Results of the British Columbia freshwater recreational fishing survey, 2022

Pacific tidal recreational fishing 2000 to 2022, fast facts

Key metrics for the BC freshwater recreational fishing industry

All values reflect the average from 2000 to 2022. Dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

• Average expenditures: $526 million
• Average angling: 3.95 million
• Average active fishers: 284,000
• Average licence sales: 331,000)
• Average GDP contribution: $221 million
• Average household income: $138 million
• Average employment: 2,975

Key survey findings

• There is considerable economic spin-off value generated by the freshwater recreational fishing sector in BC, with expenditures averaging $526 million from 2000 to 2022. Of these expenditures, $211 million was value added by the freshwater sport fishing sector to provincial GDP.
• Recreational fishing generates economic value in the communities where purchases are made. On average, purchases made for freshwater fishing support 2,975 jobs per year and provide $138 million in household income to families across BC.
• While there is growing interest in freshwater fishing from visitors to the province, BC residents dominate sport fishing in British Columbia.
  • In 2022, British Columbia residents made up:
    • 81% of fishers
    • 89% of days
    • 75% of expenditures
  • Other Canadians in 2022 accounted for:
    • 14% of fishers
    • 8% of days
    • 15% of expenditures
  • International participants in 2022 comprised:
    • 6% of fishers
    • 3% of days
    • 10% of expenditures
• On average, fishers spent 13 days per year and 4.5 hours per day fishing. However effort was higher for BC residents compared to visitors to the province.
  • In 2022, BC Residents fished an average of 14 days in the year.
  • Other Canadian residents fished an average of 8 days in the year.
  • International participants fished an average of 6 days in the year.

BC freshwater fishing spatial and temporal patterns, 2022

Key takeaways

• Fishing expenditures and activity are concentrated both spatially and temporally.
• Fishing activity peaks in the summer months with 75% of fishing occurring from May to September.
• Geographically, freshwater activity is concentrated in a few key management areas and waterbodies.

In 2022, the number of fishing days and corresponding expenditures by month were as follows:

• In April, there were 148,000 fishing days with expenditures totaling $35 million. In May, the fishing days increased to 363,000 and the expenditures rose to $60 million. June saw a further increase with 514,000 fishing days and $87 million in expenditures.
• In July, there were 562,000 fishing days with expenditures of $97 million. August had the most fishing days at 586,000 and the expenditures were at their highest at $107 million. In September, there were 511,000 fishing days with slightly higher expenditures than August at $111 million.
• In October, the number of fishing days reduced to 286,000 and expenditures were at $69 million. The numbers continued to decrease in November and December, with 91,000 and 65,000 fishing days and expenditures of $13 million and $8 million respectively.
• In January, February, and March, the fishing days were relatively stable at 85,000, 84,000, and 83,000 respectively, with corresponding expenditures of $13 million, $12 million, and $14 million.

In 2022, the top waterbodies for freshwater recreational fishing were as follows:

• In the Lower Mainland region, the Chilliwack/Vedder River saw the most angling days with about 119,895 days and expenditures around $18,468,907.
• The Fraser River in the same region had about 64,147 angling days with higher expenditures amounting to approximately $21,133,194.
• The Vedder Canal also in the Lower Mainland had around 46,837 angling days with expenditures reaching about $6,029,623.
• In the Cariboo region, Sheridan Lake was had the most activity with about 61,967 angling days with expenditures of approximately $12,573,856.
• In the Thompson-Nicola region, Shuswap Lake had the most activity with around 55,413 angling days with expenditures at about $8,441,043.
• On Vancouver Island, Campbell River (the river, rather than the city) had the most activity with about 41,595 angling days with expenditures of approximately $3,644,582.

BC freshwater fishing regional patterns in 2022

Key takeaways

• Freshwater fishing activity is well distributed across regions.
• Thompson-Nicola had the highest fishing activity in 2022, accounting for 20% of fishing days and 21% of expenditures.
• Rainbow Trout was the most targeted species in all regions other than the Lower Mainland and Skeena.

