Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sam6140 on September 27, 2011, 02:46:53 AM
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Hey everyone,
I'm still awake...argh!! I have never caught or seen a live whitefish before. I have eaten them, and they're not bad at all (bony though). Where can I find them around the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley? When is the best time of the year to find them? What is the best way to catch them? I know absolutely nothing about catching them, and I know they're not in any lake or river around here.
FYI, I fish from shore only. Any help and tips would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!
Sam
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I've seen people catch quite them literally by the bucket load in the Lower Fraser in Richmond or Vancouver this year. As far as I know, they are always around.
Either with a float or bar rig, use a small hook tipped with a little bit of earthworm in low current areas and you should have no trouble getting them. Their mouths are not big, so small hooks are necessary. Its been a long while, but I recall they are actually pretty good eating if you don't mind the bones.
edited for spelling
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I have noticed people use the generic term "Whitefish" for Peamouth chubs or Pikeminnows though they are two distinct species and they are very prevalent in the Tidal Fraser during the summer months (July/August). Later in the year the larger pike minnows move in and they can occasionally be caught accidentally while fishing for pinks (I got a large one that way just last week).
Rodney put out a nice article on how to catch these. (Dough with curry powder works pretty well in the summer months. )
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/2002/0702_01.html
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If you're talking about whitefish the salmonid then head to the stave with a fly rod, can be lots of fun.
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I have seen them caught as bycatch during last steelhead season at the upper Vedder.
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I've seen people catch quite them literally by the bucket load in the Lower Fraser in Richmond or Vancouver this year. As far as I know, they are always around.
Either with a float or bar rig, use a small hook tipped with a little bit of earthworm in low current areas and you should have no trouble getting them. Their mouths are not big, so small hooks are necessary. Its been a long while, but I recall they are actually pretty good eating if you don't mind the bones.
edited for spelling
Those would most likely be peamouth chub, not whitefish. They are often confused and both have relatively small mouths.
The stave has good numbers of whitefish, I have also seen a few caught as bycatch on the mid and upper vedder in the past few years as well.
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They are everywhere around Fraser River, like Richmond area. You can use any kind of dough with Vanilla, peanut butter or egg, I got a 2 1/2 lb northern pikeminnow when I playing with the whitefish last week, it's fun.
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--I catch them on the Thompson so expect similar rig would work in Frazer.
--Single artificial egg or bead above single barbless hook.. I use red matzuo sickle hook. Bottom bounce with pencil lead and short leader or drift float area where you can get artificial near bottom
--Or single egg pattern fly although they will take small surface fly as well.
--We fish for them near spawning salmon areas as they are feeding on drifting eggs thus many of these areas have a bait ban so must use artificial like the fly egg pattern.
--Similkameen and other areas have some parts of the year where bait is allowed.. obviously need to check regs... where bait allowed many use maggots or other small baits.. often fished november or later..I've found artificial work as well if they are biting.
--As well as being tasty fish this is good practice for accurate casting and drifting technique due to their small mouth and the way they feed you actually have to catch them.
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quite small hot pink/bright red dynamite fly tipped with a maggot bounced about a foot or 2 off bottom (we would use a 4" nail as a weight, not as easy to get snagged up with it, cheap and no big deal to lose, lol)......never caught or fished for em at all here in BC but that method worked wonders when I used to live back in alberta.....was nothing to have 50+ fish days using that method.
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(http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/824/20110919964.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/20110919964.jpg/)
once caught it by spoon ..which was weird, around richmond fraser
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(http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/824/20110919964.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/20110919964.jpg/)
once caught it by spoon ..which was weird, around richmond fraser
Not sure what that is but it sure as heck is not a whitefish!! lol....WAY to big of a mouth for starters!!....at least i've never seen a whitefish like that, please correct me if im wrong though, lol
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Mountain whitefish (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/mountain_whitefish.html)
Peamouth chub (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/peamouth_chub.html)
Northern pikeminnow (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/northern_pikeminnow.html)
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it's northern pikemonnow i think lol it's big i know ;D
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There are NO whitefish in Lower Fraser. Please get your fish ID in order! It irks me more than it probably should when people don't call things by their right names. :P ::)
Rodney has posted some nice photos - look at them and memorize ;)
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There are NO whitefish in Lower Fraser. Please get your fish ID in order! It irks me more than it probably should when people don't call things by their right names. :P ::)
Rodney has posted some nice photos - look at them and memorize ;)
@ Nina.....mountain whitefish are prevalent throughout the entire fraser system whereas the lake whitefish are only found in the middle and upper reaches :)
http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/aquatic/freshfish/fresht-16.htm
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@ Nina.....mountain whitefish are prevalent throughout the entire fraser system whereas the lake whitefish are only found in the middle and upper reaches :)
http://www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/aquatic/freshfish/fresht-16.htm
The Lower (tidal portion more specifically) Fraser River does not have a established mountain whitefish population because of the salinity. This species is bounded by the freshwater ecosystem. You'll find them in Stave River, some of the smaller tributaries of the Lower Fraser River, but you will not find them consistently in the Fraser itself anywhere downstream from Mission, where people are mistakenly calling peamouth chub as whitefish.
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pike minnow taste good...but TONS of tiny bones...
