Internet Socio-Economic (iSEA) survey of freshwater recreational fishing in B.C.
Current status: Closed
This survey opened on March 16 and will close on May 1, 2026.
In a joint effort with the British Columbia (B.C.) Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, we are conducting a survey on the activity and expenditures of freshwater recreational fishers in British Columbia. Our goal is to collect information about recreational fishing in British Columbia to track the ongoing importance of freshwater recreational fishing to B.C.’s communities, and to support economic analysis.
We have worked with B.C. for many years as signatories to the 1985 Canada-British Columbia General Fisheries Agreement, which provides for collaboration between the federal and provincial governments specifically in the areas of conserving and managing aquatic living resources and their habitat. We are responsibile for protection of freshwater salmon and B.C. is responsible for all other freshwater species.
The input gathered through this process will be used to establish how freshwater fishing affects economic activity in BC. The value of this information is much increased by a high number of recreational fishers responding to all of the survey questions.
Join in: How to participate
If you are selected to complete this survey, you will receive a link to the online survey via email in March 2026.
The Province of British Columbia has retained the services of PRA Inc., an independent consulting company, to conduct this online survey on their behalf, including contacting you by email. PRA Inc. has extensive experience designing and conducting online surveys.
Privacy notice
Information security is provided by PRA Inc., which has its own rigorous security measures in place.
PRA Inc. has been given access to your name and email address by the Province of BC to simply deliver the survey to you. Your contact information was disclosed to PRA Inc. in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA). No personal information connected to your B.C. Freshwater Recreational Fishing licence has been shared with DFO or any other third party. This information remains confidential and protected in accordance with the provincial FOIPPA.
Who is the focus of this survey
If you held a freshwater fishing licence for the 2025 to 2026 fishing season in BC, you may be selected to complete this survey. The survey seeks to compile all your freshwater fishing activity and costs for the period between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 regardless of the number of licences you purchased.
Whether you hold one or more licences, your survey answers should reflect all of your freshwater fishing activity and expenditures for the indicated period. This means you need only complete one survey.
We would like to thank you in advance for your contribution to this study.
Key questions for discussion
Your input will be sought around the following questions:
- Where you fished
- When you fished
- Species you were fishing
- What you caught
- What you kept
- How much you spent on the activity (e.g. equipment, fuel, transportation and other costs, such as bait or lures, etc.)
- If you did not retain exact amounts for your costs, please provide your best estimate
Results will help inform planning initiatives. They will also improve our understanding of recreational fisher behaviour, expenditures and target species, and how recreational fishing contributes economically to coastal communities and the province.
We will not use the information collected to identify fishers or their fishing bag limits.
The plain text below is for your information only.
Survey questions
Your 2024/2025 Freshwater Recreational Fishing Activities in British Columbia
Language
Do you prefer to do the survey in English or French?
Préférez vous répondre au sondage en français ou en anglais?
Introduction
The questions in this survey are about you and your fishing activities in British Columbia freshwaters from April 2024 to March 2025.
Confidential when completed.
Note: there is a comment box at the end of the survey if you would like to clarify any of your responses or provide further details.
Q2.
Did you fish in British Columbia freshwater under your April 2024 to March 2025 freshwater fishing licence?
1, Yes
0, No [skip to demographics section]
Q5.
Which months did you fish in freshwaters between April 2024 and March 2025?
Select all that apply.
April 2024
May 2024
June 2024
July 2024
August 2024
September 2024
October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
I confirm that the months selected above are the months I fished in freshwater between April 2024 and March 2025.
Q7.
From April 2024 to March 2025, when fishing in freshwater, how many days did you spend fishing in each month?
A particular date on which you fished recreationally for any length of time counts as 1 day fished (this does not include any fishing done under a commercial fishing license or harvest for food, social or ceremonial purposes).
Total days spent fishing in freshwater:
April 2024 _____
May 2024 _____
June 2024 _____
July 2024 _____
August 2024 _____
September 2024 _____
October 2024 _____
November 2024 _____
December 2024 _____
January 2025 _____
February 2025 _____
March 2025 _____
Q8.
On average, how many hours per day did you fish in freshwater in British Columbia on the days you fished between April 2024 and March 2025?
Enter a value between 1 and 24 hours, or select ‘Don’t know’:___________ Don't know
Q9.