Key freshwater fishing metrics by BC region

Skeena

• Fishing days: 264 K
• Active fishers: 25 K
• Total expenditures: $78 M
• Expenditures per day: $295
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (15%), Steelhead (43%), Other Trout (16%), Coho Salmon (9%), Other Salmon (15%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (1%)

Omineca/Peace

• Fishing days: 253K
• Active fishers: 21K
• Total expenditures: $44 M
• Expenditures per day: $174
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (46%), Lake Trout (19%), Kokanee (8%), Other Trout (13%), Other Salmon (1%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (14%)

Cariboo

• Fishing days: 428 K
• Active fishers: 34 K
• Total expenditures: $79 M
• Expenditures per day: $186
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (54%), Lake Trout (13%), Kokanee (14%), Other Trout (13%), Other Salmon (5%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (1%)

Thompson-Nicola

• Fishing days: 664 K
• Active fishers: 64 K
• Total expenditures: $131 M
• Expenditures per day: $197
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (71%), Lake Trout (9%), Kokanee (8%), Other Trout (7%), Other Salmon (3%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (2%)

Kootenay

• Fishing days: 522 K
• Active fishers: 40 K
• Total expenditures: $81 M
• Expenditures per day: $155
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (44%), Dolly Varden/Bull Trout (19%), Cutthroat Trout (15%), Other Trout (15%), Other Salmon (0%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (7%)

Vancouver Island

• Fishing days: 381 K
• Active fishers: 36 K
• Total expenditures: $61 M
• Expenditures per day: $159
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (31%), Cutthroat Trout (26%), Other Trout (15%), Coho Salmon (8%), Other Salmon (15%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (5%)

Lower Mainland

• Fishing days: 429 K
• Active fishers: 48 K
• Total expenditures: $92 M
• Expenditures per day: $215
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (15%), Other Trout (22%), Coho Salmon (14%), Other Salmon (12%), White Sturgeon (34%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (2%)

Okanagan

• Fishing days: 436 K
• Active fishers: 38 K
• Total expenditures: $59 M
• Expenditures per day: $136
• Species expenditures: Rainbow Trout (59%), Lake Trout (12%), Kokanee (10%), Other Trout (8%), Other Salmon (4%), Other (non-salmon, non-trout) (6%)

Fishing expenditures and days by region — summary of pattern observed

• In terms of fishing days, the Thompson-Nicola region accounted for the highest percentage at 20%, followed by Kootenay at 15%. Cariboo, Lower Mainland, and Okanagan each accounted for 13%, while Vancouver Island represented 11%. The regions with the fewest fishing days were Skeena at 8% and Omineca/Peace at 7%.
• In terms of expenditures, the Thompson-Nicola region again had the highest percentage at 21%, followed by Lower Mainland at 15%. Cariboo and Kootenay each accounted for 13% of the expenditures, while Skeena made up 12%. Vancouver Island accounted for 10%, Okanagan for 9%, and Omineca/Peace for 7%.

BC freshwater fishing 2022, target species

Key takeaways

• BC’s abundance of trout species make this the most popular species group for freshwater recreational fishing. In 2022 trout accounted for 83% of fishing efforts, and 80% of fishing expenditures ($2.8 million) in 2022.
• Rainbow Trout were the most targeted species in 2022, making up 50% of all fishing efforts in BC Freshwaters. Fishers spent $272 million targeting rainbow trout in 2022.
• Pacific Salmon were targeted on 10% of fishing days in BC freshwaters in 2022. Fishers spent $68 million targeting salmon species in 2022. Coho expenditures were the highest among the salmon species, accounting for 38% of all salmon spending or $26 million in total expenditures.
• White Sturgeon are a high value freshwater recreational species in BC. While targeted on only 1% of fishing days, the species accounted for more than 5% of freshwater fishing expenditures, totaling $34 million in 2022.

