The fall salmon fishing season in British Columbia is world-renowned. From September through November, salmon runs are in full swing across BC.

There are five different species: Coho, Chum, Chinook, Pink, and Sockeye. Typically we find the Coho and Chum runs are the strongest annually, with Pink Salmon delivering nice early-season runs in the odd years. We’ve linked salmon fishing regulations here.

For fishing fanatics, fall is the time to explore BC. There’s no better adventure this time of year than cooking up a freshly caught Coho in the back of a FarOut camper.

In this blog, we’re going to review a few notable salmon fishing areas, and provide links to a few friends of ours who are ready to take you on amazing guided fishing trips.

Squamish

The Sea to Sky region is a hot spot for salmon fishing. The best part of the season starts in mid to late September, when the Coho and Chum Salmon runs start. In odd years (2025, 2027, etc), you’ll also have a solid Pink Salmon run starting in late August. October is an amazing month to catch Coho in Squamish.

Fall is one of the best times to hang out on the Sea to Sky. Typically the summer crowds have cleared out by the fall fishing season, opening up easy access to provincial campgrounds. The alpine trails will all still be snow-free, so there’s tons of additional opportunities for hiking and sightseeing.

By the end of November, the alpine lakes and snowpack start to freeze, making the rivers more shallow and wrapping up the season. If you’re looking for a two-sport vacation Whistler Blackcomb opens around November 20th annually, so you could have a day where you fish in the morning and shred some early season snow in the afternoon – bring your rock skis!

Campbell River

Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” the Campbell River is a must-visit spot for any fishing fanatics. Annually, three to four different species of salmon will make their way up the Campbell River. The nearby Quinsam River also makes for some good fishing opportunities.

Fly-fishing is allowed everywhere on the Campbell. There are a few spots that are exclusive to fly-fishers, so this area becomes a haven for fly-fishing enthusiasts. The fishing season runs a bit earlier here than it does in the Sea-to-Sky. September is typically the best month for salmon fishing, with Coho, Pink, and Chinook salmon being the main catches.

This region is prime for fall camping. You’re right next to Strathcona Provincial Park, so there will be a bunch of beautiful off-roads areas to explore in addition to your fishing expeditions.

Our recommendation for charters in the Campbell River area area is Coastal Wilderness Adventures. They offer both river fishing and ocean fishing charters for salmon, Steelhead and trout, with flyfishing options as well. Much of the river fishing is in remote streams, and is catch and release. Reach out to Curtis and they’ll line up an awesome day of fishing for you!

Fraser River

East of Vancouver, the Fraser River is another phenomenal salmon fishing spot. This surging river serves as a drainage for much of mainland BC. Its basin goes up from Vancouver and Burnaby all the way up to Prince George in northern BC.

The Chum Salmon runs are noteworthy in this region, lasting deep into the end of November. Other species of salmon are also plentiful, with the coho runs wrapping up in mid-November.

This is also a prime region for fall camping. A couple hours south are the magnificent Manning Park Golden Larches, another fall specialty. The snow starts to fall a bit later in the season in the area, so you can expect clear mountain roads for ample adventuring.

Our partner in the Fraser River area is Silversides Fishing Adventures. Brian and his team do regular jet boat trips on the river, going after salmon from September-November. But their speciality is White Sturgeon fishing. The catch-and-release sturgeon average 75-200 pounds, but can weigh up to a thousand. It’s the type of fishing trip you can brag about for a lifetime. During the fall sturgeon trips, you can also walk away with a salmon to cook for dinner!