Go Fish BC

Fall coho season is right around the corner, and jig fishing is one of the most effective—and visual—ways to trigger aggressive strikes in B.C.’s Lower Mainland rivers! 🍂🎣

In our guide, we break down everything you need to know to gear up for a successful autumn on the river:
🪶 Jig Selection: Choosing the best color patterns and sizes.
🎣 Techniques That Work: Mastering the "twitching" motion and retrieve.
🌊 Reading the Water: Spotting ideal holding spots.
🛠️ Rigging Up: Setting up the right rod, leaders, and balanced jig head weights for local river flows.

Before heading out, remember to double-check the region 2 freshwater salmon regulations and river-specific retention limits:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html

Hit the link to read the full guide and prepare your tackle box for fall coho: https://www.gofishbc.com/learn/fishing-tips/river-fishing/jig-fishing-for-coho-salmon-in-bc-lower-mainland/

Image: Yong Soo Chang

"While fly imitations of all these invertebrates - shrimp, bloodworms, water boatmen, dragonfly nymphs, damselfly nymphs, caddis larvae – will catch big fish, I have found over my many years of fishing that micro-leeches – my favourite – catch more bragging-rights trout in autumn by far than any other fly pattern." Fishing Advisor Nick Basok shares why he thinks anglers should make Cariboo fly-fishing in the autumn an event for their bucket list, and how micro-leech patterns produce consistent results. https://www.gofishbc.com/learn/fishing-tips/lake-fishing/fall-stillwater-fly-fishing-in-the-cariboo-using-leech-patterns/

Images: Glenn Gerbrandt

If you head to Marquart Lake (Merritt area) to go fishing, you may spot some temporary signs inviting you to report your catch. Participating in our prototype mobile creel survey will only take a minute and could help make Marquart, and lakes across the province, better places to fish. The more reports we receive, the better we can align stocking recommendations with what the lake – and the people who fish it – actually need.

When you finish a day of fishing on Marquart Lake, scan the QR code found on one of the signs posted around the lake to access the survey. For those without smartphones or cellular connection, you can visit the website whenever it’s convenient at ffsbc-mobile-creel.netlify.app. The survey is open from September 2026 through September 2027.

Read more about this project here: https://www.gofishbc.com/news/science-research/testing-new-ways-to-collect-angler-data/

Image: Lukas Homolicki

Kokanee typically mature between age 3 and 5 (but can mature earlier or later), spawning in September or October. They deliver a colourful spawning spectacle, with bright red bodies and green heads. Our staff are currently at several egg collection sites, sorting female and male fish as they arrive at instream traps. Eggs and milt are mixed at the site, then shipped back to our hatcheries to incubate.

For each stream site, an 'escapement' number is set, which represents a percentage of spawning fish which must be passed upstream to ensure natural recruitment persists.

⚠️Please note the Clearwater Trout Hatchery Community Fishing Pond is temporarily closed due to increased bear activity.

Looking for a quick fall fishing getaway in B.C.’s north? You don’t need a boat to enjoy the amazing lakes around Prince George, Vanderhoof, and McBride! 🍁🎣

On the blog, we highlight some of the Omineca region's best dock-fishing locations—perfect for casting a line after work or enjoying a crisp autumn weekend with the family.

Read the article and plan your fall fishing trip:
https://www.gofishbc.com/learn/fishing-tips/lake-fishing/ominecas-easily-accessible-dock-fishing-options-perfect-for-a-quick-fall-getaway/

Images: Tory Lake (Sue Pollard), Shane Lake (Lindsay Thiessen), Nelson Lake (Ian McGregor).

Our Kootenay Learn to Fish crew delivered programs to 8,700 participants this year! Thank you to our regional sponsors that help make the Learn to Fish program a success: Elk Valley Resources and Columbia Basin Trust

Join our team! ✨ We are hiring a regular full-time Outreach Coordinator based at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery in Abbotsford.

In this dynamic role, you will coordinate key outreach initiatives like our popular Learn to Fish and Rod Loan programs, build community partnerships, represent the Society at public events, and secure funding opportunities to help grow recreational angling participation across B.C.

Key Position Details:

📍 Location: Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery (Abbotsford, B.C.)

💼 Type: Regular Full-Time (35-hour work weeks)

💰 Salary range: $40.04 – $45.68/hour + competitive benefits & Public Service Pension Plan

If you have a background in communications, education, biology, or public relations and a passion for B.C.'s freshwater resources, we’d love to hear from you!

🗓️ Application Deadline: September 24, 2026

👇 Tap the link to view the full job description and apply online:
https://www.gofishbc.com/about-us/careers/