Please select all species you fished for in freshwater between April 2024 and March 2025
- Sockeye salmon
- Chinook salmon
- Coho salmon
- Pink salmon
- Chum salmon
- Rainbow trout
- Cutthroat trout
- Lake trout
- Steelhead
- Brook trout
- Dolly varden/bull trout
- Other trout
- Kokanee
- White sturgeon
- Other species
Based on the species you fished for in freshwater, follow-up questions will be asked specific to those species selected. Please confirm that you have made the correct selection above.
I confirm that the species selected above are the species I fished in freshwater between April 2024 and March 2025.
If Q9=only one selected, or Q5=only one month selected, skip Q11.
Q11.
For the month(s) below, which species did you fish in each month?
Check all species that apply.
| Q11A | Q11B | Q11C | Q11D | Q11E | Q11F | |
| April 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | September 2024 | |
| Sockeye salmon | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon | ||||||
| Coho salmon | ||||||
| Pink salmon | ||||||
| Chum salmon | ||||||
| Rainbow trout | ||||||
| Cutthroat trout | ||||||
| Lake trout | ||||||
| Steelhead | ||||||
| Brook trout | ||||||
| Dolly varden/bull trout | ||||||
| Other trout | ||||||
| Kokanee | ||||||
| White sturgeon | ||||||
| Other species |
| Q11G | Q11H | Q11I | Q11J | Q11K | Q11L | |
| October 2024 | November 2024 | December 2024 | January 2025 | February 2025 | March 2025 | |
| Sockeye salmon | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon | ||||||
| Coho salmon | ||||||
| Pink salmon | ||||||
| Chum salmon | ||||||
| Rainbow trout | ||||||
| Cutthroat trout | ||||||
| Lake trout | ||||||
| Steelhead | ||||||
| Brook trout | ||||||
| Dolly varden/bull trout | ||||||
| Other trout | ||||||
| Kokanee | ||||||
| White sturgeon | ||||||
| Other species |
Please click the forward navigation button that is located below. A map will appear for each month that you fished during the 2024/2025 fishing season.
To continue to the map, please click the forward navigation button that is located below.
Please indicate where you fished in freshwater in the month of [month] [year].
You have two options to do this:
- If you know the names of the water bodies you fished in the month of [month] [year]., please use the search box to look up each water body by name, and choose from the list of matches. Please type the name of a body of water
- If you do not know the name of the water bodies you fished in: Please select the locations where you fished in [month] [year]. on the map as you best recall.
View map
Note: you will be able to navigate back and forth between the search and the map. If you know the name of some water bodies but not all, you may use both functions to select all of your fishing locations.
You may select up to 10 water bodies per month.
Instructions:
There are multiple possible locations for [body of water].
On the next screen, please determine which red pin most closely matches where you fished on [body of water], then click/tap on it to select it.
You may zoom and drag the map as needed to determine the correct location.
There are multiple possible locations for [body of water].
Please determine which red pin most closely matches where you fished on [body of water], then click/tap on it to select it.
Q10B.
For your recreational fishing in British Columbia freshwater from April 2024 to March 2025, for each species please provide the number of days you fished.
If none, please enter “0”. The number of days for a species must not exceed your total number of fishing days.
| Do not exceed number of days in Q10A | |
| Species | Number of days fished / [Q7_totaldays] |
|---|---|
| Sockeye salmon | |
| Chinook salmon | |
| Coho salmon | |
| Pink salmon | |
| Chum salmon | |
| Rainbow trout | |
| Cutthroat trout | |
| Lake trout | |
| Steelhead wild | |
| Steelhead hatchery | |
| Brook trout | |
| Dolly varden/bull trout | |
| Trout (other/unknown) | |
| Kokanee | |
| White sturgeon | |
| Other species |
This question is only for those who fished in October and for Salmon in the fishing year and if a manual point on the map was selected instead of using the search option.
In October 2024, did you fish for salmon in the Chilliwack / Vedder River?
Yes
No
Q10C.
This question is only for anyone who fished for Salmon in Chilliwack River in October 2024.