Fishing days and expenditures by species group and species:

Values reflect the 2022-23 fishing year and dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

Trout species group:

• Total species group: 2.8 M fishing days, $500 M expenditures
• Rainbow trout: 1,674,085.824 fishing days, $272 M expenditures
• Lake trout: 247,013.8479 fishing days, $50 M expenditures
• Steelhead: 121,800.6579 fishing days, $51 M expenditures
• Kokanee: 263,560.1679 fishing days, $39 M expenditures
• Cutthroat trout: 217,379.9874 fishing days, $38 M expenditures
• Dolly Varden/Bull trout: 142,781.0074 fishing days, $29 M expenditures
• Brook trout: 97,245.54727 fishing days, $15 M expenditures
• Other trout: 32,406.47583 fishing days, $7 M expenditures

Pacific salmon species group:

• Total species group: 0.3 M fishing days, $68 M expenditures
• Coho salmon: 147,693.1538 fishing days, $26 M expenditures
• Chinook salmon: 79,849.14004 fishing days, $19 M expenditures
• Sockeye salmon: 49,764.199 fishing days, $10 M expenditures
• Pink salmon: 34,573.98415 fishing days, $7 M expenditures
• Chum salmon: 25,859.12482 fishing days, $6 M expenditures

Other species:

• Total: 0.2 M fishing days, $57 M expenditures
• White Sturgeon: 39,175.21838 fishing days, $34 M expenditures
• Other Species: 203,250.0835 fishing days, $23 M expenditures

BC freshwater fishing 2022, salmon

Key takeaways

• Pacific salmon are an important species for the freshwater recreational fishing sector.
• In 2022, 44 K anglers fished for Pacific salmon species in freshwater, spending a total of $68 million and 338 K days fishing for the species.
• Coho and chinook were the highest value salmon species in freshwater, accounting for $26 million and $19 million in total expenditures, respectively.
• Freshwater salmon fishing in BC is highly concentrated, with 89% of fishing occurring in the Lower Mainland, Skeena, and Vancouver Island.
• The top waterbodies for freshwater salmon fishing in 2022 were Chilliwack/Vedder river, Vedder Canal, and Fraser River in the Lower Mainland, Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and Kitimat River in the Skeena.
• Salmon hatcheries help support BC's fisheries, including the freshwater recreational fishing sector:
  • There are more than 90 salmon hatcheries located within the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
  • 40% of chinook fishing efforts and 44% of coho fishing efforts in freshwater province wide were associated with hatchery fish in 2022.

Salmon: Fishing days by BC region and species

Lower Mainland:

• Chinook: 40,455
• Coho: 90,070
• Sockeye: 7,467
• Pink: 2,023
• Chum: 16,236
• All Salmon: 156,252
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: 46%

Skeena:

• Chinook: 8,454
• Coho: 34,209
• Sockeye: 29,569
• Pink: 9,435
• Chum: 5,517
• All Salmon: 87,186
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: 26%

Vancouver Island:

• Chinook: 13,233
• Coho: 17,575
• Sockeye: 1,335
• Pink: 22,137
• Chum: 3,553
• All Salmon: 57,833
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: 17%

Thompson-Nicola:

• Chinook: 8,962
• Coho: 1,908
• Sockeye: 3,267
• Pink: 203
• Chum: 123
• All Salmon: 14,463
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: 4%

Okanagan:

• Chinook: 4,916
• Coho: 423
• Sockeye: 6,507
• Pink: 29
• Chum: 62
• All Salmon: 11,936
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: 4%

Cariboo:

• Chinook: 3,485
• Coho: 3,175
• Sockeye: 482
• Pink: 639
• Chum: 339
• All Salmon: 8,119
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: 2%

Omineca/Peace:

• Chinook: 97
• Coho: 121
• Sockeye: 875
• Pink: 71
• Chum: 20
• All Salmon: 1,185
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: <1%

Kootenay:

• Chinook: 247
• Coho: 212
• Sockeye: 262
• Pink: 38
• Chum: 8
• All Salmon: 766
• Percentage of total salmon fishing in region: <1%

In 2022, the top waterbodies for freshwater salmon fishing, as well as their fishing days and expenditures were as follows:

Chilliwack/Vedder River (Lower Mainland):

• Salmon fishing days: 78 K
• % of province-wide salmon fishing: 12%
• Salmon expenditures: $10 M

Vedder Canal (Lower Mainland):

• Salmon fishing days: 31 K
• % of province-wide salmon fishing: 5%
• Salmon expenditures: $4.2 M

Fraser River (Lower Mainland):

• Salmon fishing days: 26 K
• % of province-wide salmon fishing: 4%
• Salmon expenditures: $4.2 M

Campbell River (Vancouver Island):

• Salmon fishing days: 25 K
• % of province-wide salmon fishing: 4%
• Salmon expenditures: $4.4 M

Kitimat River (Skeena):

• Salmon fishing days: 21 K
• % of province-wide salmon fishing: 3%
• Salmon expenditures: $4.5 M

BC freshwater fishing 2022, Fraser River white sturgeon

Key takeaways

• White sturgeon are a high value freshwater recreational fishing species in BC:
  • Fishers spent $34 million targeting white sturgeon in 2022.
  • While accounting for only 1% of fishing days in 2022, white sturgeon fishing made up 6% of guided fishing days, 5% of total spending and 18% of spending on fishing packages.
  • Anglers spent $860 per fishing day on average targeting white sturgeon in 2022, compared to $177 per day on average overall.
• White sturgeon provide a unique recreational fishery in BC:
  • In 2022, more than 60% of white sturgeon anglers fished only for this species throughout the year.
  • White sturgeon fishing provides economic opportunity for fishing guides, lodges, and charter operators. 46% of fishing trips targeting sturgeon were guided in 2022, compared to 9% on average overall.

White sturgeon: Fishing days and expenditures by BC region

Values reflect the 2022-23 fishing year and dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

• White sturgeon fishing in BC is limited to the Fraser River, which runs through the Lower Mainland, Thompson-Nicola, Cariboo, and Omineca/Peace regions. However, Omineca/Peace region are closed to all fishing for white sturgeon.
• In 2022, the most white sturgeon fishing occurred in the Lower Mainland portion of the Fraser River, with around 50 thousand days and $50 million dollars spent targeting the species in this region.
• White sturgeon fishing in the Thompson-Nicola region accounted for around 7 thousand days and $1.7 million in fishing expenditures in 2022.
• White sturgeon fishing in the Cariboo accounted for around 1,000 days and $40 million in fishing expenditures in 2022.

BC freshwater fishing 2022, steelhead

Key takeaways

• Steelhead are one of the top species fished recreationally in BC freshwaters.
  • In 2022, anglers spent 122 K days and $51 million fishing for the species.
• Skeena region is the most popular region for steelhead fishing.
  • In 2022, 42% of fishing days and 65% of expenditures spent targeting steelhead took place in this region.
  • 77% of total spending on fishing packages in the Skeena region was attributable to steelhead fishing in 2022, accounting for $14.5 million in expenditures.

Steelhead: Fishing days and expenditures by BC region

Values reflect the 2022-23 fishing year and dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

Skeena:

• Fishing days: 51,079.87
• Total expenditures: $33,504,589.15

Lower Mainland:

• Fishing days: 40,719.77
• Total expenditures: $6,559,109.84

Vancouver Island:

• Fishing days: 20,908.08
• Total expenditures: $4,289,569.17

Cariboo:

• Fishing days: 6,908.51
• Total expenditures: $6,639,864.87

Thompson-Nicola:

• Fishing days: 1,001.95
• Total expenditures: $191,775.12

Kootenay:

• Fishing days: 491.04
• Total expenditures: $84,309.97

Omineca/Peace:

• Fishing days: 352.48
• Total expenditures: $13,690.54

Okanagan:

• Fishing days: 338.96
• Total expenditures: $116,573.73

In 2022, the top waterbodies for steelhead fishing, as well as their fishing days and expenditures were as follows:

• In the Lower Mainland, Chilliwack/Vedder River had the most Steelhead fishing days at 21,000, with expenditures reaching $2 million.
• In Skeena Region, Bulkley River came in second with 14,000 Steelhead fishing days and higher expenditures totaling $7 million.
• Also in the Skeena, Morice River was the third most common waterbody for steelhead fishing with 10,000 with expenditures up to $5 million.
• Following this Skeena River, also in Skeena region has 7,000 Steelhead fishing days and expenditures amounting to $3 million.
• Finally, on Vancouver Island, Cowichan River also has 7,000 Steelhead fishing days but with lower expenditures of $1 million.

