British Columbia

Salmon River

British Columbia·Vancouver Island·50.30° N, 125.88° W

Steelhead & salmon

Run	Months	Peak	Now
Winter steelhead	Dec–Apr	Feb–Mar	From Dec

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 Salmon River

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Solunar · next 7 days

About Salmon River

The Salmon River drains the mountains of northern Vancouver Island and meets Johnstone Strait at Sayward, about an hour north of Campbell River. Logging roads follow much of it. The open water runs from Kay Creek, beside the Memekay gauge, about 40 km down to the estuary. Everything above Kay Creek is closed. Its steelhead are wild, and every one goes back.

Winter steelhead come from December to April, best from February into April on a drop after rain. Read the Sayward gauge: the river fishes best between about 20 and 60 m³/s, drops to single digits in late summer, and blows out past about 200 in a big winter storm. The Memekay gauge reads the top of the open water. Coho and sea-run cutthroat trout come into the lower river in the fall. Salmon go back: the Region 1 daily limit for salmon is zero on the Salmon.

There are no powered boats above the White River, and a 10 km/h speed limit below it. The roads are working logging roads, so check for hauling and closures before you drive them. Sayward has a few services, and Campbell River has the rest. River Sportsman in Campbell River sells fly gear.

Species

Winter Steelhead
Primary · Dec-Apr (peak Feb-Mar) · 60-85 cm
Wild fish. Swing or nymph the runs and tailouts. Release every steelhead in the water.
Coho Salmon
Present · Oct-Nov · 50-70 cm
The salmon daily limit is zero. Release every coho.
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Present · Sep-Apr · 25-45 cm
Sea-run cutthroat in the lower river. Release wild trout.

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size
Winter Steelhead	Primary	Dec-Apr (peak Feb-Mar)	60-85 cm
Coho Salmon	Present	Oct-Nov	50-70 cm
Coastal Cutthroat Trout	Present	Sep-Apr	25-45 cm

Sections

2 reaches

White River to Sayward

Wade & FloatSteelhead · Salmon · Cutthroat

Below the White River the river widens on its way past the Sayward gauge to the estuary at Sayward. Long runs and gravel bars. A 10 km/h speed limit from the estuary to the White River.

Best for: Winter steelhead from December to April, and coho and sea-run cutthroat trout in the fall. Salmon go back: the daily limit is zero.

Kay Creek to the White River

WadeSteelhead · Rainbow Trout

The upper river, from Kay Creek, where the open water starts, past the Memekay confluence to the White River. Gravel runs and boulder pools reached from the logging roads. No powered boats.

Best for: Wild winter steelhead from December to April, in the runs and tailouts. Release every wild steelhead and wild trout.

At a glance

Ideal wading flow: 20–60 m³/s
Blow-out: >200 m³/s
Ideal water temp: 3–13°C

Best seasons

December to April for wild winter steelhead, best from February into April. Read the Sayward gauge: the river fishes best between about 20 and 60 m³/s, and over about 200 it is blown out.

Regulations

No fishing upstream of Kay Creek. Release all wild steelhead and wild trout. Bait ban and single barbless hook. No powered boats above the White River. Salmon may not be kept.

No fishing upstream of Kay Creek.
No powered boats upstream of the White River confluence, and a 10 km/h speed limit from the estuary to the White River.
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): the daily limit in Region 1 is zero unless DFO lists the water, and the Salmon is not listed. Release every salmon.
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.

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

Sayward, BC

About 1 hr from Campbell River, 3 hrs from Nanaimo

Fly shops

River SportsmanCampbell River

Camping: A few services in Sayward, and hotels and full services in Campbell River.

Logging roads off Highway 19 reach the upper river. Check for active hauling and road closures before you drive them.

Salmon River

British Columbia·Vancouver Island·50.30° N, 125.88° W

Log an outing

Steelhead & salmon

Run	Months	Peak	Now
Winter steelhead	Dec–Apr	Feb–Mar	From Dec

Fishing: Good
Flow: 121m³/s; Steady · normal; Salmon River near Sayward
Water temp: 7.8°C; Salmon River near Sayward

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

121m³/s

Steady ·

Salmon River near Sayward

Water temp

7.8°C

Salmon River near Sayward

Normal range

47–178m³/s

Median 85 m³/s

Weather

11°C

Light Rain

See the full conditions on the Salmon 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 Salmon River

Species

Winter Steelhead
Primary · Dec-Apr (peak Feb-Mar) · 60-85 cm
Wild fish. Swing or nymph the runs and tailouts. Release every steelhead in the water.
Coho Salmon
Present · Oct-Nov · 50-70 cm
The salmon daily limit is zero. Release every coho.
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Present · Sep-Apr · 25-45 cm
Sea-run cutthroat in the lower river. Release wild trout.

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size
Winter Steelhead	Primary	Dec-Apr (peak Feb-Mar)	60-85 cm
Coho Salmon	Present	Oct-Nov	50-70 cm
Coastal Cutthroat Trout	Present	Sep-Apr	25-45 cm

Sections

2 reaches

White River to Sayward

Wade & FloatSteelhead · Salmon · Cutthroat

Below the White River the river widens on its way past the Sayward gauge to the estuary at Sayward. Long runs and gravel bars. A 10 km/h speed limit from the estuary to the White River.

Best for: Winter steelhead from December to April, and coho and sea-run cutthroat trout in the fall. Salmon go back: the daily limit is zero.

Kay Creek to the White River

WadeSteelhead · Rainbow Trout

The upper river, from Kay Creek, where the open water starts, past the Memekay confluence to the White River. Gravel runs and boulder pools reached from the logging roads. No powered boats.

Best for: Wild winter steelhead from December to April, in the runs and tailouts. Release every wild steelhead and wild trout.

At a glance

Ideal wading flow: 20–60 m³/s
Blow-out: >200 m³/s
Ideal water temp: 3–13°C

Best seasons

December to April for wild winter steelhead, best from February into April. Read the Sayward gauge: the river fishes best between about 20 and 60 m³/s, and over about 200 it is blown out.

Regulations

No fishing upstream of Kay Creek. Release all wild steelhead and wild trout. Bait ban and single barbless hook. No powered boats above the White River. Salmon may not be kept.

No fishing upstream of Kay Creek.
No powered boats upstream of the White River confluence, and a 10 km/h speed limit from the estuary to the White River.
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): the daily limit in Region 1 is zero unless DFO lists the water, and the Salmon is not listed. Release every salmon.
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

Sayward, BC

About 1 hr from Campbell River, 3 hrs from Nanaimo

Fly shops

River SportsmanCampbell River

Camping: A few services in Sayward, and hotels and full services in Campbell River.

Logging roads off Highway 19 reach the upper river. Check for active hauling and road closures before you drive them.

Fishing conditions

Good

PoorSlowFairGoodPrime

How we rate this

Wed

11/11

Thu

11/12

Fri

11/13

Sat

11/14

Sun

11/15

MmorningDmiddayEevening

poorprime

Today

morning7:30a – 11:16aGoodNew moon

midday11:16a – 3:01pGoodStrong wind, 32 km/h

evening3:01p – 6:47pPrimeFalling pressure

All day

Rain coming

Measured

8°C, ideal119 m³/s, running highFlow dropping into range

Flow

121m³/s

Steady ·

Salmon River near Sayward

Water temp

7.8°C

Salmon River near Sayward

Normal range

47–178m³/s

Median 85 m³/s

Weather

11°C

Light Rain

Salmon River

Steelhead & salmon

See the full conditions on the Salmon River

About Salmon River

Species

Sections

White River to Sayward

Kay Creek to the White River

Fishing reports

Read the fishing reports for the Salmon River

More in British Columbia

Vancouver Island

Campbell River

Cowichan River

Gold River

Stamp River

Other regions

Babine River

Bella Coola River

Bulkley River

Bull River

Cheakamus River

Chilliwack River

Salmon River

Steelhead & salmon

See the full conditions on the Salmon River

About Salmon River

Species

Sections

White River to Sayward

Kay Creek to the White River

Fishing reports

Read the fishing reports for the Salmon River

More in British Columbia

Vancouver Island

Campbell River

Cowichan River

Gold River

Stamp River

Other regions

Babine River

Bella Coola River

Bulkley River

Bull River

Cheakamus River

Chilliwack River

Fishing conditions

Fishing conditions