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B.C. summer of fishing
Summer officially starts this weekend, and with the cooler spring we've had this year, many lakes are still in great condition for stillwater fishing.
As of June 15, 2021, BC's Restart plan has transitioned into Stage 2, with recreational travel within the province open to British Columbia residents. This is the perfect time to pack up the car, hit the road, and visit one of our province’s 20,000 lakes for some well-deserved vacation time.
Plan a trip within B.C.
Visit FishingBC.com and ExploreBC.com for inspiration. Camping & RV in BC is a great resource for trip-planning, and has an interactive map showing BC Parks, Recreation Sites BC, Parks Canada, and private camping & RV sites. Super, Natural British Columbia has a list of over 280 fishing-experience providers, including guides, lakeside lodges, and fishing camps.
Fishing tips
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Remember your freshwater fishing licence. Print it, or save a copy to your mobile device.
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Check the freshwater fishing regulations in advance so that you are aware of any barbless hook, bait, and other requirements before you get to the lake.
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Looking for a family-friendly fishing spot? Check out our map of lakes with great shore-and-dock fishing.
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Many rivers in the province are now open to fishing (although make sure to check the waterbody-specific tables of the regulations). If this is the summer you want to start fly-fishing streams, check out Dannie Erasmus' blog post "Dry-Fly Fishing 101."
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Fishing outside the chironomid window
Why struggle (or even stop fishing entirely) when chironomids are not hatching? While chironomids make up a large part of a trout’s diet through the open-water season, an adaptable angler learns to catch fish under almost any conditions.
- Pay close attention to all the small signs; what other insects are hatching?
- Judge the way fish are behaving – whether visible on the surface, in shallow water, or on a depth sounder – to determine clues about the feeding patterns taking place.
- Try attractor patterns when no hatches at all are present.
On the blog, Jordan Oelrich of Interior Fly Fishing Co. shares his top tips for fly-fishing outside the chironomid window.
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Burbot: B.C.'s only freshwater cod
Better known by many anglers as freshwater ling, lingcod, or loche, burbot (Lota lota) are the only freshwater member of the cod family. Known for their delicious, delicate flesh and sometimes impressive size, burbot have an interesting history in the province where, in some locations, the species once supported large-scale fisheries.
Burbot are found in all major inland watersheds in B.C., including lakes, streams, and rivers. Populations are considered healthy in many watersheds, and they are not considered at-risk provincially. In the Lower and Upper Kootenay River watersheds, however, populations are at a high risk of local extirpation. On the blog, we take a closer look at the history of this interesting species, current research projects, fishing opportunities in B.C., and why burbot make for excellent fish and chips!
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Lake-stocking update
Spring stocking is coming to a close, and will resume in the fall.
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Learn to Fish programs
We are happy to announce that we have resumed in-person Learn to Fish programs, with restrictions and COVID-19 protocols in place. Families and small groups can now book programs at select locations through the calendar on our Events page.
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Youth Summer Fishing Challenge
Go fishing, record your trips, enter to win!
For kids 15 and under.
Go fishing five times – win one of 1,000 fishing-tackle packages.
OR
Catch a fish on five different fishing trips – win a Blue Fox fishing rod and reel from Luhr Jensen. The first 200 eligible entries will win this prize pack.
Visit the site to download your free fishing journal and find out how to participate!
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Lake of the Month
Isobel Lake, Kamloops
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Depth map of Isobel Lake. Click to enlarge. |
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At Isobel Lake near Kamloops, you can find rest benches, picnic tables, and fully-accessible outhouses and docks along the three-kilometre low-mobility trail that circumnavigates the lake. Stocked with 3,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout each spring
Water-Specific Regulations: Trout/ char daily quota: 2. Youth/ Disabled Accompanied Water Apr. 1 - Sept. 30 (see page 4 of the regulations).
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B.C.'s Family Fishing Weekend
B.C.'s 22nd Annual Family Fishing Weekend is an annual celebration of fishing that coincides with the Father’s Day weekend each year. In 2021, this falls on June 18th to 20th. During the three-day event, residents of Canada (individuals who have lived in Canada for the preceding 12 months) can go fishing without a licence. Find out more.
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