British Columbia

Campbell River

British Columbia·Vancouver Island·50.04° N, 125.29° W

Steelhead & salmon

Run	Months	Peak	Now
Coho	Sep–Nov	Oct	In
Winter steelhead	Dec–Apr	Jan–Feb	From Dec
Summer steelhead	Jun–Oct	–	From Jun
Pink salmon	Jul–Sep	Aug	From Jul

Run timing is a guide, and seasons, closures and limits change. Check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025–2027, Region 1 (Vancouver Island), and DFO's Region 1 non-tidal salmon limits before you fish.

See the full conditions on the Campbell River

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Solunar · next 7 days

About Campbell River

The Campbell River drains Buttle and Upper Campbell lakes through three BC Hydro dams and reaches the sea at the town that shares its name, after only about 6 km of fishable water below the John Hart generating station. The dams keep the flow steady most of the year. The Quinsam River, with its DFO hatchery, joins about 4 km above the mouth and supplies much of the river's pink and coho salmon.

Above the Quinsam the river is fly fishing only all year, with boulder runs and pocket water reached by trails from Elk Falls Provincial Park. Below the Quinsam it runs through town, and from December to May it is artificial fly only. Pink salmon come in from mid July and hatchery coho from September, and both may be kept below the Quinsam. Summer steelhead come from June and winter steelhead from December, and every wild one goes back. Read the cableway gauge, which sits just below the Quinsam: in late summer it reads near 30 to 40 m³/s, mostly BC Hydro's release, and after fall rain the Quinsam adds to it. The river fishes well up to about 110, and over about 250 it is high and pushy.

The river from the end of Maple Street down to the cement block closes August 1 to October 31 to protect holding salmon. Chinook made the town famous, but they are caught in tidal water off Tyee Spit, and DFO sets any river opening for them each season. River Sportsman, on the Island Highway by the river, sells fly gear.

Species

Pink Salmon
Primary · Jul-Sep (peak Aug) · 45-60 cm
Small pink and chartreuse flies in the runs below the Quinsam. DFO opens pinks there July 15 to October 15. Land fish quickly and keep any you release in the water.
Coho Salmon
Common · Sep-Nov · 50-70 cm
Mostly Quinsam Hatchery fish. Hatchery-marked coho 4 a day below the Quinsam, September 1 to December 31.
Winter Steelhead
Common · Dec-Apr · 60-85 cm
Release every wild steelhead. The fly-only rules cover the whole river in winter.
Steelhead (summer-run)
Present · Jun-Oct · 55-75 cm
Summer fish hold in the fly-only water above the Quinsam. Release every wild steelhead.
Chinook Salmon (fall run)
Present · Aug-Oct · 70-100 cm
DFO decides each season whether chinook open in the river. Until a notice says so, release them.
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Present · Sep-Apr · 25-45 cm
Sea-run cutthroat behind the salmon. Release wild trout.

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size
Pink Salmon	Primary	Jul-Sep (peak Aug)	45-60 cm
Coho Salmon	Common	Sep-Nov	50-70 cm
Winter Steelhead	Common	Dec-Apr	60-85 cm
Steelhead (summer-run)	Present	Jun-Oct	55-75 cm
Chinook Salmon (fall run)	Present	Aug-Oct	70-100 cm
Coastal Cutthroat Trout	Present	Sep-Apr	25-45 cm

Sections

2 reaches

Quinsam to the estuary

WadeSteelhead · Salmon

Below the Quinsam the river runs through town to the estuary at Tyee Spit. Artificial fly only from December 1 to May 31. The lower kilometres rise and fall with the tide.

Best for: Pink salmon from mid July and hatchery coho from September, both open below the Quinsam. Winter steelhead from December. Release every wild steelhead.

John Hart to the Quinsam

WadeSteelhead · Salmon

From the John Hart generating station down to the power line about 200 m above the Quinsam River. Fly fishing only all year. Boulder runs and pocket water below the dam, with trails from Elk Falls Provincial Park. No fishing between Elk Falls and the generating station.

