Saltwater Fishing in BC
For saltwater anglers, dropping a line into the Pacific Ocean can result in a thrilling battle with any of six species of salmon, gigantic halibut, rockfish, lingcod, or any of the many other finfish and shellfish that inhabit the Pacific.
There is such a variety of species; you can experience superb saltwater fishing year-round in BC. Saltwater fishing charters and resorts are available in many communities along the mainland coast and on the islands.
For Saltwater Fishing information across British Columbia, please contact:
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia 800-4440 Stark Street, Richmond, BC V7B 1A1
Tel: 604-270-3439
Fax: 604-270-3422
Email: sfiofbc@intergate.ca
Web: www.sportfishing.bc.ca
Major Saltwater Species in BC
Salmon Chinook/King Salmon - The largest of the salmon, chinook are highly prized by trophy fishers. Average size: between 1.5 and 30 kilograms (3 to 65 pounds)
Coho/Silver Salmon - Coho are bright silver in colour and notorious for a wild, fast, and erratic fight. Average size: between 0.9 and 14 kilograms (2 to 30 pounds)
Sockeye - Sockeye are strong determined fighters on light tackle and are excellent for eating. Average size: between 2.2 to 3 kilograms (5 to 7 pounds), ocasionally reaching 6.3 kilograms (14 pounds)
Pink Salmon - Pinks are the smallest of the salmon, but have a reputation for being spirited fighters, making them popular with fly fishers. Average size: between 1.5 to 3 kilograms (3 to 7 pounds), occasionally reaching 5 kilograms (11 pounds).
Chum - Chum are similar in appearance to sockeye but longer and are noted for long, nearly unstoppable runs and bulldogging tactics. Average size: between 5.5 and 11 kilograms (12 to 24 pounds)
Halibut - Halibut are huge game fish in British Columbia, both in size and popularity. Halibut can reach unbelievable weights of up to 400 pounds, although the average size is between 9 to 18 kilograms (20 to 40 pounds).
Rockfish - Rockfish species in B.C. include: quillback, yelloweye (red snapper), tiger, and copper. Average size: 30 centimeters (12 inches) to 50 centimeters (20 inches) depending on species
Lingcod - A bottom dwelling fish that may grow to 18 kilograms (40 pounds).
Shellfish - Shellfish include Prawns, Crabs, Scallops, Oysters, Clams, are easily harvested from the beaches in BC. Prawns and crabs require traps, but even this process is relatively simple.
Others Many less common species are found in BC's tidal waters including: dogfish, eulachon, flatfish (flounder and sole), greenling, herring, mackerel, perch (and seaperch and surfperch), sardines, smelt, and sturgeon, even trout and char (including steelhead, dolly varden, cutthroat trout, brown trout, and bull trout).
For Saltwater Fishing information across British Columbia, please contact:
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia
800-4440 Stark Street, Richmond, BC V7B 1A1
Tel: 604-270-3439 Fax: 604-270-3422
Email: sfiofbc@intergate.ca
Web: www.sportfishing.bc.ca
