🎣 Fishing Spot: Fraser River – Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Canada

🏞️ About the Fraser River

The Fraser River is British Columbia's largest river system — a mighty 1,375km waterway that drains three-quarters of the province, flowing from the Rocky Mountains through the Coast Mountains to the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver. This legendary river supports one of the most productive salmon runs on the planet, with 15-50 million Pacific salmon returning annually, alongside the world's largest population of white sturgeon — prehistoric giants reaching over 14 feet and 1,000+ pounds.

The Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland sections offer incredibly diverse fishing opportunities just 30-90 minutes from downtown Vancouver. The river transitions from fast-flowing canyon waters through the pastoral farmlands of the Fraser Valley (Hope, Chilliwack, Mission) before entering the wide tidal estuary that flows through the metro area (Richmond, Delta, Steveston).

This is a river of superlatives: North America's largest freshwater fish (white sturgeon), Canada's biggest salmon producer, and one of the last great wild salmon rivers. The Fraser remains free-flowing with no dams on the main stem — allowing unimpeded salmon migrations and creating extraordinary fishing diversity across its lower reaches.

From June through November, the Fraser becomes arguably the best big-water fishing destination in North America — where anglers battle 10-foot sturgeon in the morning and catch 40-pound chinook salmon by afternoon.

🌟 Why the Fraser River Is Special

• Trophy White Sturgeon Fishing
  The Fraser holds one of the world's largest sturgeon populations, with fish regularly exceeding 10 feet (3+ meters) and 500+ pounds. These prehistoric beasts can live over 100 years and deliver acrobatic jumps and freight-train runs.

• Five Species of Pacific Salmon
  All five Pacific salmon species run the Fraser in massive numbers: chinook (kings), sockeye (reds), coho (silvers), chum (dogs), and pink (humpies) on odd years — creating continuous fishing action June through December.

• World-Class Accessibility
  Fish one of the planet's most productive rivers just 30-90 minutes from Vancouver International Airport. Shore fishing, boat launches, and professional charters make the Fraser accessible to all skill levels.

• Year-Round Fishery
  Unlike most northern rivers, the Fraser offers excellent fishing 12 months a year: sturgeon and spring chinook in early season, the massive summer salmon runs, fall coho and chum, then winter steelhead.

• Conservation Success Story
  The Fraser's catch-and-release sturgeon fishery represents 20+ years of successful conservation by the sport fishing community, with mandatory handling guidelines protecting these ancient fish for future generations.

• Tidal and Freshwater Diversity
  The CPR Bridge at Mission marks the tidal boundary — creating unique fishing opportunities from saltwater-influenced tidal sections (different regulations, aggressive biters) to classic river bar fishing upstream.

🐟 Fish Species of the Fraser River

WHITE STURGEON & RESIDENT SPECIES:

PACIFIC SALMON SPECIES:

🌤️ Seasonal Fishing Overview

🌸 Spring (March – May)

• Early sturgeon season begins as water warms — fish feed on eulachon (smelt) runs in April/May
• Spring chinook salmon ("springers") start entering river in May
• Steelhead fishing wraps up by April in tributaries
• Water levels rising with snowmelt; clarity can be challenging
• Prime sturgeon baits: Eulachon (April-May), lamprey, ditch eels

☀️ Summer (June – August)

• Peak salmon season begins — chinook enter in June, building through July
• Sockeye runs arrive late July through August (when open for retention — check annually)
• Pink salmon on odd years (2025, 2027, etc.) — 15-27 million fish create nonstop action August-September
• Sturgeon fishing heats up as salmon provide abundant food source
• Busy season — book charters 2-3 months ahead; popular bars get crowded
• Tidal sections offer cooler water and more aggressive biting
• Best time: Late July through August for variety — chinook, sockeye, pinks, and sturgeon

🍂 Fall (September – November)

• Trophy chinook season — Harrison River whites (20-50+ lbs) arrive September-October
• Coho runs peak in October — acrobatic and aggressive
• Chum salmon pour in October-November — most reliable fishery, massive numbers
• Best sturgeon fishing of the year — fish gorge on salmon carcasses and eggs
• Tides still strong in lower river; excellent fly fishing for salmon in tributaries
• Fall rains bring fresh fish and rising water levels

❄️ Winter (December – February)

• Sturgeon fishing slower but still productive (especially for experienced anglers)
• Steelhead begin arriving in tributaries (Vedder/Chilliwack particularly famous)
• Chum runs continue into December in some years
• Quiet season with less pressure; hardy anglers rewarded
• Focus shifts to winter steelhead and bull trout

🪶 Fishing Techniques on the Fraser River

STURGEON FISHING:

Best Sturgeon Baits: Salmon bellies/roe (Jul–Nov), eulachon (Apr–May), lamprey, ditch eels, dew worms, cutbait

SALMON FISHING:

⚖️ Regulations & Permits

Fraser River fishing requires careful attention to regulations — the river has different rules for tidal vs. non-tidal sections, and salmon openings change annually based on run sizes.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