Best for: Summer and winter steelhead, pink salmon in late summer, and coho in the fall, all on the fly. Release every wild steelhead.

At a glance

Ideal wading flow: 30–110 m³/s
Blow-out: >250 m³/s
Ideal water temp: 4–14°C

Best seasons

July to September for pink salmon, September to November for coho, and December to April for winter steelhead. Read the cableway gauge, just below the Quinsam: BC Hydro sets most of the flow, and the river fishes well between about 30 and 110 m³/s. Over about 250 it is high and hard to wade.

Regulations

Fly fishing only from the John Hart generating station to the power line 200 m above the Quinsam, all year. Artificial fly only below that line, December 1 to May 31. No fishing between Elk Falls and the generating station. Release all wild steelhead and wild trout. Bait ban, single barbless hook. Pinks and hatchery coho open below the Quinsam under DFO limits.

No fishing between Elk Falls and the John Hart generating station, and no vessels there.
Fly fishing only, all year, from the John Hart generating station to the power line about 200 m above the Quinsam confluence.
Artificial fly only below that power line, December 1 to May 31.
No fishing from the boundary sign at the end of Maple Street down to the boundary sign at the cement block, August 1 to October 31.
No fishing in any tributary except the Quinsam, December 1 to May 31.
Region 1 quota: trout 4 a day, but no more than 2 from streams (hatchery only) and 1 over 50 cm (2 hatchery steelhead over 50 cm allowed). Release all wild steelhead, all wild trout from streams and all char.
Bait ban and single barbless hook in all Region 1 streams, all year, except where the tables say otherwise.
A Steelhead Conservation Surcharge Stamp is needed to fish for steelhead anywhere in BC.
Salmon (DFO): below the Quinsam, pinks 4 a day July 15 to October 15, and hatchery-marked coho 4 a day September 1 to December 31. DFO sets any chinook opening. Elsewhere on the river the salmon limit is zero.
Salmon in fresh water are managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada: you need a Non-Tidal Salmon Conservation Stamp to keep one, and DFO sets openings and quotas in fishery notices that change through the season.

The Campbell above John Hart Lake, and the river between Strathcona Dam and Campbell Lake, have their own rules in the synopsis. Steelhead and salmon returns swing widely from year to year, and DFO changes salmon openings in season. Check the in-season changes on the BC freshwater fishing regulations page and DFO's non-tidal salmon page for the region before every trip. Licences are sold through the province's WILD licensing system.

Source: BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025–2027, Region 1 (Vancouver Island), and DFO's Region 1 non-tidal salmon limits. Regulations change annually. Verify before fishing.

Getting there

Campbell River, BC

About 2 hrs from Nanaimo, 3.5 hrs from Victoria

Fly shops

River SportsmanCampbell River

Camping: Elk Falls Provincial Park has a campground on the Quinsam River. Hotels and full services in Campbell River.

Trails in Elk Falls Provincial Park and the Canyon View Trail follow the river from the generating station to the Quinsam. Below the Quinsam the river runs through town, with access from parks along the Island Highway.

Campbell River

British Columbia·Vancouver Island·50.04° N, 125.29° W

Log an outing

Steelhead & salmon

Run	Months	Peak	Now
Coho	Sep–Nov	Oct	In
Winter steelhead	Dec–Apr	Jan–Feb	From Dec
Summer steelhead	Jun–Oct	–	From Jun
Pink salmon	Jul–Sep	Aug	From Jul

Fishing: Prime
Flow: 103m³/s; Rising; Campbell River near Campbell River Cableway
Water temp: 9.9°C; Campbell River near Campbell River Cableway

Where: East Vancouver Island - Nanoose Bay to Campbell River, Sunshine Coast - Saltery Bay to Powell River.

Wind warning · East Vancouver Island - Courtenay to Campbell River · through Wed 12:15 PM · Environment and Climate Change Canada

What this means

A warning is Environment Canada's most urgent level. The event is happening or about to happen in this area.

