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Big Qualicum Hatchery

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About us

The Big Qualicum Hatchery deploys a number of spawning channel and hatchery enhancement techniques to increase populations of Pacific salmon including Chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon. It was built in 1963 and was the first of the modern enhancement projects to be undertaken in this province and has provided a model for other developments. Research and assessment at this facility has helped increased the scientific data available on salmonid behaviour as well as life cycle and habitat requirements.

The hatchery provides harvest opportunity for in river recreational and indigenous anglers as well as provides Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fish to Qualicum First Nation.

Our hatchery and interpretive centre includes a display room containing a topographical model of the Big Qualicum project, public washrooms, viewing area which allows you to watch the fish eye-to-eye, a picnic site and nature trails. You can take a self-guided tour of the hatchery, which is open from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, or tour the nearby walking trails at any time.

Visiting the hatchery

Address and contact information

215 Fisheries Rd
Qualicum Beach, BC
V9K 1Z5

Please access the hatchery via River Road. Do not park on Qualicum First Nation property or you may be towed.

Telephone: 250-757-8412
Fax: 250-757-8741
Hatchery manager: Aaron Burgoyne
Email: Aaron.Burgoyne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Hours

7 am to 3 pm daily
Please telephone to confirm holiday hours.

Directions

From the Inland Island Hwy (19), take the Horne Lake exit (75). Follow Horne Lake Road until you pass the railroad tracks and take the next left (continuing onto Horne Lake Road). On your immediate left (you will see a Big Qualicum Hatchery sign), turn onto the gravel road (River Road). Follow that down to the hatchery parking lot.

From the Island Hwy (19A), take the exit on Horne Lake Road. Take the first right onto a gravel road (River Road) and continue until you reach the hatchery parking lot.

Fishing rules

Big Qualicum River is a popular fishing spot for recreational fishers. Knowing fishing rules and regulations is a condition of licence for all recreational fishers. Check our Region 1 webpage to find current fishing limits, openings and closures before you head out to fish.

Key activities

Local fishing and community involvement

When can I see salmon?

Adult salmon

Adult salmon can be viewed from late July through to December but the best time to visit is the first 2 weeks of October. All egg-takes are done during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Juvenile salmon

Juvenile salmon can be viewed in our raceways and earthen channels in the winter/spring. The best time to view them is April and May with Coho released in early May and Chinook release in late May and late June.

The automated marking trailer is on site in April/May to clip and tag Chinook, and in June for Coho.

The best way to contact the hatchery for details on specific dates of activities listed above and updates on river abundance is via email. Phone messages are not returned.

Horne Lake

Please note, water levels will not be monitored at Horne Lake on December 26, 2024.

Date Lake level (ft.) Surface temperature (°C) River flow (cfs)
May 15, 2025 388.6 12.7 80.0
May 8, 2025 388.9 9.9 79.0
May 1, 2025 388.9 6.8 109.0
April 24, 2025 389.3 7.0 130.0
April 10, 2025 389.4 7.1 256.0
April 3, 2025 390.5 5.7 379.0
March 27, 2025 391.5 4.7 480.0
March 21, 2025 389.9 4.8 244.0
March 12, 2025 389.7 4.5 430.0
March 6, 2025 387.4 4.4 242.0
February 27, 2025 386.8 4.2 108
February 20, 2025 382.7 3.8 77
February 13, 2025 382.6 3.0 76
February 6, 2025 382.8 3.5 129
January 30, 2025 383.1 4.4 131
January 24, 2025 383.6 5.0 133
January 16, 2025 384.2 5.6 198
January 2, 2025 384.6 6.1 348
December 19, 2024 383.0 6.8 349
December 12, 2024 382.6 7.1 228
December 5, 2024 382.8 7.5 227
November 28, 2024 384.5 7.8 414
November 21, 2024 384.8 8.9 415
November 14, 2024 385.3 10.6 418
November 7, 2024 383.1 11.2 247
Octobre 31, 2024 382.7 11.5 199
October 24, 2024 382.4 13.0 247
October 17, 2024 381.1 14.3 217
October 10, 2024 381.8 15.1 100
October 3, 2024 382.2 16.8 100
September 26, 2024 382.7 17.8 101
September 19, 2024 383.3 19.9 103
September 12, 2024 383.9 19.9 104
September 5, 2024 384.5 19.8 104
August 29, 2024 385.1 20.8 104
August 22, 2024 385.7 20.4 87
August 15, 2024 386.0 20.7 69
August 8, 2024 386.4 20.0 69
August 1, 2024 386.6 22 69
July 25, 2024 387.0 20.2 70
July 18, 2024 387.5 23.8
(surface temperature measured with a thermometer)
70
July 11, 2024 387.9 info not available 70
July 3, 2024 388.3 12.5 70
June 27, 2024 388.5 11.5 70
June 20, 2024 388.8 11.5 70
June 13, 2024 389.0 11.2 63
June 6, 2024 389.2 10.4 55.0
May 30, 2024 388.7 9.6 55.0
May 24, 2024 388.7 9.6 115.0
May 23, 2024 388.7 10.0 55
May 16, 2024 388.8 10.0 57
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