Waterbody · British Columbia
Shuswap Lake Fishing Regulations 2026
Shuswap Lake fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout. 907 current rules across 23 species from FFSBC / DFO Pacific.
Rules (907)
FFSBC / DFO Pacific regulates 907 rules across 23 species at this water.
Trout
“Geese” Lake (2 Km Northeast Of Eliguk Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
“Grassy” Lake (Unnamed Lake Approx. 1 Km Southwest Of West King Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
“High” Lake (Unnamed Lake Approx. 4 Km North Of Bridge Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
“Kestrel” Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
“Little Bishop” Lake (Approx. 1.7 Km Northeast Of Bishop Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
“Little Jones” LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
“Pete’s Pond” Unnamed Lake At The Head Of San Juan RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
“Sandy” LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
“Snag” LakeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
no powered boats single barbless hook
All Streams (Excluding Haida Gwaii)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
release of all wild origin trout in streams
Banks Island (Tidal Areas 5, 105)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Bella Bella, Denny Island (Tidal Areas 7, 107)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Bella Coola R. Mainstem Only
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 25 cm
of which only one may be a trout (cutthroat or rainbow) and none may be under 25 cm, no cutthroat may be over 33 cm, and no rainbow may be over 50 cm), Apr 1-May 31 ONLY none may be under 25 cm, Apr 1-May 31 ONLY
Blue Lake (Near Alexandria)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
none under 50 cm
Boar Lake (Dog Creek Drainage)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
none under 50 cm
Bonaparte River
- Min size
- 25 cm
no trout under 25 cm downstream of Bonaparte Lake
Cape Caution, Bramham Point (Subarea 111)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Cape Caution, Bramham Point (Tidal Area 11)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Cape Scott, Quatsino (Tidal Areas 27, 127)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Cheslatta River (Downstream Of Falls)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Crazy Bear (Ginny) Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Deadman River
- Min size
- 25 cm
no trout under 25 cm downstream of Mowich Lake
Dewar LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Donnely LakeClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- Barbless
no powered boats single barbless hook
Dorsey Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
East King LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
engine power restriction - 7.5 kW (10 hp) single barbless hook
Elk LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- Barbless
electric motor only - max 7.5 kW single barbless hook
Faulkner Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Fawn LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Electric motor only - max 7.5 kW
Fish Lake (Unnamed Lake Approx. 2 Km Northwest Of McClinchy Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Fitz Hugh Sound, Bella Coola (Tidal Areas 8, 108)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Flathead River’s Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
none under 30 cm, June 15-Aug 31
Forest LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- No Live Bait
engine power restriction - 7.5 kW (10 hp) bait ban
Fraser RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
No Fishing for trout in Fraser River mainstem: upstream of the confluence with the Thompson River Oct 1-Oct 31
Fraser River MainstemClosed
- Status
- Closed
upstream of the confluence with the Thompson River Oct 1-Oct 31
Fraser River Mainstem Downstream Of The Confluence With The Chilcoltin RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Oct 1
- Season closes
- Oct 31
Oct 1-Oct 31
Fraser River Mainstem: Downstream Of Hell’s GateClosed
- Status
- Closed
Sept 1-Nov 15
Fraser River Mainstem: From Hell’s Gate To The Confluence With The Thompson RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
Oct 1-Nov 30
Fraser River Mainstem: Upstream Of The Confluence With The Thompson RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
Oct 1-Oct 31
Graham Island (Tidal Areas 1, 101)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Combined Total * Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Greenlee LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Gear
- Barbless
electric motor only - max 7.5 kW single barbless hook
Guichon Creek
- Min size
- 25 cm
No trout under 25 cm downstream of Mamit Lake
Herbert Point (Subarea 110)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Herbert Point (Tidal Area 10)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Kitimat, Kemano Bay (Tidal Areas 6, 106)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Kyuquot Sound (Subarea 126)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Kyuquot Sound (Tidal Area 26)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Lemon Lake (In Gibbons Creek Drainage)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Little Charlotte Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Fraser River (Tidal Area 29)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Nanaimo (Tidal Area 17)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Nicola RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 25 cm
downstream of Nicola Lake, Jan 1-Feb 28 no trout under 25 cm downstream of Nicola Lake
Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet (Tidal Areas 25, 125)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Portland Inlet, Alaska Border (Subarea 103)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Portland Inlet, Alaska Border (Tidal Area 3)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Powell River, Texada Island (Tidal Area 15)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Prince Rupert, Porcher Island (Subarea 104)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Prince Rupert, Porcher Island (Tidal Area 4)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Region 1 - Vancouver IslandCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
All wild trout from streams Region 1 default daily quota (excluding Haida Gwaii). Max 1 over 50 cm (2 hatchery steelhead over 50 cm allowed); max 2 from streams (must be hatchery). Release all wild steelhead, wild trout from streams, all char from streams. not more than 1 over 50 cm
Rivers Inlet (Tidal Areas 9, 109)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked 50cm or less - 1 - Hatchery - marked over 50cm - 2 - Wild - unmarked 50cm or less - 0 - Wild - unmarked over 50cm
Saltspring, Pender, Mayne & Saturna Islands (Tidal Area 18)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Seton River (Includes BC Hydro Power Canal Upstream Of The Dam Up To Signs Located On Seton Lake)
- Min size
- 25 cm
No trout under 25 cm downstream of Seton Lake
Shannon Lake (Netted Off Portion On The South End Of The Lake)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Teepee Lake (Adjacent To West Road River)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 30 cm
Tidal Area 121Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Tilgatgo LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Barbless
single barbless hook
Tofino, Meares, Vargas, Flores Islands (Subarea 124)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Tofino, Meares, Vargas, Flores Islands (Tidal Area 24)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Tzuquanah Point, Nitinat Lake (Tidal Areas 21, 22)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 Combined Total
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Unnamed Lake “A” - Map A (Below)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Unnamed Lake “B” - Map A (Below)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Unnamed Lake “E” - Map B (Below)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Unnamed Lake “H” - Map B (Below)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Unnamed Lake Approximately 1.6 Km Downstream Of Joan LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Victoria, Sidney (Tidal Area 19)Open
- Status
- Open
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Gear
- Angling Only
Consisting of no more than: - 2 - Hatchery - marked - 0 - Wild - unmarked
Wahleach (“Jones”) Lake
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Max size
- 40 cm
- Slot max
- 40 cm
one over 40 cm
West Road ("Blackwater") River’s Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Gear
- No Live Bait
West Road (“Blackwater”) River’s Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 1
none under 30 cm
Rainbow Trout
Shuswap LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 5 fish/year
- Min size
- 50 cm
- Max size
- 50 cm
May 15-Mar 14, in the waters lying west of a line between signs at Henstridge Road and Wharf Road to a line between signs on the south and north shores of Little Shuswap Lake annual quota = 5 none under 50 cm
South Thompson River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
none over 50 cm
Little Shuswap LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from Little Shuswap Lake.
South Thompson River Between Shuswap Lake And Little Shuswap LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from South Thompson River between Shuswap Lake and Little Shuswap Lake.
“Norman” Lake (Unnamed Lake Approximately 600 M Southeast Of Durand Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Adams River (Downstream Of Adams Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Adams River (Upstream Of Adams Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 30 cm
none under 30 cm
Aldrich LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Max size
- 50 cm
over 50 cm over 50 cm catch and release
AnsteyCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from Anstey.
Bella Coola R. Mainstem Only
- Max size
- 50 cm
no rainbow may be over 50 cm, Apr 1-May 31 ONLY
Big O.k. (“Island”) Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
none over 50 cm
Crooked RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
upstream (south) of the 200 Road Bridge, Apr 1-June 30
Davie Lake Upstream (South) Of BridgeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Apr 1-Jun 30
François LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
For the area at the outlet of François Lake described on map 1
Granby RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Downstream of Burrell Creek
Hart Lake (Crooked River Provincial Park)
- Daily bag
- 1
- Max size
- 40 cm
none over 40 cm
Kootenay LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Kootenay Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from the main body of Kootenay Lake.
Kootenay Lake - Main Body
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Possession
- 20 fish/year
Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm
Kootenay Lake - Upper West ArmCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Jan 1-May 31
Mahood River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Max size
- 35 cm
Downstream of Goodwin Falls none over 35 cm, Downstream of Goodwin Falls
Mara LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from Mara Lake.
Nechako RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 35 cm
from Cheslatta River to a boundary sign 5 km downstream no rainbow trout under 35 cm from said sign downstream to Hwy 27 bridge
North Thompson River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
none over 50 cm
Region 7B - PeaceCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
of any size from streams, May 1-June 15
Salmo RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Sheep Creek to South Salmo River Remainder of mainstem: none under 30 cm, June 15-Oct 31
Salmon ArmsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from Salmon Arms.
