so both cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish are feeding on them from time to time. Generally the fishing has slowed down, but with some luck you just might encounter a few prized catches. To catch these fish successfully, you can either use a light spinning rod with small lures (1/8oz or smaller) or flyfish with minnow patterns. Look for surface activities and insect hatches in the afternoon to adjust your presentations. Please be aware of what you may and may not keep. All wild cutthroat trout have to be released with care. Northern pikeminnow are becoming active now that the weather has warmed up.
Squamish River and its tributaries
River remains low and clear. The target species are bull trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout until freshet. There isn't a hatchery steelhead program on the Squamish River so total catch and release of all species is in effect. Winter steelhead fishing has been reasonable. For trout and char, small minnow patterns that immitate juvenile salmon will work. Fish tend to congregate in schools at specific spots on the river so be sure to move on if you are not having success after a period of time. Overall, poor fishing has been reported this season.
Bull trout can be aggressive on spoons and egg patterns on the Squamish River (Photo: Rodney Hsu).
Eulachon are starting to make their way into the Fraser River. There is NO FISHING/NETTING for eulachon once again this year due to the alarmingly low population return. If you witness poachers netting eulachon, you are advised to phone 604-666-3500 to report the violation. With your assistance, we can slowly make the eulachon population to rebound.
One can still take advantage of the return of eulachon, because predatory species such as bull trout will be feeding heavily on them at times. Big swirls can often be seen on the surface during flood tides as bull trout hunt down eulachon in the shallows. Large spinners and spoons can often entice these fish. Please remember that all wild cutthroat trout and bull trout need to be released (a hatchery trout is missing the adipose fin with a healed scar), you are not allowed to keep them. If you observe someone keeping a wild cutthroat trout or bull trout, please phone 604-666-3500 and report the violation. With your help, we can ensure the survival of these vulnerable species. White sturgeon fishing is starting to heat up.
Non-tidal Fraser River Coastal cutthroat trout fishing is available at tributary mouths. Because cutthroat trout are extremely mobile as they are constantly searching for food, it is advantageous to move around and focus on several spots instead of one area. Tributaries on the north side of the Fraser River from Harrison River to Stave River are worth trying during the last couple of weeks in March as salmon fry begin migrating downstream. Look for surface feeding activities. You can either target these fish on light spinning or fly rods with small fry immitations. Please remember that all wild trout and char are required to be released. To understand the coastal cutthroat trout hatchery program, please watch the following video.
The main channels are now quite dirty due to freshet. The chinook salmon forecast is poor this year so the Fraser River chinook salmon fishery is not expected to open until June 16th earliest.
Reaction
Fly and Tackle, located at Whatcom Road exit on Highway
One in Abbotsford, is a good resource if you want to find out more
information on flyfishing in the Non-tidal Lower Fraser and its
tributaries.
White Sturgeon Fishing White sturgeon fishing has been fair. Ditch eel and eulachon are bait of choice for most anglers during this time of the year. 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.
Lower Mainland Trout Fishing The Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery has been regularly stocking rainbow trout at many lakes since early March. Stockings will take place regularly until late June, so expect the fishing to be good in these upcoming weeks. Check out this video of stocking done at Lafarge Lake on April 10th.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has launched the "Fishing in the City" program. In the two months, Rice, Lafarge and Como Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout up to 500 grams once every two weeks. For more information about this program, please read this news release.
This month, we have just launched a Region 2 fishing locations section on the website. In this section, a dozen lakes with good trout fishing are featured.
These trout are usually very
willing to bite so it is an excellent introductory fishery for kids
and beginners. Try either casting a small spoon or spinner, or float
fish with bait or fly. Since water temperature is getting higher, surface action should be abundant especially in the evening time. For more information, this article may be helpful. For all your introductory fishing
needs, please visit Berry's
Bait and Tackle in Richmond.
Kokanee fishing at Kawkawa Lake is slowing down. A boat is required. Weaver Lake can be good for rainbow trout, please see this story.
Lakes around Whistler have been ice-free for almost two weeks now but the water has been cold so fishing has been somewhat slow.
Squamish lakes (Alice, Edith, Stump, Fawn and Cat) have been fishing well and they are worth a day trip for the entire family.
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 barbless hook is allowed on your rod. You are allowed to keep four trout per day (please note, this does not apply to ALL lakes in the Lower Mainland. Catch and release is required in some lakes, please check regulations). There have been reports of anglers violating these regulations. If you witness violations, please contact the nearest conservation office or phone 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