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The Lower (tidal portion more specifically) Fraser River does not have a established mountain whitefish population because of the salinity. This species is bounded by the freshwater ecosystem. You'll find them in Stave River, some of the smaller tributaries of the Lower Fraser River, but you will not find them consistently in the Fraser itself anywhere downstream from Mission, where people are mistakenly calling peamouth chub as whitefish.
:-[ ...oops, my mistake then, lol....makes sense about the tidal portion/salinity though....but..you say you will not find them consistently, lol....doesn't mean that there is "NO" whitefish period in the lower fraser as was stated earlier...just not as likely really I guess ;D ;)
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pike minnow taste good...but TONS of tiny bones...
MMmmmmMMmm I love barbequed mistaken whitefish pikeminnow.
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Thanks people. Ok, this post has gotten a little out of hand. I would think most of you would know the difference between a Whitefish (Mountain Whitefish/salmonoid) and a Northern Pikeminnow or Peamouth Chub. Pikeminnows are found almost everywhere, especially the Fraser. I asked about Whitefish, and I mean Whitefish. I know my fish species.
So, the Stave has them. Is this the River or the Lake part being best for targeting them? What time of the year is best?
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i catch quite a few white fish in the chilliwack river above tamihai on really anything, wool, blades, jigs, roe.
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The Stave is good for whitefish (salmonid) all year. Start casting near the damn and work your way down river. Be mindful of spawning channels and stay clear. It can be hit or miss with them, some days produce a couple while others can produce in the double digits, focus on matching the hatch (pardon the cliche). Don't be surprised if you get into a few cutties and if you're lucky some winter steel, depending on when you go of course. Fly fishing works well, simply use leech patterns as your locator fly, to be honest any of the usual suspects will produce fish, single egg patterns work well in late fall and early winter and go to fry pattern late winter and early spring. If you're using gear then cast small spinners or spoons. Keep in mind that none of this is set in stone, the key is to experiment and have fun!
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Ok, so I have never specifically targetted them but have caught a few as a by-catch. The Stave and Vedder are the only places which I have encountered them in the lower mainland. For the Vedder, it is not worth the time and effort targetting them. I have only caught one and only witnessed a few others caught. These fish also tend to be on the smaller side in my experience. That leaves the Stave. When fly fishing for Cutty's I have encountered quite a few, with the biggest around 16 inches and most around 10-12. Small minnow patterns fished near bottom in the spring and summer seem to be the best times. Once the salmon enter the whitefish become scarce so if you want to target them I would do it now. These fish normally sit near bottom so flies and bait must be fished deep, aside from a few hatches which cause a surface feeding frenzy. Start at the dam and work your way down for the Stave. Good luck :)
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thanks so much, guys!! The Stave isn't TOO far from my house. 30 minutes or so. I will give it a go tomorrow, if weather permits. I've never been there before. Is there parking? Where should I park and start fishing (by the dam)? Is this one of those kinds of targets, where I need to go at the crack of dawn, or anytime during the day?
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There is a parking lot at Ruskin Dam, from there you'll be able to figure things out. I don't pay attention to specific day timing for this type of fishery, it's a go when I can or driving by type of thing for me, certainly the hot action timing will vary, give it a go and let us know!
http://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/ruskin_dam.html
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Thanks RG. I'll give it a go. How about going up Hayward St? I can see a parking lot, and some nice pools over there (east side of the river) from looking at google map.
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Whitefish have a adipose fin whereas Northern Pike Minnow and Pea Mouth Cub do not.
It is really disappointing how many people do not know how to id fish. Whether whitefish or salmon or unable to tell a carp from a bass...I really think there needs to be a CORE type course before one can get a fishing license.
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Burbot: Well said, man. And it's not like there are a huge variety of fish species in BC's freshwater system either.
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Forgot to ask: Where is the "Toilet Bowl" section of the Stave River, and how do I get there? I read a lot of good things about it online
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It is right at the foot of the parking lot in the park, below the dam. It's hard to miss as it is just a deep pool just off the main flow
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These guys did a good job showing the river, and the fishing holes. For people like me out there who have never been to the Stave River, this video provides a good take on the geography, surroundings, and locations to fish as well. I'm really psyched to try this place out tomorrow. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVLpGS4dszE
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Thanks Steelie! Looks like this post just made me a "Senior Member." ;D
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Hahaha, I know those guys. That was a school project, the one guy loves the stave! Still kills me when he says cutthroats are habitat specialists.
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Couldn't get to the Stave today, but will go tomorrow instead. I was wondering if anyone knows about any current road closures and construction in the area? I heard that the dam was closed before, but not sure when and if it still is.
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went to stave today beautiful day hooked a coho, lots of pinks,
no road closure, but the bc hydro recreation site is closed at 6:15pm or 6:30pm gate will be closed after that
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Thanks for the tip, frozensalmon! Appreciate it!
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I used to fish them on the Athabasca River when I lived in Alberta. We bottom bounced them using a 6 inch piece of wire hanger bent in half with 3 small hooks spaced about 8 inches apart. Was common to get three fish at a time during the run in the fall. These were then smoked and kept for the winter months. They are really good in the smoker as I recall they are a bit oily. The bait of choice was a single maggot on each hook.