SOUTH COAST
Barkley Sound • Campbell River • Clayoquot, Nootka & Kyuquot Sounds •
• Southern Vancouver Island • Northern Vancouver Island • Sunshine Coast •
• Strait of Georgia (Courtenay, Comox & Nanaimo) • Vancouver & Howe Sound

Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”, Campbell River is indeed blessed with an unbeatable combination of great fishing and world-class resorts. Although saltwater fishing is king, with Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum and Pink salmon all being available, lake and river fishing in the Campbell River area are also excellent.

Other destinations in Central Vancouver Island East area include: Johnstone Strait, Kelsey Bay, Sayward, Port Neville; mainland inlets such as: Loughbourough, Bute and Toba Inlet; as well as the fabulous fishing areas around Sonora and Stuart Islands.

Chinooks are present in the area year round however migrations start moving into the area in earnest during late spring. By June fishing for springs is good. Peak time is mid-August and then starts tapering off until mid-September when they start moving into their home streams to spawn.

Coho start arriving during the summer months and peak in September. Large northerns are best from late September through mid-October.

Fly fishing for these magnificent sports fish is becoming more and more popular, however more traditional methods such as trolling with bucktail flies, plugs, spoons, plug-cut herring, or mooching, drift fishing with live herring have a better success catch rate.

Pink, Chum and Sockeye make their appearance during late summer and fishing remains good on through October.

Good quantities of bottom fish such as Yellow Eye and Quillback Rockfish are available to anglers year round while Lingcod can be good when in season. (See Game Fish of BC)

Centrally located on the east side of Vancouver Island, Campbell River is easily accessed by car, bus or plane. Ferry services to nearby Quadra Island can also be found at Campbell River. Although known best for its fishing, Campbell River offers the vacationers much more: excellent camping, golfing, lake and river fishing, hiking, mountain biking, beach combing, wildlife and sea-life viewing, fine restaurants and accommodations, float plane and charter boat services and shopping.

A. Rippingales Fishing: Join us on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and the sheltered waters of Campbell River, for the ultimate salmon fishing adventure -- a family tradition since 1957. You’ll enjoy consistently good fishing and plenty of salmon and seafood, without the crowds. more

Coastal Island Fishing Adventures: We offer year round professionally guided sportfishing in Campbell River, BC, with all ages & levels of anglers welcome for our full & half day trips. Our commitment since day one is to provide you with an exciting and enjoyable, yet memorable & relaxing exper... more

Dent Island Lodge: Our saltwater & freshwater fishing vacation resort, wilderness retreat, & yachting destination is located on BC’s west coast, north of Campbell River; the heart of the most magnificent salmon fishing area in the world. There’s guided salmon fishing, Jetboat t... more

Island Adventure Centre: Join us for orca whale watching, grizzly adventures, salmon saltwater fishing, wildlife & tidal rapids tours, kayak trips, rentals, and lake rentals … The Island Adventure Centre has it all we’re easy to get to but hard to leave. There’s always more to do & s... more

Oak Bay Marine Group: Enjoy the finest world-class BC saltwater fishing adventures with Oak Bay Marine Group. Our seven fabulous resorts throughout coastal BC provide a fishing adventure for everyone! Salmon, halibut and bottom fish, we’ve got it all for people who love to fish. more

Pacific Coastal Airlines: Enjoy scheduled service from Vancouver's South Terminal to Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Klemtu, Masset, Port Hardy (float & amphibious aircraft to coastal communities), Powell River, Trail, Victoria, & Will... more

Painters Lodge: Located in Campbell River, the Salmon Capital of the World, we set the standard for all other saltwater fishing resorts. Enjoy Sportfishing, the excitement of a wildlife adventure or whale watching trip. Lounge by the pool, or enjoy a meal in the restaurant o... more

Sailcone Wilderness Fishing and Grizzly Safaris: We’ve been providing unparalleled fly-in Salmon, Halibut and Steelhead adventures, in 2 productive areas, for 30 years. Our lodge provides a comfortable, intimate and relaxing atmosphere, so let us fulfill your wildest fishing, grizzly safaris and wildlife ad... more

Silver King Lodge: Our fishing charter and lodge operation is on the inside passage to the Alaska King Salmon and in the path of Salmon returning to over 30 river systems. You’ll appreciate the great vacation accommodations for fishing, bear, bird, and whale watching, or for ec... more

For further information contact:
Campbell River Tourism
P.O. Box 482
Campbell, River, B.C. Canada
V9W 2C1