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Chinook Salmon freshwater/saltwater
Also known as king salmon or springs, and, if over 30 pounds, “Tyee,” chinook are the largest of the salmon and are highly prized
by anglers. Fall chinook spawn soon after arriving at their spawning grounds - usually large rivers throughout the province. Spring chinook migrate earlier but delay spawning until fall and then spawn in smaller tributaries. Fry spend a year or more in freshwater. Average size: 1.5 to 38 kg (3 to 80 lbs)
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Coho Salmon freshwater/saltwater
Also known as silver salmon, coho are bright silver in colour and are notorious for wild, fast, and erratic fights. Most coho spend 18 months
at sea, staying in coastal waters, and then returning to their home stream as three-year-olds. Average size: 0.9 to 14 kg (2 to 30 lbs)
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Sockeye Salmon freshwater/saltwater
Strong, determined fighters on light tackle, sockeye are silver- blue in colour and are best known for their deep, pink flesh and
excellent eating. Sockeye fry, after emerging from the gravel, migrate to freshwater lakes where they spend one to two years before heading out to sea. Average size: 2.2 to 3 kg (5 to 7 lbs) occasionally reaching 6.3 kg (14 lbs)
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Rainbow Trout freshwater
Rainbow trout are the most popular of the freshwater fish. Trout as large as 16 kilograms (35 pounds) have been pulled from
BC lakes. Kamloops rainbow trout are considered the highest jumping, most acrobatic of any trout in the world. Gerrard rainbows are the largest of the rainbow family and are found in Kootenay Lake and other lakes in south and central BC. Average size: 0.5 to 5 kg (1 to 11 lbs)
FIN FINDER barb roy photo
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Cutthroat Trout freshwater
Closely related to rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout are present in most lakes
and rivers along the coastal mainland and on offshore islands. It is not uncommon for anglers to encounter these heavily spotted trout while fishing for steelhead. Average size: 0.5 to 1 kg(1 to 2.2 lbs)
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Kokanee freshwater
Kokanee are a landlocked strain of sockeye salmon that inhabit freshwaters
throughout the mainland areas of the province. They are most abundant in the Thompson Okanagan, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, and Kootenay Rockies. The present world record of 4.2 kilograms (9.2 pounds) was taken from Okanagan Lake in 1988. Average size: 0.5 kg (1 lb)
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Rockfish saltwater
BC rockfish come in all shapes, sizes, and colours and are
primarily bottom-residing fish. Rockfish have long lives (up to 115 years for red snapper) and do not breed until they are between seven and 18 years old, depending on the species. Rockfish in BC include red snapper (yelloweye), quillback, tiger (pictured), and copper. Average size: 30 to 50 cm (12 to 19.5 in) depending on species
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Bull Trout freshwater
A member of the char family, bull trout are often found in BC’s interior and northern
waters. They are distinguished by their large, broad, flattened heads with jaws that curve downward. Average size: 1 to 6 kg (2 to 13 lbs)
10 The SPORT FISHING Guide 2012
n n Brown Trout
freshwater Brown trout have a very limited range in BC but
are known to reach weights of 6 kilograms (13 pounds) on Vancouver Island. Brown trout are also present to a limited degree in the Okanagan. Average size: 0.5 to 2 kgs (1 to 4.5 lbs)
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Lake Trout Freshwater
Despite their name, lake trout are included in the char family and have deeply forked tails and worm-like markings on their backs and dorsal
fins. Lake trout are common in most large lakes throughout central, eastern, and northern BC and have been known to reach weights of 15 kilograms (33 pounds) and more. Average size: varies
Halibut Halibut are huge game fish in BC, both in size and in
popularity. These extraordinary bottom fish have eyes and colour on only one side of their flat, diamond-shaped bodies and can reach almost unbelievable weights of up to
180 kgs (400 lbs). Many fishers choose to release the larger females (over 60 lbs/27 kgs), which may carry up to a million eggs, and keep the smaller males, often called “chickens,” because of their superior flavour. Average size: 9 to 18 kgs (20 to 40 lbs)
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