The Milbanke Sound, Laredo Sound, St. John's Harbour, Bella Bella, Shearwater, Hakai Pass, and Bella Coola areas, located in the Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast Region of British Columbia is simply one of the best wilderness fishing areas on earth.

These famous names situated in this fabulous fishing area is also the home of abundant sea-life including whales, Killer whales, seals, dolphins and porpoises, and wildlife such as bear, deer and bald eagles. A beautiful marine park is also located at Hakai Pass. Of course, more importantly to you, this incredible area contains huge quantities of salmon (all 5 species), Halibut, Lingcod and Rockfish.

With scores of islands, massive kelp beds and millions of herring it is no wonder why this is such a fantastic fishing ground. Chinook salmon in the 70 lb. range is certainly possible!

The front runners of the huge migrations of Chinook start to filter in around early June and will continue through July and then taper off towards late August. Peak period occurs from mid to late July through early August.

Coho, the large northerns will start to arrive in mid-July and will continue through mid- September. Local area fish may arrive earlier and will feed in that local area until fall when at that time they will head into their home streams to spawn.

Halibut and Yellow Eye Rockfish are present in great numbers. Lingcod are reported to reach huge sizes in St. John's Harbour. (See Game Fish of BC)

Many fishing resorts are located in the Coast region of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. They can be reached by float plane or boat from the communities of Bella Bella, Shearwater and Bella Coola. However, most are wilderness fly-in resorts with direct flights from the city of Vancouver. Bella Coola can be reached by car by travelling west on Hwy. 20 from the city of Williams Lake, located in the heart of the Cariboo region of B.C.

Rivers Inlet

Probably British Columbia's best known saltwater fishing destination, Rivers Inlet has long been famous for its world record Chinook salmon. 90+ lb. tyees have been caught in this area, in fact a 126 lb. Chinook was caught by a commercial fisherman off the mouth of Rivers Inlet. Home to all species of Pacific salmon, the Rivers Inlet fishery has been greatly enhanced through a Chinook hatchery project located at Shotbolt Bay. Returning 4 year-old hatchery fish have been caught that weigh over 70 lbs!

White feeder springs will start entering the inlet in May and continue through to June. The main run of Wannock tyees start showing in late July and continue on through to September.

Coho arrive in mid-July and continue through mid-Sept. Peak time is from mid-August to early September. Light line fishing can be terrific during this time! Large Northerns of up to 28 lbs. have been caught in the inlet.

This beautiful inlet contains many full-featured fishing resorts that will cater to all your needs and of course guide you to that trophy fish!

Rivers Inlet is only accessible by float plane or boat. All transportation can be arranged by these lodges. Direct flights from Port Hardy, Vancouver or Seattle are common.

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