Purchase locations: Online (most convenient), tackle shops, Service BC locations

CRITICAL REGULATIONS:

⚠️ WHITE STURGEON — CATCH & RELEASE MANDATORY:

• NO RETENTION — all white sturgeon must be released
• Keep fish in water during handling
• Use circle hooks and heavy tackle
• Follow proper handling guidelines (see FRCSS video)
• Report tagged fish observations

⚠️ SALMON REGULATIONS (change annually — always check current):

• Tidal boundary: CPR Railway Bridge at Mission (different rules above/below)
• Salmon openings vary by species and run strength
• Daily limits typically 2-4 fish depending on species and opening
• Pink salmon: 4/day when open (odd years only)
• Sockeye: Often 2/day when open (not every year)
• Chinook, Coho, Chum: Varies — check current regulations
• Wild coho, bull trout, cutthroat = CATCH & RELEASE (no retention)
• Barbless hooks required when salmon fishing
• No bait allowed in many salmon openings

BOUNDARY & CLOSURE AREAS:

• Mission Bridge boundary: CPR Railway Bridge marks tidal/non-tidal divide
• Night closure: No fishing non-tidal Fraser 1 hr after sunset to 1 hr before sunrise
• Spawning closures: Various tributary closures May-June to protect spawning
• Check closures: Jesperson, Herrling, and Seabird side channels closed May 15-July 31

GUIDED CHARTERS:

Popular Guide Services: Sturgeon Slayers, Fraser River Lodge, Great River Fishing Adventures, Mainlanders Sport Fishing, River Therapy Fishing, Johnny's Sport Fishing

What's Included: Typically all tackle, bait, boat, guide expertise, and often fishing licenses. Gratuity (15-20%) not included.

🗺️ Prime Fishing Locations

LOWER FRASER (Tidal Section — Richmond to Mission):

• Richmond/Steveston: Tidal shore access; pinks, coho, chum, sturgeon
• Mission Bridge area: Most popular; Big Fish Bar, Pegleg Bar
• Boundary Bay/Tidal mouth: Saltwater influence; aggressive biters

MID-FRASER (Non-Tidal — Mission to Hope):

• Harrison River confluence: Trophy chinook staging; sturgeon hotspot
• Chilliwack: Island 22, various gravel bars; excellent access
• Agassiz/Rosedale: Ferry Island Bar, gill Road bar
• Hope: Pipeline Bar, Coquihalla confluence

CANYON SECTION (Hope to Boston Bar):

• Remote wilderness fishing: Multi-day trips; largest sturgeon
• Featured on National Geographic's "Fish Warrior"
• June-August only (water levels)

MAJOR TRIBUTARIES:

• Chilliwack/Vedder River: Famous for salmon and winter steelhead
• Harrison River: Trophy chinook; coho and chum in fall
• Chehalis River: Hatchery programs; good salmon viewing

🧭 Summary

The Fraser River stands as one of the world's great fishing destinations — where prehistoric white sturgeon over 10 feet long share waters with tens of millions of Pacific salmon in one of nature's most spectacular annual migrations. This is big water, big fish, big adventure fishing accessible from a major metropolitan area.

From June through October, the Fraser delivers nonstop action: anchored boats straining against freight-train sturgeon runs, gravel bars lined with anglers hooking chinook salmon every cast, and fly fishers swinging for coho in gin-clear tributaries. The diversity is staggering — catch 500-pound sturgeon in the morning, 40-pound chinook at midday, and acrobatic coho in the evening.

Yet beyond the fishing, the Fraser represents conservation success. The catch-and-release sturgeon fishery, born from grassroots conservation efforts, has allowed these ancient fish to thrive despite urban development. The wild salmon runs — though challenged — still return in the millions, testament to the river's resilience and the ongoing work to protect this irreplaceable resource.

Whether you choose a guided charter from Vancouver, shore fishing at a Fraser Valley gravel bar, or a wilderness expedition into the canyon reaches, the Fraser River delivers an unforgettable Canadian fishing experience where your next cast might hook a fish older than your grandfather or a salmon that's traveled 2,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Book your guides early (especially July-September), study the regulations carefully, practice proper fish handling, and prepare for the fishing adventure of a lifetime on BC's mighty Fraser.

📍 Quick Reference

Location: Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Canada
Main Towns: Vancouver, Richmond, Mission, Chilliwack, Hope
Airport: Vancouver International (YVR) — 30-90 min to fishing areas
Fishing Season: Year-round (peak Jun–Nov for salmon/sturgeon)
Main Species: White Sturgeon, Chinook/Sockeye/Coho/Chum/Pink Salmon
Best Methods: Anchor fishing (sturgeon), Bar fishing (salmon), Casting, Fly fishing
Regulations: Sturgeon catch-&-release mandatory; salmon rules change annually
Special Features: World's largest freshwater fish, 15-50M salmon annually, Accessible from Vancouver, Tidal/non-tidal diversity, Conservation success story