For the following dates, please provide the total number of fish caught and kept by salmon species:
| From Oct 1 to Oct 15 | From Oct 16 to Nov 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # caught | # released | # caught | # released | |
| Do not exceed 10,000 | Do not exceed caught | Do not exceed 10,000 | Do not exceed caught | |
| Sockeye salmon | ||||
| Chinook salmon - adult (62cm or larger) | ||||
| Chinook salmon – Jack (smaller than 62cm) | ||||
| Coho salmon – adult (35cm or larger) | ||||
| Coho salmon– Jack (smaller than 35cm) | ||||
| Pink salmon | ||||
| Chum salmon | ||||
If Q9=Chinook and not selected Q9=Coho, skip to A11C
A11A.
Did you target hatchery chinook (adipose fin-clipped) on any of the days you fished for chinook?
1, Yes
0, No
A11B.
What percentage of the days you fished for chinook did you target hatchery chinook?
______ % Range 1-100
If Q9= Coho and not selected Q9= Chinook, skip to A11E
A11C.
Did you target hatchery coho (adipose fin-clipped) on any of the days you fished for coho?
1, Yes
0, No
A11D.
What percentage of the days you fished for coho did you target hatchery coho?
______ % Range 1-100
If not Q9= Coho and Q9= Chinook, skip to Q12
A11E.
Did you target hatchery chinook or hatchery coho (adipose fin-clipped) on any of the days you fished for chinook or coho?
Please select all that apply.
1, Yes, Chinook
2, Yes, Coho
0, No
If A11E=Yes, Chinook=1,A11F. What percentage of the days you fished for chinook did you target hatchery chinook?
______ % Range 1-100
If A11E=Yes, Coho=2 A11G. What percentage of the days you fished for coho did you target hatchery coho?
______ % Range 1-100
Q12.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, how many days did you spend fishing in freshwater from a private boat, fishing from shore and/or fishing with a guide/charter?
Earlier you mentioned that between April 2024 and March 2025 you fished [Q7_TotalDays] days. Please enter a value between 0 and [Q7_totaldays]. If none, please enter “0” days.
Acceptable range for # of days fished 0 to [Q7_totaldays]. The sum of your responses below cannot be “0”.
| Total days fished | |
|---|---|
| Fishing from a private boat (with a paid guide) | |
| Fishing from a private boat (without a paid guide) | |
| Shore-based fishing includes ice fishing | |
| Fishing with a guide/charter (on a hired boat) |
Q14.
Please rate the importance of each of the following motivations for your fishing trips:
| Not at all important | Somewhat important | Important | Very important | Extremely important | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To catch fish for eating | |||||
| To catch a large fish | |||||
| To catch many fish | |||||
| Availability of hatchery fish | |||||
| For the challenge or sport of fishing | |||||
| To get away from the regular routine | |||||
| For relaxation | |||||
| To bring your family closer together | |||||
| For companionship | |||||
| To improve your fishing skills | |||||
| To be close to nature | |||||
| Opportunity to keep cultural and family traditions | |||||
| For livelihood/employment opportunities |
Household expenditures on recreational fishing
D1.
Did you or any member of your household make any major purchases or investments in British Columbia between April 2024 and March 2025 related in whole or in part to fishing in freshwater?
(e.g., fishing rods, boats, motors, 4x4s, cabins, camping gear, trailers, etc.)
Please Note: Purchases of fishing supplies (lures, line, tackle, bait, etc.) are covered in another question
1, Yes
0, No (skip to D4)
D2.
For each investment category, please indicate the amount of money spent in British Columbia between April 2024 and March 2025 by you and members of your household and estimate the percentage of the total amount you consider was directly attributed to freshwater fishing.
If no amount was spent, please enter a “0”.
Acceptable range for cost is 0 to $5,000,000.
| Investment category | Amount spent in British Columbia (dollars) |
% Attributed to fishing in freshwater (percentage) |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing equipment (rods, reels, fish finders, etc.) |
||
| Camping equipment (tents, camper trailers, etc.) |
||
| Purchased new boating equipment (boats, motors, trailers, etc.) |
||
| Purchased used boating equipment (boats, motors, trailers, etc.) |
||
| Purchased new special vehicles (4x4s, camper truck, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc.) |
||
| Purchased used special vehicles (4x4s, camper truck, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc.) |
||
| Land-buildings (cabins, cottages, land, etc.) |
||
| Other (special clothing, waders, etc.) |
Freshwater packages purchased
D4.