Salmon RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
downstream of Hwy 97 bridge at Falkland
SeymourCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 50 cm
No Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required if you release all Shuswap Lake rainbow trout over 50 cm. Conservation Surcharge Stamp required to keep rainbow trout over 50 cm from Seymour.
Seymour RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
downstream of the falls
StreamsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
of any size, May 1-June 15
Thompson River (Upstream Of Kamloops Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
none over 50 cm
Unnamed LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
approx. 500 m south of Natalkuz Lake
West Kettle River’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Whiteswan Lake’s Inlet & Outlet Streams
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
catch and release all other species when open
Wicheeda Lake
- Daily bag
- 1
- Min size
- 30 cm
none over 40 cm No rainbow trout under 30 cm
Williston Lake (In Zone A)
- Min size
- 30 cm
No rainbow trout under 30 cm
Lake Trout
Adams LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 60 cm
Oct 15-Jan 31 no lake trout under 60 cm
Atlin Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Max size
- 60 cm
EITHER none over 60 cm, OR only 1 over 60 cm and the other 2 must be 60 cm or less
Bennett Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Max size
- 90 cm
only 1 over 90 cm, none between 60 cm and 90 cm
Big Lake (Approx. 30 Km West Of Likely)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
Oct 1-Nov 30 none over 50 cm
Cheslatta LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Possession
- 3 fish
Sept 15-Oct 31 only 1 over 50 cm, Nov 1-Sept 14
Jack Of Clubs LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
consumption advisory due to higher mercury levels
Laidlaw Lake
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
EITHER none over 60 cm, OR only 1 over 60 cm and the other 2 must be 60 cm or less
Morley Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 2 fish
only 1 over 90 cm, none between 60 cm and 90 cm
Murray LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Possession
- 3 fish
Sept 15-Oct 31 only 1 over 50 cm, Nov 1-Sept 14
Pinchi LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
consumption advisory due to higher mercury levels
Region 5 - CaribooCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Oct 1-Nov 30
Region 7A - OminecaCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 daily quota
under 30 cm all year
Region 7B - PeaceCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Possession
- 1 daily quota
of any size, Sept 15-Oct 31
Sulphurous LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Max size
- 50 cm
Oct 1-Nov 30
Tacheeda Lakes (North And South)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Tagish Lake
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Max size
- 90 cm
- Slot min
- 60 cm
- Slot max
- 90 cm
only 1 over 90 cm, none between 60 cm and 90 cm only 1 over 90 cm none between 60 cm and 90 cm
Tatsatua CreekCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
EXCEPT during months of February and July (when regional quotas apply)
Tchesinkut LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
EXCEPT during months of February and July (when regional quotas apply)
Telkwa River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 60 cm
- Slot max
- 90 cm
none between 60 cm and 90 cm
Teslin Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 60 cm
- Slot max
- 90 cm
none between 60 cm and 90 cm
Williston LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Mercury levels in Lake Trout and Bull Trout (Dolly Varden) from Williston Lake and tributaries and in Lake Trout from Pinchi Lake may be high. Normal consumption is not a significant hazard to human health, but high consumption may be. Fish consumption that is less than 2 (75g or ½ cup) servings of fish per week is not a significant hazard to human health for men and women after childbearing years. However, personal and cultural practices and preferences may involve eating fish more often. Individuals can balance the benefits and risks to decide how much fish to eat. Note: Certain people need to limit high mercury fish more than others including people who may become pregnant, are pregnant, are breastfeeding, and infants and young children. For more information, please see the Mercury in Fish fact sheet on the HealthLinkBC Files website at avoidingwww.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/-mercury-fsh. For further information, please refer to page 75 and contact the B.C. Ministry of Health through your local health unit.
