Fishing in Canada

Freshwater licences are provincial, but tidal water in British Columbia needs a federal DFO licence plus a Salmon Conservation Stamp to keep salmon.

10 researched spots — 4 Fly Fishing, 2 Saltwater, 4 Freshwater.

Species you can target

  • Atlantic salmon
  • brook trout
  • brown trout
  • channel catfish
  • chinook salmon
  • coho salmon
  • halibut
  • lake trout
  • lingcod
  • northern pike
  • rainbow trout
  • smallmouth bass
  • steelhead
  • walleye
  • whitefish
  • yellow perch

Fishing spots in Canada

  • Bow River — Calgary, AB. Fly Fishing, Intermediate. Target species: brown trout, rainbow trout.
  • Campbell River — Vancouver Island, BC. Saltwater, Intermediate. Target species: chinook salmon, coho salmon, halibut.
  • Lake Nipissing — North Bay, ON. Freshwater, Beginner. Target species: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass.
  • Miramichi River — Miramichi, NB. Fly Fishing, Advanced. Target species: Atlantic salmon, brook trout.
  • Lake Winnipeg Greenbacks — Gimli, MB. Freshwater, Beginner. Target species: walleye, channel catfish, northern pike.
  • Haida Gwaii — Haida Gwaii, BC. Saltwater, Advanced. Target species: halibut, chinook salmon, lingcod.
  • Lake Simcoe — Barrie, ON. Freshwater, Beginner. Target species: lake trout, yellow perch, whitefish.
  • Tobin Lake — Nipawin, SK. Freshwater, Intermediate. Target species: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch.
  • Gaspé Salmon Rivers — Gaspé, QC. Fly Fishing, Advanced. Target species: Atlantic salmon, brook trout.
  • Skeena River Steelhead — Terrace, BC. Fly Fishing, Advanced. Target species: steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon.

Licence requirements and closed seasons change regularly. Always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish — each spot page links to its source.

View the fishing map