Start Guide to Freshwater Fishing

With thousands of lakes and fishable streams, B.C. offers endless opportunities for you and your friends and family to have an amazing outdoor adventure. Scroll down and start planning your #gofishbc experience.

Where to Fish

This page provides tools for you to explore fishing opportunities in British Columbia. You can find information about stocked fishing lakes, recommended waters for beginners and families, fish species, facilities, and maps.

Use the interactive map below to find lakes stocked with fish near you. Apply filters to find lakes with fishing docks, camping, boat launch, and other facilities.

LAKE MAP

We’ve curated some of our top recommendations for places to go fishing. Find inspiration for your next fishing spot in the blog posts below.

Discover Six Small Fishing Lakes in B.C.’s Kootenay Region
  • Where to Fish
Discover Six Small Fishing Lakes in B.C.’s Kootenay Region
June 17, 2024
Six Must-Visit Fishing Lakes Near Vernon
  • Lake Fishing
  • Where to Fish
Six Must-Visit Fishing Lakes Near Vernon
May 10, 2024
Places to Fish Around Vancouver
  • Where to Fish
Places to Fish Around Vancouver
February 26, 2024
Eight Campgrounds with Great Fishing in B.C.
  • Where to Fish
Eight Campgrounds with Great Fishing in B.C.
January 5, 2024
Accessible & Family-Friendly Fishing Docks
  • Where to Fish
Accessible & Family-Friendly Fishing Docks
June 28, 2023
Vancouver Island: Fishing for Trout, Salmon, Bass and Steelhead
  • Where to Fish
Vancouver Island: Fishing for Trout, Salmon, Bass and Steelhead
June 22, 2022

Get Ready to Go Fishing

Now that you’ve found your next fishing spot, follow these three steps before heading to the lake.

Step 1: Buy your fishing licence

If you are 16 years or older, you are required to have a freshwater fishing licence. Anglers can purchase an annual, eight-day, or one-day licence online or in-person at select locations.

BUY YOUR LICENCE

Step 2: Check the freshwater fishing regulations

Be sure to check the Freshwater Fishing Regulations for daily catch limits and other requirements. Unsure where to start? Watch this video on how to use the regulations.

Step 3: Gather your fishing gear and head to the lake!

Check out the posts below for more information on essential fishing gear, how to set it up, and top tips to help you catch more fish.

Identify Your Fish

Learn how to identify popular species targeted by recreational anglers. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks trout, char and kokanee into B.C. lakes. 

Know Your Fish: B.C. Freshwater Fish Identification
  • Education
Know Your Fish: B.C. Freshwater Fish Identification
March 2, 2024
Invasive Freshwater Fish: What You Need to Know
  • Education
Invasive Freshwater Fish: What You Need to Know
March 1, 2024
Stocked Strains
Stocked Strains
February 2, 2024

Fishing Tips and How-To Articles

Learn what equipment you’ll need, how to set it up, and fishing techniques for freshwater fishing. 

No gear? No problem! Loan tackle and rods for free from our Rod Loan locations. Want some hands-on instruction? Check out our Learn to Fish programs.

Tips for Shore and Dock Fishing Success
  • Lake Fishing
Tips for Shore and Dock Fishing Success
May 15, 2024
Match the Hatch: A Guide for B.C. Lakes
  • Lake Fishing
Match the Hatch: A Guide for B.C. Lakes
February 26, 2024
10 Tips for Stillwater Fishing Success
  • Lake Fishing
10 Tips for Stillwater Fishing Success
June 26, 2023
Beginner’s Guide to Fishing Rods + Tackle
  • Education
  • Lake Fishing
Beginner’s Guide to Fishing Rods + Tackle
June 2, 2023
Three Basic Fishing Setups for Lake Fishing
  • Lake Fishing
Three Basic Fishing Setups for Lake Fishing
June 1, 2023
Stillwater Trout Fishing in Hot Summer Conditions: Tips for Success
  • Lake Fishing
Stillwater Trout Fishing in Hot Summer Conditions: Tips for Success
May 31, 2023

Learn More

Looking for seasonal tips from the experts to improve your day on the water? Visit the Fishing Tips page.

Need help finding a place to fish? Use the interactive map to discover new locations to cast your line.