Strong winds are expected.

When: Early this evening until midday Wednesday.

What: Southeast winds 70 gusting to 90 km/h.

Remarks: A very robust frontal system is bringing strong winds to the South Coast. Strong southeasterly winds will develop early this evening and will persist through the night before easing midday on Wednesday.

Local utility outages are possible. Disruptions to services and travel are possible. Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is possible.

Secure loose objects. Be prepared to adapt your driving for changing conditions.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on social media using #BCStorm.

Read the full product from Environment and Climate Change Canada

Where: East Vancouver Island - Nanoose Bay to Campbell River, Sunshine Coast.

Rainfall warning · East Vancouver Island - Courtenay to Campbell River · through Thu 5:15 AM · Environment and Climate Change Canada

What this means

A warning is Environment Canada's most urgent level. The event is happening or about to happen in this area.

Heavy rain is occurring.

When: Now to Wednesday night.

What: 50 to 100 mm of rain.

Remarks: A very robust frontal system is bringing rain to the South Coast. Rainfall rates will intensify tonight and persist through much of the day on Wednesday. The highest rainfall amounts are forecast for the communities between Qualicum Beach and Courtenay, with possible spillover to Powell River.

While rainfall rates ease late Wednesday, periods of light to moderate rain may continue overnight and Thursday, further adding to total rainfall amounts.

Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars.

Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on social media using #BCStorm.

Read the full product from Environment and Climate Change Canada

Flow

103m³/s

Rising

Campbell River near Campbell River Cableway

Water temp

9.9°C

Campbell River near Campbell River Cableway

Normal range

—

Weather

11°C

Light Rain

See the full conditions on the Campbell River

Flow and temperature charts for every station, the weather, and the days ahead. Free, with an email.

A free account also gets you

5-day Fish Index forecastSee how each of the next 5 days rates on every river and lake, from the flow or wind, water temperature, weather and moon forecasts.
A dashboard for your watersSave your rivers and lakes and compare them on one board, with the last week and the days ahead.
A logbook that fills in the conditionsLog outings and trips with photos, even with no signal in the app. Troutline adds the flow, water temperature and weather for each day.
Your angler profileSee other anglers' public outings, and share yours.

Already have an account?

Want history, unlimited alerts and more? , with the first 14 days free for new members.

Solunar · next 7 days

About Campbell River

Species

Pink Salmon
Primary · Jul-Sep (peak Aug) · 45-60 cm
Small pink and chartreuse flies in the runs below the Quinsam. DFO opens pinks there July 15 to October 15. Land fish quickly and keep any you release in the water.
Coho Salmon
Common · Sep-Nov · 50-70 cm
Mostly Quinsam Hatchery fish. Hatchery-marked coho 4 a day below the Quinsam, September 1 to December 31.
Winter Steelhead
Common · Dec-Apr · 60-85 cm
Release every wild steelhead. The fly-only rules cover the whole river in winter.
Steelhead (summer-run)
Present · Jun-Oct · 55-75 cm
Summer fish hold in the fly-only water above the Quinsam. Release every wild steelhead.
Chinook Salmon (fall run)
Present · Aug-Oct · 70-100 cm
DFO decides each season whether chinook open in the river. Until a notice says so, release them.
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Present · Sep-Apr · 25-45 cm
Sea-run cutthroat behind the salmon. Release wild trout.

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size
Pink Salmon	Primary	Jul-Sep (peak Aug)	45-60 cm
Coho Salmon	Common	Sep-Nov	50-70 cm
Winter Steelhead	Common	Dec-Apr	60-85 cm
Steelhead (summer-run)	Present	Jun-Oct	55-75 cm
Chinook Salmon (fall run)	Present	Aug-Oct	70-100 cm
Coastal Cutthroat Trout	Present	Sep-Apr	25-45 cm

Sections

2 reaches

Quinsam to the estuary

WadeSteelhead · Salmon

Below the Quinsam the river runs through town to the estuary at Tyee Spit. Artificial fly only from December 1 to May 31. The lower kilometres rise and fall with the tide.