Freshwater packages purchased in 2024/2025
This question refers only to packages purchased in British Columbia from a fishing lodge, guide or outfitter (or their agent), which include a complete range of services such as lodging, food, transportation, etc.
Did you or any member of your household purchase any packages to fish in British Columbia freshwaters between April 2024 and March 2025?
1, Yes
0, No [Skip to D8]
D6.
Please select the number of packages purchased in each area.
Note: Example of packages include chartered boat (guide only/full package), Fly-in and lodges/resorts. Only regions where you indicated you fished in the geography question are shown in the selection list
| None | 1 package | 2 packages | 3 or more packages | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Vancouver island | ||||
| 2 – Lower Mainland | ||||
| 3 – Thompson-Nicola | ||||
| 4 – Kootenay | ||||
| 5 – Cariboo | ||||
| 6 – Skeena | ||||
| 7 – Omineca | ||||
| 8 – Okanagan | ||||
| 9 – Peace |
Freshwater fishing packages – package details
Note to respondents: The following questions may be asked for up to three freshwater fishing packages, depending on how many packages you purchased. Each set of questions refers to one package.
D7P1A
Please indicate what services were purchased for package 1 in [region name]?
Check all that apply
1,charter boat
2,guide
3,fishing supplies
4,food / meals
5,fishing lodge / resort
6,other accommodation
7,airfare
8,other (please specify):
D7P1B
What was the total cost to you and your household for package 1 purchased in [region name]?
(End of package questions)
(If more than one package was purchased in this region, the same questions are asked again for package 2 and package 3.)
D8.
Excluding expenditures on major purchases and package deals, please estimate the amount of money you and other members of your household spent on the following to fish within British Columbia freshwater between April 2024 and March 2025.
If no amount was spent, please enter a “0”.
Acceptable range for cost is 0 to $99,997.
| Expenditure category | amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (hotels, motels, cottage rentals, etc.) |
$______ |
| Campsite fees (private, provincial, etc.) |
$______ |
| Food (groceries, restaurant meals, alcoholic beverages) |
$______ |
| Travel costs within British Columbia for freshwater fishing: vehicle (including gas, repairs), rental vehicle, tolls, etc. |
$______ |
| Ferry | $______ |
| Air fare (not previously reported on in this report) |
$______ |
| Other (not including personal boating costs) |
$______ |
| Household owned boat costs (gas, repairs, launch/ramp fees, moorage, insurance, etc.) |
$______ |
| Shared ownership boat costs (include only your share of expenses) |
$______ |
| Rentals for fishing (boats, gear, etc.) |
$______ |
| Fishing supplies (lures, line, tackle, bait, etc.) |
$______ |
| Guide services (not previously reported on in this report) |
$______ |
| Fishing licence fees (permits, stamps, etc.) |
$______ |
| Access fees (permits, stamps, etc.) |
$______ |
| Other | $______ |
D8O_OE.
Please specify "Other":
Demographics
In order for us to analyze this survey in a meaningful way, we require some personal information about you and your household. This will allow us to accurately estimate the number of anglers in the province, their use of the resource and the economic benefits generated by recreational fishing in freshwater in British Columbia.
Your responses will remain confidential.
DEMO1.
Which of the following age groups do you belong to?
1,Under 18
2,18 to 29
3,30 to 39
4,40 to 49
5,50 to 59
6,60 to 69
7,70 to 79
8,80 to 89
9,90 or over
9999,Prefer not to answer
DEMO2.
Are you:
1,Male
2,Female
4,Transgender
3,Non-binary
5,Other
9,Prefer not to answer
DEMO3.
Excluding yourself, how many members (16 years and over) of your household held B.C. freshwater fishing licences in 2024/2025?
Range 0 - 14
DEMO4.
How many members of your household under 16 years of age, who did not hold their own licence, fished in British Columbia freshwater in 2024/2025?
Range 0 - 14
Please add any additional comments in the space below:
Survey results
- Survey results for the 2024-2025 season
- Survey results for the 2023-2024 season
- Survey results for the 2022-2023 season
Related links
- Information to help you fill out the iSEA survey
- Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, 1990 to 2015
- B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Contact us
Email: iSEA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
- Date modified: