Campbell River Fishing Calendar
Know exactly when to book your trip. Our month-by-month guide shows you the best times to target each species in Campbell River waters.
Peak Season
July 15 - September — Chinook opens, plus Pink & Chum salmon runs
Groundfish Season
April - November — Lingcod, Halibut, and Rockfish open for retention
Coho Opens Sept 1
Coho open Sept 1 (1 wild + 1 hatchery). Sockeye non-retention. Check DFO for updates.
Monthly Fishing Guide
| Month | Chinook | Coho | Sockeye | Pink | Chum | Lingcod | Rockfish | Prawns | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January Winter | Good | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Winter Chinook only |
| February Winter | Good | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Winter Chinook only |
| March Early Spring | Good | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Winter Chinook - prawns & lingcod open April 1 |
| April Spring | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Peak! | Closed | Good | Lingcod & Halibut open April 1 |
| May Late Spring | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Peak! | Peak! | Fair | Rockfish opens May 1 - Bottom fishing peak |
| June Early Summer | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Great | Peak! | Closed | Bottom fishing - Chinook opens July 15 |
| July Peak Summer | Peak! | Closed | Closed | Good | Fair | Good | Peak! | Closed | Chinook opens July 15 - TYEE TIME! |
| August Peak Summer | Peak! | Closed | Closed | Peak! | Great | Good | Peak! | Closed | PEAK CHINOOK + Pink & Chum |
| September Early Fall | Great | Peak! | Closed | Great | Peak! | Great | Peak! | Closed | COHO OPENS Sept 1 + Chinook + Chum |
| October Fall | Good | Great | Closed | Fair | Great | Peak! | Peak! | Fair | Coho + Chinook + Chum + Lingcod |
| November Late Fall | Good | Good | Closed | Closed | Fair | Fair | Great | Great | Coho + Lingcod closes Nov 16 |
| December Winter | Good | Fair | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Good | Peak! | Winter Chinook + Coho + Prawning |
Species Spotlight
Chinook (King) Salmon
Opens July 15 | Peak: July - September
Campbell River is the "Salmon Capital of the World" for a reason — our Chinook fishing is legendary. Trophy fish over 30 lbs (called "Tyee") are caught throughout summer. Season opens July 15.
DFO Regulations (2025-2026)
- • Winter Chinook: Open Jan - March 31
- • Closed: April 1 - July 14 (non-retention)
- • Summer/Fall: Open July 15 - Dec 31
- • Limits: 1/day Jul-Aug (max 80cm), 2/day Sept-Dec
Coho (Silver) Salmon
Opens Sept 1 | 1 Wild + 1 Hatchery
Coho are the acrobats of salmon fishing — known for spectacular aerial displays when hooked. Retention opens September 1 with both wild and hatchery fish allowed.
DFO Regulations (2025-2026)
- • Opens: September 1
- • Limit: 2/day (1 wild + 1 hatchery)
- • Hatchery = Adipose fin clipped with healed scar
- • Size Range: 8-15 lbs typical
Chum (Dog) Salmon
Peak: September
Chum salmon are powerful fighters that provide excellent sport. They're the second-largest Pacific salmon species and run strong in fall months.
Best Times
- • Peak Run: August through October
- • Size Range: 8-15 lbs typical
- • DFO Status: Open year-round, 4/day limit
Lingcod
Peak: April - May, October
These toothy predators are a thrill to catch and delicious to eat. Lingcod season runs April 1 through November 15, with spring and fall being prime times.
Best Times
- • Season Opens: April 1 (closes Nov 16)
- • Spring Peak: April through May
- • DFO Limit: 3/day, min 65cm, 10/year
Planning Your Trip
Peak Salmon Season (July 15 - October)
Book 2-3 months in advance. Chinook opens July 15 (Tyee time!), Coho opens Sept 1 (1 wild + 1 hatchery), plus Pink and Chum runs. Sockeye non-retention.
Groundfish Season (April - November)
Lingcod opens April 1, Rockfish opens May 1, Halibut runs April-December. September-October offer excellent Chinook plus peak Lingcod fishing. Book 3-4 weeks ahead.
Winter Season (January - March)
Winter Chinook open through March 31. Prawns closed Jan 1 - Mar 31. Chinook closes April 1, reopens July 15. Lingcod closed for spawning. December offers prawning before Jan closure.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Now that you know the best times to fish, let's get you on the water!
