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in the Prince Rupert Area |
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British Columbia’s
North Coast is a fisherman’s paradise. Not only
do you have opportunities for deep sea fishing
in the productive waters of the Pacific Ocean,
fly fishermen can set their lines for steelhead
and salmon on the many productive rivers and
streams in this area. Rod and reel fishermen can
head towards the lakes in this area
to hunt for freshwater trout. This month, NIHO
takes a look at fishing conditions in the Prince
Rupert to Kitimat area.
(NIHO’s Note: Regulations regarding fishing in
British Columbia are subject to change. Most
guides we spoke to note that there are
restrictions on when you can fish on several of
the rivers in this area. Check with a local guide or the
Ministry of the Environment for current
conditions. All fishermen in British
Columbia must obtain a fishing license before
fishing. These licenses are available in most
sporting stores.) |
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Saltwater:
Prince Rupert is internationally renowned for
its salt water fishing opportunities, supporting
stocks of many large gaming fish species. Keith
from
Fisher King Charters suggests that the
best time to come for the large spring salmon is
from May to late June. He told us that coho and
pinks can be caught from late June through
September. Halibut can be found at any time of
the year. When we asked him where the best
spots to catch these fish were, he replied,
“Follow the fish.” From May to the end of June,
he takes his clients north of
Prince Rupert for the best fishing. From July to
the end of the season, he suggests heading south
and west, as fishhead for the spawning
grounds.
Another spot for saltwater fishing is the
productive Douglas Channel. Rick from
Anna
Christine Saltwater Fishing Adventures
told us that the spring salmon in this area are
very active from May through July. Try
Money Point, close to
Goble Point, Bishop, and Cleo Points, or even at the
mouth of the Kitimat River. Rick noted that the
best time of year for coho is the middle of July through to the middle of
September. He suggested fishing around Fish Trap
Bay near Ursula Channel by Gribell Island.
Rick told us that the pink salmon run was
“tremendous” last year, and suggests fishing
towards the outside of the channel during July and
August. Halibut is good for stationary
jigs, as he noted that trolling for halibut was
not very successful.
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Freshwater- Rivers
The Skeena River is noted for its gigantic
steelhead. Tracy from
Steelhead Heaven says that the best
time to come up for these feisty fish is in
the fall, from August through to October.
While you may catch some cutthroat or dolly
varden while searching for the steelhead,
Tracy says that any of these fish will give
you a "tight line".
The Skeena River is also recognized as
one of the most important salmon
producing rivers in the world. All five species of
salmon can be found here, and he suggests
the best time to come to this area is in
July. Randy from
Northcoast Anglers' favorite weeks
on the Skeena are the last week of July and
the first week of August. He told us that is
plentiful numbers of a variety
of fish during this time. You never know
what you're going to catch.
There are several smaller rivers in the
Terrace area, and many of them are just as
productive as the larger rivers.
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Steelhead Fishing |
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Randy suggests the Lakelse River is great in
the spring for trout and steelhead. The Kalum
River is also good for steelhead in the spring,
especially since there are less trout in these
waters than some of the other rivers. From
September to December, Randy suggests heading to
the Copper River for the fall/winter steelhead
run. He notes that, weather permitting, the best
time for steelhead on the Copper is in November,
as the fish get bigger and better throughout the
year.
Brenda from
Doorselfin Adventures loves the Kitimat
River. In fact, she predicts a bumper crop of
chinook and coho salmon this year. She notes that
the short river system means that the fish are
coming straight from the saltwater, so the
resulting fight for the fisherman is incredible.
When we asked her for the best spots on the
river, she told us, “no matter where you stand on
the river, the fish have to get past you to get
where they need to go.” Chinook season is mid
May to mid July, with the 40-60 pounders
arriving in mid-June. Pink salmon and chum show
up in July and August, with coho swimming
upstream in June. The Kitimat River is famous
for its steelhead, with a great spring run from
March to mid-May. However, Brenda warns that the
fall run in this river is “skeletal”. She strongly notes
that Kitimat River is a non-bait river from May
15-Aug 31. You must use barbless salmon jigs
when fishing here. Local conservation officers
are very strict in enforcing this.
Freshwater- Lakes |
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Chinook Salmon on the Kitimat
River |
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There are several lakes in the Prince Rupert
area
Lakelse Lake
near Terrace is one of the most popular lakes
for water sports of all types in this area. Randy
suggests trying at the mouth of the Lakesle
River for the most fish.
Onion
Lake
near Kitimat has great fishing, especially ice
fishing, according to Brenda. She noted that
dolly varden, rainbow, and especially cutthroat
trout are plentiful here.
Prudhomme Lake
10 miles east of Prince Rupert
support steelhead, rainbow trout and Dolly
Varden. In August and September, salmon spawning
occurs in Diana Creek. |
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It's been noted that most of B.C.'s summer
fish all originate in this area of BC. So come to
the home of the feisty fighting fish, and catch
yourself a trophy. Come fish the Prince Rupert
area! |
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Special thanks to
the following for their assistance with this
article:
Doorselfin Adventures,
Kitimat, 1-866-632-2646
Fisher King Charters, Prince Rupert
,1-250-624-8541
Anna
Christine Saltwater Adventures, Kitimat,
1-250-632-5167
Steelhead Heaven, Kitimat, 1-250-632-9880
Northcoast Anglers,
Terrace,
1-250-635-6496 |
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