Fishing
The fish are biting, so cast you your line in one of our lakes, rivers or streams. You’ll find year-round trout fishing in Pitt Lake, excellent sturgeon and salmon fishing in the Fraser River and a good run of cut-throat and Dolly Varden in Alouette Lake. With so many options, you’re sure to catch something, or at least have fun trying!
Remember…anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have a license. Life jackets are mandatory and boating regulations may be in effect. Plan ahead.
Fishing licences can be obtained online at www.fishing.gov.bc.ca, at our local Service BC Office or at Hatch Match’r Fly and Tackle.
Hatch Match’r Fly and Tackle
For detailed information about fishing in our communities and throughout British Columbia, be sure to visit BC Fishing; otherwise, check out our destinations section.
Destinations
Local Lakes
Head to scenic Alouette Lake and Mike Lake in Golden Ears Provincial Park to catch Dolly Varden and cutthroat. Both of these lakes, northeast of Maple Ridge, benefit from an annual stocking program that also replenishes the population of rainbow trout. The steep drop off in Alouette Lake can make finding a good fishing spot difficult. Check out the lake’s many bays, streams and shoreline for best results.
Pitt Lake is renowned for excellent Cutthroat trout fishing. Several species of salmon pass through the lake in the fall enroute to the Pitt River.
Another fishing hotspot is Rolley Lake Provincial Park, stocked with plenty of rainbow and cutthroat trout. Trolling or casting from shore are both viable options here.
Local Rivers
Both the Fraser and Pitt River are great bets for reeling in big salmon in this world-class fishing region. There are five major types of salmon that can be caught here at different times of the year: Chinook (a.k.a. King Salmon), Chum, Pink, Sockeye, and Coho. The best salmon fishing is typically between June and November.
Looking for a sturgeon excursion? This year-round attraction on the Fraser River, is best in spring and fall. Did you know… the oldest recorded sturgeon lived to be nearly 160 years old. Believe it. These prehistoric fish covered in bony plates can weigh anywhere from 27kg/60lbs to 136kg/300lbs and range in length between 120cm/4ft and 180cm/6ft. Check out our Fishing Guides section for an experience of a lifetime.
Fishing Guides
Allow these experienced guides to take you on a truly awe-inspiring fishing adventure. Forget about everything except your fishing rod — great for families or adult groups looking for some fun on the water.
Hatcheries
Wondering what’s being done to keep local fish stocks high? Visit the Bell-Irving Hatchery in Kanaka Creek Regional Park, where thousands of salmon struggle to conquer the fish fence in the autumn spawning season. Another visit-worthy hatchery is the Allco Hatchery which has released close to 30 million salmon into the Alouette watershed.
Allco Hatchery