BC freshwater recreational fishing, 2000 to 2022 trends

Key takeaways

• From 2015 to 2022, total freshwater recreational fishing days decreased while spending in the sector increased.
• The total expenditures for fishing and the number of active fishers have fluctuated substantially since 2000:
  • Active fishers fell from 2000 to 2005, rose from 2005 to 2015, and then decreased from 2015 to 2022.
  • Expenditures increased from 2000 to 2010, dropped significantly from 2010 to 2015 and recovered slightly from 2015 to 2022.
• Total fishing days showed a declining trend from 2000 to 2022, however the trend varies by fisher residency:
  • BC residents have consistently had highest fishing days across residencies throughout the years, fishing activity by BC residents has shown a declining trend in recent years. From 2015 to 2022, BC resident fishing activity declined by 20%.
  • Similarly, fishing by International residents has shown a declining trend since 2000. Fishing days by visitors to Canada declined by around 24% from 2015 to 2022.
  • In contrast, freshwater fishing by other Canadians has increased in recent years. Fishing days increased by 26% from 2010 to 2015, and further increased by 4% from 2015 to 2022.

Key freshwater metrics by year, 2000 to 2022

Total expenditures (2022$)

• 2000: $674 M
• 2005: $711 M
• 2010: $766 M
• 2015: $563 M
• 2022: $625 M

Active fishers:

• 2000: 304 K
• 2005: 271 K
• 2010: 286 K
• 2015: 300 K
• 2022: 259 K

Fishing days:

• 2000: Total 4.4 M (Resident 3.9 M, Non-Resident Canadian 212 K, International 261 K)
• 2005: Total 4.0 M (Resident 3.6 M, Non-Resident Canadian 208 K, International 194 K)
• 2010: Total 3.8 M (Resident 3.5 M, Non-Resident Canadian 205 K, International 152 K)
• 2015: Total 4.2 M (Resident 3.8 M, Non-Resident Canadian 259 K, International 122 K)
• 2022: Total 3.4 M (Resident 3.0 M, Non-Resident Canadian 270 K, International 93 K)

BC freshwater fishing expenditures, 2022

Key takeaways

• Fishing expenditures vary by trip type and target species.
• In terms of expenditures, in 2022:
  • Shore-Based Trips had the lowest daily expenditures in 2022, but accounted for $67 million in total annual spending.
  • Private Boat Trips without a guide had the second lowest daily expenditures in 2022, but accounted for the highest annual total fishing expenditures, at $335 million.
  • Private Boat Trips with a guide had the second highest daily expenditures on major purchases and the second highest daily expenditures overall. However, the annual total fishing expenditure were the lowest among trip types at $52 million.
  • Hired Boat Trips with a guide or charter have the highest overall daily expenditures, and a high annual total fishing expenditure of $172 million. The majority of daily spending on charter trips came from on direct and package expenditures, at around $384 per day.
• Across all trip types, the majority of spending is attributable to trout fishing.
• White sturgeon are more frequently targeted on guided fishing trips with 32% of spending on charter trips being attributable to white sturgeon fishing.
• Salmon are most commonly targeted on shore-based fishing trips, with 21% of spending on shore-based trips being attributable to salmon fishing.

