Captain Jason with a Campbell River Chinook

Month-by-month fishing calendar

Best Time to Fish Campbell River

The DFO rules, the fish and the weather for every month, with what our guides actually caught in 2026.

Short answer: if you want to take a Chinook home, come between July 15 and the end of September. August is the peak for Chinook. September adds fall Coho, larger fish you can keep (no maximum size from September 1) and far more open dates. If you just want to fish quiet water, winter Chinook run from mid-October to March.

Campbell River sits in DFO Management Area 13, at the south end of Discovery Passage. Our home waters run from Cape Mudge and the Quadra Island shoreline up to Seymour Narrows. The best month depends on two things more than any other: whether you can keep the fish (DFO sets this by date) and whether the fish are here (the runs). This calendar puts both together with real numbers from our own boats.

The catch figures come from 94 photo-verified guide reports our captains have filed since February 2026 (see the Salmon Catch Index). Winter and spring months have few trips, so read those numbers as a small sample.

Campbell River fishing calendar at a glance

Area 13 rules for the 2026 season (DFO notice FN0674). Rules can change in-season: check the current Area 13 limits before you go.

Month	Chinook (Area 13)	Coho	Our 2026 reports	High / daylight
January	Open, 2/day, min 62cm	Not a target	No reports yet	6°C · ~8.5 h
February	Open, 2/day, min 62cm	Not a target	2 trips · Chinook on 1 · Coho on 0 · best 15 lb	7°C · ~10 h
March	Open, 2/day, min 62cm (to March 31)	Not a target	1 trip · Chinook on 1 · Coho on 0 · best 10 lb	9°C · ~12 h
April	Catch & release only	Closed (non-retention)	No reports yet	13°C · ~13.5 h
May	Catch & release only	Closed (non-retention)	3 trips · Chinook on 3 · Coho on 0 · best 20 lb	16°C · ~15 h
June	Catch & release only	Hatchery Coho open June 1, 2/day (marked only)	12 trips · Chinook on 11 · Coho on 7 · best 24 lb	19°C · ~16 h
July	Retention opens July 15: 1/day, 62–80cm	Hatchery 2/day	25 trips · Chinook on 23 · Coho on 13 · best 30 lb	22°C · ~15.5 h
August	1/day, 62–80cm (slot limit)	Hatchery 2/day	30 trips · Chinook on 30 · Coho on 4 · best 34 lb	22°C · ~14 h
September	2/day, min 62cm, no max	2/day; 1 may be wild Sep 1–30	18 trips · Chinook on 17 · Coho on 5 · best 28 lb	18°C · ~12.5 h
October	2/day, min 62cm	Hatchery-marked only from Oct 1	2 trips · Chinook on 0 · Coho on 0 · best 15 lb	12°C · ~10.5 h
November	2/day, min 62cm	Not a target	1 trip · Chinook on 1 · Coho on 0 · best 16 lb	8°C · ~9 h
December	2/day, min 62cm	Not a target	No reports yet	5°C · ~8 h

Highs are typical daytime highs for Campbell River, rounded from Environment Canada climate normals. Daylight is sunrise to sunset mid-month. "Chinook on 30" means 30 trip reports included at least one Chinook.

Month by month: what to expect and which trip fits

January

Winter Chinook are local resident fish that stay in Discovery Passage to feed. Quiet water, few boats and a heated cabin on the Conquest. Fishing is weather-dependent, so keep a backup day.

Chinook: Open, 2/day, min 62cm. Coho: Not a target.

Trip fit: Conquest 9am–5pm full day or 9am–2pm half day (late sunrise).

February

Often the most settled winter month. Winter Chinook retention stays open through March 31, and the days get noticeably longer.

Chinook: Open, 2/day, min 62cm. Coho: Not a target.

Trip fit: Conquest 8am mornings.

March

Last month to keep a winter Chinook. From April 1 Chinook go to catch and release while DFO protects early-returning stocks.

Chinook: Open, 2/day, min 62cm (to March 31). Coho: Not a target.

Trip fit: Conquest 8am mornings.

April

The spring conservation closure begins. Good for anglers who want to learn the techniques and release fish. Book summer dates now: July and August fill first.

Chinook: Catch & release only. Coho: Closed (non-retention).

Trip fit: Prime-season times start Apr 1: 6am and 3pm Conquest, Montauk 6am / 11am / 4pm.

May

Bait fish build in Discovery Passage and Chinook follow them. Lingcod and rockfish open May 1, so a 5–8 hour trip can mix salmon release with bottom fishing.

Chinook: Catch & release only. Coho: Closed (non-retention).

Trip fit: Any trip, 6am or evening.

June

Coho open to hatchery-marked fish and Chinook numbers climb. Our guides logged Chinook on most June trips in 2026 despite the release-only rule.

Chinook: Catch & release only. Coho: Hatchery Coho open June 1, 2/day (marked only).

Trip fit: Any trip; long evenings make the 3pm–8pm Conquest trip a favourite.

July

Chinook retention reopens on July 15 and summer Chinook migrate through Discovery Passage. July 2026 was our best month for Coho in the reports.

