B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is an annual celebration of fishing that occurs the third weekend of June every year. This is a great chance to get together with family and friends and try fishing! Check back on this page closer to June 2025 for details about the next Family Fishing Weekend.
Right through the third weekend in June (including the immediately preceding Friday), our provincial government waives the requirement for residents of Canada – individuals who have lived in Canada for the preceding 12 months – to buy or carry a non-tidal (freshwater) basic fishing licence.
There are some exceptions. If you plan to fish :
then you are still required to purchase the appropriate licence(s) and stamp(s).
Anglers must always adhere to catch quotas and regulations. To know where you can go fishing, and which fish species you can catch, make sure you have read and understood the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which manages fishing in tidal waters, also offers the opportunity to go saltwater fishing for free. From June 13 to 15 only, if you’re fishing in Canadian Pacific tidal waters for any species other than salmon, halibut or lingcod, you don’t need a licence to fish. If you are fishing for salmon, halibut or lingcod, get a free 3 day BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence, valid from June 13 to 15 only.
During B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend, free fishing events for anglers and families are held throughout the province. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand at most events to teach tricks of the trade.
| North Vancouver |
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| Coming Soon |
| Coquitlam |
| Coming Soon |
| Abbotsford |
| Coming Soon |
| Chilliwack |
| Coming Soon |
| Maple Ridge |
| Event: Family Fishing Fun! Location: 27871 113th Avenue, Maple Ridge BC Time/ Date: June 14, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: City of Maple Ridge Details: Join us for a day of Family Fun learning some basics of fishing! Practice casting, learn about lures and baiting a hook and get a chance to get out on the dock and fish for yourself! All equipment is provided. Sign up will be through the Maple Ridge website! Contact: [email protected] |
| Ladysmith |
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| Coming Soon |
| Cowichan |
| Coming Soon |
| Malahat |
| Coming Soon |
| Shawnigan Lake |
| Coming Soon |
| Gold River |
| Coming Soon |
| Comox Lake |
| Event: Family Fishing Day 2025 Location: Courtenay & District F&GPA Property. 3780 Colake Rd. Comox Lake. Parking in lower lot of the clubhouse. Time/ Date: June 14, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, June 15, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Courtenay & District Fish & Game Protective Association Details: Courtenay & District F&G PA offers a stocked pond of rainbow trout. People can bring their own rods, bait and tackle and our association can also provide loaner rods. We also provide bait, help with netting and cleaning fish, and keep them bagged on ice. There will be a two fish limit per person. Thirty’s will provide a free hot dog lunch on the Sunday June 16th, Father’s Day. Contact: 250-334-4126 |
| Sunshine Coast |
| Event: Fish Release Festival Location: Chapman Creek Hatchery – 4381 Parkway Drive, Sechelt BC Time/ Date: May 17, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: Sunshine Coast Salmon Enhancement Society – Chapman Creek Hatchery Details: Come join us for the release of Coho salmon into Chapman Creek! Our outdoor festival for kids and the community alike will have fly tying, fly casting, demos from hatchery volunteers, and community booths. There will also be demonstrations in fishing and archery from the local Rod and Gun Club! Seating is limited so feel free to bring your camp chairs. Contact: (604) 885-4136 |
| Enderby |
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| Coming Soon |
| Salmon Arm |
| Event: 26th Annual Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Day Location: The Wharf @ Marine Park, Salmon Arm Time/ Date: June 15, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Host: Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Day Details: The is a free event open to kids 12 years of age and under. Participants must wear a life jacket or PFD and be accompanied by an adult. Registration is on June 15 at the Wharf. Contact: 250-517-8087 |
| Merritt |
| Event: Father’s Day Family Fishing Event Location: West Pond, Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park, south of Aspen Grove Time/ Date: June 15, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club Details: Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club is holding a Father’s Day Family Fishing Event at the West Pond in the Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park. The event runs from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and snacks and drinks will be provided. Volunteers will be on hand to give instruction to new anglers and equipment will be supplied for all new anglers. Contact: 250-280-0304 |
| Williams Lake |
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| Coming Soon |
| Telkwa |
| Coming Soon |
| Kitimat |
| Event: Kitimat Rod & Gun Club Fishing Day Location: Kitimat Rod & Gun Club, 386 Haisla Blvd Time/ Date: June 15, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Kitimat Rod & Gun Club Details: Event starts at 10:00 am and runs until 2:00 pm with casting contests, archery, hatchery displays, and free hotdogs & hamburgers, pop, popcorn etc.! Contact: (250) 632-1598 |
| Clearwater |
| Coming Soon |
| Vanderhoof |
| Coming Soon |
| Nelson |
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| Coming Soon |
| Invermere |
| Event: LWDR&G Club Family Fishing Day 2025 Location: Lake Lilian, Invermere Date/ Time: June 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club Details: Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club has been hosting this event for 7-8 years now on behalf of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. We are very happy to support this event and have normally 8-10 members assist. We typically have had 45-60 people or more out to the event. Contact: Ph. 250-688-2504 | Email |
| Nakusp |
| Coming Soon |
| Cranbrook |
| Event: Cranbrook Firefighters Annual Fishing Clinic Location: Idlewild Park, Cranbrook BC 3379 9th Street South, meetup @ Gazebo Date/ Time: June 15, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Cranbrook Firefighters Charitable Society Details: For over 40 years the Cranbrook Firefighters Association has been holding a Fishing Clinic at Idlewild Lake to encourage family unity and outdoor recreation in our community. Every year on Father’s Day we put on a Fishing Clinic for children/youth at Idlewild Lake. Contact: Ph. 250-426-2325 | Email |
| Revelstoke |
| Coming Soon |
| Creston |
| Coming Soon |
| Fruitvale |
| Coming Soon |
| Aspen Grove |
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| Coming Soon |
| Enderby |
| Event: Learn to Fish Location: Heritage Park Date/ Time: July 20, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Kingfisher Interpretive Centre Society Details: Join us for a Learn to Fish program and give your children a chance to catch a fish and enjoy a day outdoors learning about fishing and making life lasting memories. The event will be taking place at the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre on Sunday July 20th (located 25 km’s east of Enderby at 2550 Mabel Lake Rd). Local angling experts will be volunteering their time and knowledge to provide a firsthand fishing experience for todays’ youth. They will also be offering instruction on casting techniques, fish handling practices, fish identification, fly tying and more. This fun filled day will also include information on aquatic invasive species, salmon life-cycle, an interactive aquatic bug display, rock painting and more. Learn about what local fish eat and what flies could land the “big” one. The event is free and will run from 9:00-2:00. Lots of great prizes will be awarded throughout the day, so come early for more chances to win! If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre at (250) 838-0004. Contact: [email protected] |
| Peachland |
| Event: Father’s Day Off the Pier Fishing Location: Heritage Park Date/ Time: June 14, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Peachland Ambassador’s Details: This is a free fishing event to celebrate Father’s Day! We will be fishing right off the new pier in Peachland. There will be prizes, music, and food! Contact: Ph. (778) 479-2843 |
We are always looking for more locations and willing communities that want to get involved in B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend. If your agency, club, or group is interested in hosting a community event that is free and open to the public, please fill out the Event Submission Form. Activities at past events have included family barbeques, fly-tying clinics, free rod and tackle loan, children’s fishing clinics, and stream clean-up projects. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC offers event support, supply of fishing equipment and giveaways, and promotion and marketing. If you have any questions about BC Family Fishing day, volunteering, or how to host an event, please contact us.
Thank you to all of the community volunteers, organizations, and local businesses that make each event possible.
The BC Family Fishing Weekend organizers are grateful to the generous sponsors and supporters that help make BC Family Fishing Weekend a success. We couldn’t do it without you!
Copyright © 2003 – 2023, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. All Rights Reserved.