Per day and total expenditures by trip type

Values reflect the 2022-23 fishing year and dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

Shore-Based Trips:

• Major purchases per day: $65
• Direct and package expenditures per day: $79
• Package expenditures per day: $6
• Direct expenditures per day: $73
• Total annual fishing expenditures: $67 million

Private Boat Trips (without guide):

• Major purchases per day: $92
• Direct and package expenditures per day: $85
• Package expenditures per day: $3
• Direct expenditures per day: $83
• Total annual fishing expenditures: $335 million

Private Boat Trips (with guide):

• Major purchases per day: $118
• Direct and package expenditures per day: $223
• Package expenditures per day: $65
• Direct expenditures per day: $157
• Total annual fishing expenditures: $52 million

Hired Boat Trips with Guide/Charter:

• Major purchases per day: $88
• Direct and package expenditures per day: $384
• Package expenditures per day: $135
• Direct expenditures per day: $249
• Total annual fishing expenditures: $172 million

Species expenditures by trip type

Values reflect the 2022-23 fishing year and dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

Shore-Based Trips:

• Salmon: $36,439,710
• Other species: $8,762,179
• Sturgeon: $2,921,333
• Trout: $123,441,860

Private Boat Trips (without guide):

• Salmon: $17,277,868
• Other species: $12,191,569
• Sturgeon: $4,892,396
• Trout: $300,798,209

Private Boat Trips (with guide):

• Salmon: $5,277,183
• Other species: $1,089,661
• Sturgeon: $4,246,792
• Trout: $41,115,543

Hired Boat Trips with Guide/Charter:

• Freshwater Salmon: $9,108,328
• Other species: $997,854
• Sturgeon: $21,681,411
• Trout: $35,049,464

BC freshwater fishing package deals, 2022

Key takeaways

In 2022, the average cost for a fishing package varied based on the services included:

• Charter Boat Packages, which include guided fishing on a hired boat, are priced on average at $1,000.
• Lodge/Resort Packages, which include accommodations and may also include additional services like guided fishing, cost more at an average of $2,700.
• Fly-in Packages, which include air transportation and may also encompass other services such as accommodations and guided fishing, were the most expensive package type, with an average cost of $7,700.
• Other Fishing Packages, which include services related to fishing but exclude a boat hire, accommodations, and flights, are the least expensive and average around $800.

In 2022, package types and expenditures varied by region:

• The most freshwater fishing packages were sold in Thompson-Nicola Region (26%), followed by the Lower Mainland and Skeena region (22% for each).
• Packages in the Skeena accounted for the highest expenditures in 2022.
• 58% of fly-in packages, and 47% of lodge/resort packages were sold in the Skeena region in 2022).
• The most charter boat packages (51%) were sold in the Lower Mainland.

Package expenditures by region and package type

Values reflect the 2022-23 fishing year and dollar amounts are in 2022 dollars.

• In the Cariboo region, the total package expenditure was $5,313,643, which made up 10% of the total packages in the region. This included $992 for Charter Boat, $2,527,826 for Fly-in, $2,694,268 for Lodge/Resort, and $90,558 for other packages.
• The Kootenay region had a total package expenditure of $2,213,261, or 9% of the region's total. This included $774,306 for Charter Boat, $1,030,540 for Lodge/Resort, and $408,415 for other packages.
• The Lower Mainland region spent $9,723,192 in total, or 22% of the region's total. This included $1,760,583 for Charter Boat, $2,668,800 for Fly-in, $4,222,212 for Lodge/Resort, and $1,071,596 for other packages.
• In the Okanagan region, the total package expenditure was $433,940, or 3% of the region's total. This included $41,877 for Charter Boat, $293,380 for Lodge/Resort, and $98,683 for other packages.
• The Omineca region had a total expenditure of $396,014, making up 1% of the total packages in the region. This included $41,454 for Charter Boat, $57 for Fly-in, $308,760 for Lodge/Resort, and $45,742 for other packages.
• The Skeena region spent $18,814,384 in total, or 22% of the region's total. This included $76,289 for Charter Boat, $8,208,736 for Fly-in, $10,431,680 for Lodge/Resort, and $97,679 for other packages.
• The Thompson-Nicola region had a total expenditure of $3,145,190, or 26% of the region's total. This included $155,255 for Charter Boat, $129,471 for Fly-in, $2,702,498 for Lodge/Resort, and $157,966 for other packages.
• In the Vancouver Island region, the total package expenditure was $1,654,348, or 7% of the region's total. This included $570,312 for Charter Boat, $511,879 for Fly-in, $451,318 for Lodge/Resort, and $120,839 for other packages.