Chinook: Retention opens July 15: 1/day, 62–80cm. Coho: Hatchery 2/day.

Trip fit: Book 3–6 months ahead; full days give the most time on the big-fish tides.

August

Peak Chinook month. Every one of our 30 August 2026 guide reports included Chinook, and the season's best fish (34 lb) came in August.

Chinook: 1/day, 62–80cm (slot limit). Coho: Hatchery 2/day.

Trip fit: Peak demand: book early; fleet charters for groups of 5–10.

September

The 80cm maximum drops off, so larger Chinook can be kept. Fall Coho arrive and the summer crowds are gone. Our pick for value.

Chinook: 2/day, min 62cm, no max. Coho: 2/day; 1 may be wild Sep 1–30.

Trip fit: Shoulder season: good availability, Montauk evenings run to Sep 15.

October

Fall Coho wind down and winter Chinook season starts mid-month. Bottom fishing closes October 1.

Chinook: 2/day, min 62cm. Coho: Hatchery-marked only from Oct 1.

Trip fit: From Oct 15 Conquest runs mornings only: 8am–1pm or 8am–4pm.

November

Wettest stretch of the year. Short, flexible bookings work best: we fish the good weather windows.

Chinook: 2/day, min 62cm. Coho: Not a target.

Trip fit: Conquest 8am mornings; Montauks need 10 hours' notice off-season.

December

Winter Chinook for locals and visitors over the holidays. Many guests use December to lock in next July and August.

Chinook: 2/day, min 62cm. Coho: Not a target.

Trip fit: Conquest 9am mornings; gift certificates for next summer.

The five fishing seasons in Campbell River

Winter Chinook · mid-Oct to Mar

Resident Chinook feeding in Discovery Passage. Retention 2/day, min 62cm, until March 31. Mornings only, 8am starts (9am Dec–Jan), heated cabin. See winter Chinook fishing.

Spring · Apr 1 to May 31

Chinook catch and release only; Coho closed. Lingcod and rockfish open May 1. The quietest time of year for bookings.

Early summer · Jun 1 to Jul 14

Hatchery Coho open (2/day, marked only). Chinook still release-only, but numbers build fast. Longest days of the year.

Peak · July 15 to Aug 31

Chinook retention 1/day between 62 and 80cm, plus Coho. Highest demand of the year; book well ahead.

Fall · Sep 1 to mid-Oct

Chinook 2/day with no maximum size, and fall Coho (one wild Coho allowed in September). Fewer boats and better availability than summer.

Matching the trip to the month

Peak summer, serious anglers: Full day on the 27' Conquest ($1,680, up to 4 guests, 6am–2pm in summer). The extra hours cover more than one tide change.
Families and first-timers: the 4-hour introductory trip ($540) or 6-hour ($800) on a 17' Montauk with Captain Bruce, 2 guests.
Summer evenings: the 5-hour half day ($1,050) runs 3pm–8pm on the Conquest from April to mid-October.
Groups of 5–10: a fleet charter puts everyone on the water together, from $1,600.
October 15 to March 31: the Conquest runs mornings only, 8am–1pm or 8am–4pm (9am–2pm or 9am–5pm in December and January).

Compare every trip and price on the rates page. Before you go, every angler needs a BC tidal waters fishing licence. Check the tides and marine weather the week of your trip.

Check dates and book

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to fish Campbell River?

For keeping Chinook, mid-July through September. Retention opens July 15 (1/day, 62–80cm to Aug 31) and goes to 2/day with no maximum size from September 1. August is the peak for Chinook; September is the best mix of Chinook, fall Coho and open dates.

Can you fish Campbell River in winter?

Yes. Local resident "winter" Chinook feed in Discovery Passage from mid-October to March, and retention is open (2/day, min 62cm) until March 31. Off-season trips leave at 8am (9am in December and January) on the 27' Conquest, which has a heated cabin and washroom.

When is Coho season in Campbell River?

Coho are closed April 1 to May 31. Hatchery-marked Coho open June 1 at 2/day. In September you may keep one wild (unmarked) Coho within that limit; from October 1 it is hatchery-marked only. The best Coho months are July and September.

Why can't I keep Chinook in spring?

DFO sets a Chinook conservation closure from April 1 to July 14 in Area 13 to protect at-risk stocks moving through. You can still fish and release Chinook, and hatchery Coho open June 1.

How far ahead should I book?

Book 3–6 months ahead for July and August, especially for weekends or the 27' Conquest. September and June usually have dates 3–6 weeks out. Winter trips can be booked a few days ahead, weather permitting.

Which trip should I book for my month?

In winter, the Conquest half day ($1,050) or full day ($1,680) from 8am (9am in December and January). In summer, a full day gives the most time on the best tides. For a first trip or kids, the 4-hour introductory trip ($540) runs on a 17' Montauk with Captain Bruce. Groups of 5–10 can book a fleet charter from $1,600.

Reviewed by Captain Jason Storie — owner & lead guide, 26+ years fishing Campbell River waters. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

Pick your month, then pick your trip

Peak summer dates go first. Winter Chinook trips can be booked a few days out.

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