Salmon Fishing Archives - Sturgeon Fishing

Fraser Valley Catch Limits

The following list provides some helpful hints for your fishing experience on the local rivers, namely the Fraser, Harrison and Chilliwack/Vedder Rivers. We urge you all to assist in efforts to help look after this valuable resource by respecting the river, the fish and your fellow angler.

Ensure you have the required licenses;
Learn to identify your catch by reading the Regulations;
Know your limit and stay within it;
Record your catch accurately;
Pinch your barbs on all hooks (single only);
Use a maximum of 36” leaders on the Chilliwack/Vedder rivers to reduce Sockeye interception;
Release all foul hooked fish;
Respect the fish with proper handling;
Show consideration to fellow anglers;
Clean up your mess and encourage others to do the same;
Obey all laws and report violations to the Observe Report & Record line by calling:

Toll Free at: 1-855-316-6461 or Cell: 1-604-316-6461

Salmon Trout Catch Limits on the Chilliwack/Vedder River:

4 Hatchery Coho per day, any size (marked with clipped adipose fin);
4 Chinook per day, 1 only over 62 cm that must be marked on your licence (under Region 2);
4 Pinks per day (returning on odd years only 2009, 2011, 2013, etc);
1 Chum per day;
0 Sockeye; no retention all year.

NOTE: Total of all the above is 4 per day. There is a 2 day possession limit of 8.

NOTE: There is a conservation concern for Cultus Lake Sockeye and every effort must be made to avoid catching this species.

Trout Catch Limits on the Chilliwack/Vedder River:

4 Hatchery Rainbow Trout per day between July 1 to April 30 (no minimum size limit).

Steelhead Catch Limits:

1 Hatchery Steelhead per day. (Mark your licence immediately;stop fishing on the Chilliwack/Vedder river for the day).

IMPORTANT: Catch limits are subject to change and Fishery Notices override any of the above.

Helpful Guide To Fishing The Fraser River Provided By Fred Helmer http://www.fredscustomtackle.com/

At Chad’s Fishing Charters we try to help everyone in catching more fish. the tips below should give you some basic knowledge to assist you on the river. Remember that the Chilliwack/Vedder is a very busy river system and crowds are common due to the large returns of fish. Not everyone thinks the same and nether does the fish. Pick your area and pay attention to what is going on around you. The most important advice is to share this great resource with others, show respect and enjoy your day on the water.

Bait. Salmon roe is the best chance; you buy pre-made spawn sacks to save time and mess. Salmon roe eggs should be dyed or cured for best result.
Yarn. Or wool is very popular. It is easy to use and you have a wide variety of yarn to choose from. Mixing colors together is recommended. I.e. Pink and white or orange and Chartreuse. Keep the size small. When the river is colored, use larger sizes. Range from a pea size to nickel sizes. Popular colors for coho include Peaches, Pinks, orange, chartreuse. Remember to mix it up if you are not catching. All the colors work but conditions change. The color of the river, temperatures, natural light and fishing pressure. If you find a combo and size that works – try it often.
Lures- Spinners on nickel, brass or copper all work well. Try different ones in a variety of sizes. Smaller when the river is clear. Spinners can be fished on a float, bounced or slow retrieve. The key is making the spinner spin slow or flutter.
Spoons- Weighted spoons are fish straight on the line using or spin reel or level wind. Cast upstream, allow to sink and then hold, drop or slow retrieve depending on the speed of current. Keep it just off the bottom for the best results. Hanging spoons up can get expensive.
Jigs- Fly like marabou jigs are deadly for salmon and steelhead. You can fish these on a float, just cast into the current or working the dead water. They are weighted but extra weight may be needed. The float system works very well. Simply hung below the float as bait or yarn using a natural drift where the current or wave activates the jig. Simple and effective.
Flies- Fly fishing can be very productive. It takes more effort and knowledge to fish flies in the current and keep them in the zone. The best part is the rewards of this challenge. The key is getting your fly into the zone or area that the fish would consider to offering. Dead drifting egg patterns are recommended. Minnows and others should be swung dropped of slowly retrieved. The best lines are floating with appropriate sink tips depending on the depth and current speed. Lots of patterns to choose from, remember the colors mentioned above. Minnow patterns, flashy flies and egg patterns are some other options to try.