The tidal and non-tidal portion of the Fraser River is opened for chinook salmon retention on June 16th, 2009. For more information on where you can fish and what you are allowed to keep, please carefully read this fishery notice from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Please remember that you must purchase a salmon conservation stamp for your fishing license if you decide to keep a salmon. For the adult chinook salmon that you keep, you must also record it on the back of your fishing license immediately. Conservation officers work hard to protect our salmon stocks and they will be on patrol to check your licenses and catches, so make sure you are well aware of all the regulations and obey them.

Chinook salmon is the largest species of all Pacific salmon species. Fish that return to the Fraser River are typically between 10 and 30lb, but larger fish are not rare.

For anglers who wish to participate in this fishery, please also read this poster regarding rewards provided for those who return the radio tag found in some fish. Please note that the retrieval of the radio tag only applies to the fish that you intend to keep, so while some tags are found in sockeye salmon, you are required to release the fish and leave the tag alone because there are currently no sockeye salmon retention opening expected.

Be sure to identify your catch before deciding to keep it! The Fraser River is the main channel of many small tributaries where all different salmon species need to migrate through. Some of these salmon species are protected and can not be harvested. During the chinook salmon run, sockeye salmon will also be in the river so make sure you know the difference between a chinook and sockeye salmon. Other possible species that you may encounter in the Fraser RIver later on this year include pink salmon, coho salmon, chum salmon and steelhead.

Based on test fishery result and recent catch reports from the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the Fraser River chinook salmon season is forecasted to be good this year. Fishing is best between Hope and Mission, where the river is narrower and presents more opportunities to encounter a fish.

The most common method used to target chinook salmon is barfishing, which involves anchoring a spin-n-glow with a large weight. The spin-n-glow spins in the water and triggers the fish to bite when it approaches. A heavy rod that is rated between 30 and 40lb is needed for this fishery.

For more information on barfishing, please watch the video below.

It is also a good idea to book a trip with a Fraser Valley guiding company for your first chinook salmon fishing trip. A guided trip does not only give you a better chance of catching a fish, but it also allows you to learn all the techniques for your future outings. We recommend the following guiding services:

• BC Sportfishing Group in Chilliwack
• STS Guiding Service in Mission

Good luck and we hope you catch a big one! Please conserve your catch for future generations of anglers.

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