Williston Lake (In Zone B)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Max size
- 50 cm
- Slot max
- 50 cm
Nov 1-Sept 14 1 over 50 cm, Nov 1-Sept 14
Williston ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
consumption advisory due to higher mercury levels
Bull Trout
Adams Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 80 cm
no bull trout under 80 cm
Bridge RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
upstream of Downton Lake (reservoir)
Chehalis Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 60 cm
1 bull trout over 60 cm
Chilko Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 60 cm
only 1 bull trout and it may not be under 60 cm
Chilliwack Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 60 cm
1 bull trout over 60 cm
Dinosaur Lake (Reservoir Downstream Of W.a.c. Bennett Dam To 100 M South Of Gething Creek And Between The Anti-Vortex Dyke And Peace Canyon Dam)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Dinosaur Lake (Reservoir Downstream Of W.a.c. Bennett Dam)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Duncan Lake’s TributariesOpen
- Status
- Permitted
exempt from regional Nov 1-Mar 31 bull trout catch and release
Duncan RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
exempt from regional Nov 1-Mar 31 bull trout catch and release
Elk River (Downstream Of Elko Dam)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Elk River (Upstream Of Elko Dam)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Harrison Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 60 cm
1 bull trout over 60 cm
Jack Of Clubs LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
consumption advisory due to higher mercury levels
Kinbasket (McNaughton) Lake’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Koocanusa ReservoirCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Min size
- 75 cm
Nov 1-Mar 31 when open
Lake Revelstoke’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Liard River WatershedCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Max size
- 50 cm
Aug 15-Oct 15 from all lakes and streams, Oct 16-Aug 14 only 30-50 cm in length
Liard River Watershed (All Lakes And Streams)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Max size
- 50 cm
Aug 15-Oct 15 Oct 16-Aug 14
Lillooet Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 60 cm
1 bull trout over 60 cm
Lower Arrow Lake’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Lower Blue Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 40 cm
- Max size
- 60 cm
May 1-Aug 14
Monkman Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 40 cm
- Max size
- 60 cm
May 1-Aug 14
Nation Arm (Williston Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
west of a line between two fishing boundary signs approximately 500 m downstream of the Nation River Bridge on the Finlay Forest Service Road (when open)
Peace River WatershedCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
all year
Pend D’oreille River’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Pend D’oreille River’s Tributaries (Except Salmo River)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Pinchi LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
consumption advisory due to higher mercury levels
Region 7B - PeaceCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Oct 16
- Season closes
- Aug 14
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 daily quota
from the Peace River watershed all year may only be retained from Oct 16-Aug 14
Region 8 - OkanaganCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Region 8 default: Bull trout (Dolly Varden) from streams must be released.
Salmo RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Remainder of mainstem
Salmo River’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Regional quotas apply, EXCEPT bull trout catch and release
Upper Arrow Lake’s TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Upper Duncan River And TributariesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
White RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
on all parts, Sept 1-Oct 31
Williston Lake (In Zone B)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 30 cm
- Max size
- 50 cm
Oct 16-Aug 14
Williston ReservoirOpen
- Status
- Permitted
consumption advisory due to higher mercury levels
Kokanee
Region 3 - Thompson-Nicola
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Region 3 default daily quota. None from streams.
Columbia River
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
from Keenleyside Dam to a line between the old Robson Ferrylandingand a sign on the south river bank
Haida GwaiiClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
none from streams
Kootenay Lake - Lower West ArmCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Monday through Friday of each week. NOTE: the combined daily quota for kokanee from the Upper West Arm (when open to kokanee harvest) and the Lower West Arm (when open to kokanee harvest) cannot exceed 5 only on Saturday and Sunday of each week. Kokanee catch and release Monday through Friday of each week. The combined daily quota for kokanee from the Upper West Arm (when open to kokanee harvest) and the Lower West Arm (when open to kokanee harvest) cannot exceed 5
Kootenay Lake - Upper West ArmCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
EXCEPT Apr 1-Apr 3 and July 1-July 2 only, when daily quota = 5; The combined daily quota for kokanee from the Upper West Arm (when open to kokanee harvest) and the Lower West Arm (when open to kokanee harvest) cannot exceed 5
Machete Lake (Including That Portion Known As “Bear”Lake)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Osoyoos Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Max size
- 30 cm
none over 30cm from July 1-Oct 31
Peace River (Downstream Of Boundary Signs 1,200m Downstream Of The Site C Dam)
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
Peace River (From Hwy. 29 Bridge To The Site C Dam)
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
Region 1 - Haida Gwaii
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Haida Gwaii default daily quota. None from streams.
Region 1 - Vancouver IslandClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
none from streams Region 1 default daily quota. None from streams.
Region 2 - Lower Mainland
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Region 2 default daily quota. None from streams.