Best for: Pink salmon from mid July and hatchery coho from September, both open below the Quinsam. Winter steelhead from December. Release every wild steelhead.

John Hart to the Quinsam

WadeSteelhead · Salmon

Best for: Summer and winter steelhead, pink salmon in late summer, and coho in the fall, all on the fly. Release every wild steelhead.

At a glance

Ideal wading flow: 30–110 m³/s
Blow-out: >250 m³/s
Ideal water temp: 4–14°C

Best seasons

Regulations

No fishing between Elk Falls and the John Hart generating station, and no vessels there.
Fly fishing only, all year, from the John Hart generating station to the power line about 200 m above the Quinsam confluence.
Artificial fly only below that power line, December 1 to May 31.
No fishing from the boundary sign at the end of Maple Street down to the boundary sign at the cement block, August 1 to October 31.
No fishing in any tributary except the Quinsam, December 1 to May 31.
Region 1 quota: trout 4 a day, but no more than 2 from streams (hatchery only) and 1 over 50 cm (2 hatchery steelhead over 50 cm allowed). Release all wild steelhead, all wild trout from streams and all char.
Bait ban and single barbless hook in all Region 1 streams, all year, except where the tables say otherwise.
A Steelhead Conservation Surcharge Stamp is needed to fish for steelhead anywhere in BC.
Salmon (DFO): below the Quinsam, pinks 4 a day July 15 to October 15, and hatchery-marked coho 4 a day September 1 to December 31. DFO sets any chinook opening. Elsewhere on the river the salmon limit is zero.
Salmon in fresh water are managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada: you need a Non-Tidal Salmon Conservation Stamp to keep one, and DFO sets openings and quotas in fishery notices that change through the season.

Source: BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025–2027, Region 1 (Vancouver Island), and DFO's Region 1 non-tidal salmon limits. Regulations change annually. Verify before fishing.

Getting there

Campbell River, BC

About 2 hrs from Nanaimo, 3.5 hrs from Victoria

Fly shops

River SportsmanCampbell River

Camping: Elk Falls Provincial Park has a campground on the Quinsam River. Hotels and full services in Campbell River.

Fishing conditions

Prime

PoorSlowFairGoodPrime

How we rate this

Wed

11/11

Thu

11/12

Fri

11/13

Sat

11/14

Sun

11/15

MmorningDmiddayEevening

poorprime

Today

morning7:27a – 11:13aPrimeNew moon

midday11:13a – 2:59pPrimeStrong wind, 32 km/hNew moon

evening2:59p – 6:45pPrimeFalling pressureStrong wind, 36 km/h

All day

Rain coming

Measured

102 m³/s, in range10°C, ideal

Flow

103m³/s

Rising

Campbell River near Campbell River Cableway

Water temp

9.9°C

Campbell River near Campbell River Cableway

Normal range

—

Weather

11°C

Light Rain

Campbell River

Steelhead & salmon

See the full conditions on the Campbell River

About Campbell River

Species

Sections

Quinsam to the estuary

John Hart to the Quinsam

Fishing reports

Read the fishing reports for the Campbell River

More in British Columbia

Vancouver Island

Cowichan River

Gold River

Salmon River

Stamp River

Other regions

Babine River

Bella Coola River

Bulkley River

Bull River

Cheakamus River

Chilliwack River

Campbell River

Steelhead & salmon

See the full conditions on the Campbell River

About Campbell River

Species

Sections

Quinsam to the estuary

John Hart to the Quinsam

Fishing reports

Read the fishing reports for the Campbell River

More in British Columbia

Vancouver Island

Cowichan River

Gold River

Salmon River

Stamp River

Other regions

Babine River

Bella Coola River

Bulkley River

Bull River

Cheakamus River

Chilliwack River

Fishing conditions

Fishing conditions