Region 4 - Kootenay
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
- Max size
- 30 cm
Region 4 default daily quota. None from streams. No more than 5 over 30 cm. no more than 5 over 30 cm
Region 5 - Cariboo
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Region 5 default daily quota. None from streams.
Region 6 - Skeena
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Region 6 default daily quota. None from streams.
Region 7A - Omineca
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Zone A (Omineca) default daily quota. None from streams.
Region 7B - Peace
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Zone B (Peace) default daily quota. None from streams, except Peace River.
Region 8 - Okanagan
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Region 8 default daily quota. None from streams.
Skaha Lake
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Max size
- 35 cm
none over 35 cm from July 10-Oct 31
Streams Of Region Zone BClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
none from streams, except Peace River
Upper Arrow Lake (Drawdown Area)Open
- Status
- Permitted
EXEMPT from the regional kokanee "none from streams" daily quota (the combined daily quota for kokanee in Lower Arrow Lake, Upper Arrow Lake and the drawdown area is the regional daily quota on page 34)
Wood LakeClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
Sept 1-Mar 31 Apr 1-Aug 31
Brook Trout
Region 8 - Okanagan
- Daily bag
- 20 fish/day
Region 8 default: additional retention from streams (above the Trout/Char daily quota).
Unnamed Lake ("Kinglet Lake") Located 100 M West Of Butterfly Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Unnamed Lake ("Redstart Lake") Located Approx. 200 M Southwest Of Butterfly Lake
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
Cutthroat Trout
Bella Coola R. Mainstem Only
- Min size
- 25 cm
- Max size
- 33 cm
none may be under 25 cm, Apr 1-May 31 ONLY no cutthroat may be over 33 cm, Apr 1-May 31 ONLY
All Species
Shuswap RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- No Live Bait
Upstream of Sugar Lake: Sept 1-Oct 31 Upstream of Sugar Lake
Shuswap LakeClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Barbless
No Ice Fishing anglers fishing from the community pier in the city of Salmon Arm are exempt from the bait ban
Region 3 - Thompson-NicolaClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Barbless
Spring closure: no fishing in any stream in Region 3 from Jan 1-Jun 30 (see tables for exceptions). Single barbless hook required in all streams of Region 3, all year.
Chinook Salmon
South Thompson River
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/month
Monthly limit of 6 over 50 cm from the South Thompson River.
Shuswap LakeClosed
- Status
- Closed
No fishing of chinook and coho salmon stocks, Sept 1-Dec 31 (anglers fishing from the community pier in the city of Salmon Arm are exempt from the closure) in Salmon Arm Bay, west of line between Engineer’s Point and Sunnybrae Point
South Thompson River From The Green Can Buoy Near Outlet Of Little River, Including Little Shuswap Lake, To The Fishing White Triangle Fishing Boundary Approximately 100 M Downstream Of Campbell Creek.Out of season
- Season opens
- Aug 16
- Season closes
- Sep 22
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
only 2 over 50 cm
Region 3 - Thompson-Nicola
- Min size
- 30 cm
All retained chinook must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to fork in tail.
Char
Shuswap LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 5 fish/year
- Min size
- 60 cm
- Max size
- 60 cm
May 15-Mar 14, in the waters lying west of a line between signs at Henstridge Road and Wharf Road to a line between signs on the south and north shores of Little Shuswap Lake annual quota = 5 none under 60 cm
Hatchery Trout
Coquitlam River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 20 cm
- Max size
- 30 cm
- Slot min
- 20 cm
- Slot max
- 30 cm
Hatchery trout daily quota = 2 (20-30 cm only), from Lougheed Highway Bridge to Mary Hill Bypass Bridge, July 1-Oct 15 20-30 cm only, from Lougheed Highway Bridge to Mary Hill Bypass Bridge, July 1-Oct 15
Sockeye Salmon
Region 3 - Thompson-Nicola
- Min size
- 30 cm
All retained sockeye must measure 30 cm or more from tip of nose to fork in tail.
South Thompson River From The Green Can Buoy Near Outlet Of Little River, Including Little Shuswap Lake, To The Fishing White Triangle Fishing Boundary Approximately 100 M Downstream Of Campbell Creek.Open
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
To be determined
Plus 11 more species. See the British Columbia pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Shuswap Lake?
FFSBC / DFO Pacific regulates fishing on Shuswap Lake.
What species can I target on Shuswap Lake?
Shuswap Lake is best known for rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize FFSBC / DFO Pacific's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.