For serious anglers in British Columbia, one of the most sought-after winter catches is the steelhead. These large, elusive fish are genetically identical to rainbow trout but are anadromous, meaning that they live in the ocean and migrate upriver to spawn. Steelhead will often spend two to four months in a river before spawning, and this period presents some of your best opportunities to catch them. However, it should be noted that reeling in a winter steelhead is a considerable challenge. Not only are these fish in great shape, having just gorged themselves on food in the ocean, but they are also quite reluctant to take bait. Since steelhead enter a river to spawn and not to feed, they will only eat if the opportunity is just too good to pass up. This means you have to bring the bait to them. The traditional method of catching steelhead is float fishing with a centerpin rod and reel. Your bait should be on the bottom six inches of river – use a pencil lead weight to sink your line to the bottom. Steelhead have rightfully gained a reputation as “the fish of 1,000 casts,” so patience and determination are absolutely critical when targeting this trophy fish. Your only real guarantee for success is to spend a whole lot of time on the river. A good strategy is to move often, covering as much ground as possible. Try targeting slow, soft water around pools and back-eddies – since the steelhead are trying to conserve their energy for spawning, they will likely stick to calmer waters. Ultimately, steelhead fishing can be a real test of your love for the sport. Chances are good that during your first few days on the river you will leave cold, wet and empty handed. But that will only make the reward that much sweeter when you do reel in one of these prized fish! To help you get an idea of where to start looking for steelhead, we have put together a list of our top five winter steelhead fishing rivers in BC. Of course, this is just a general overview, and much of the fun of steelhead fishing comes from getting out there and finding your own personal steelhead hotspot! Dean River This remote and beautiful river is legendary for its strong steelhead population. Access to the river is difficult, requiring a boat or floatplane/chopper ride followed by a lengthy hike, but that keeps the fishing pressure very low and makes for an unforgettable wilderness experience. There are lodges in the area, specializing in steelhead fishing, for those willing to spend a few (or a bunch of) extra bucks. The Dean flows through towering mountains and thick untouched forest, emptying directly into the ocean. With plenty of boulders and long shallow sections, the Dean is perfect for fly-fishing and offers some of the best winter steelhead fishing opportunities anywhere in the world. Skeena River This Northern BC river and its many tributaries are world famous for their winter steelhead run. Set among towering snow-capped mountains and sprawling old-growth forests, the Skeena feeds the Bulkley, Kispiox and Copper Rivers, making your opportunities for winter steelhead fishing virtually endless along this massive river system. While all of the Skeena’s branches offer excellent fishing opportunities, the Kispiox, in particular, is known for its large-sized steelhead. During inclement weather, however, the Bulkley is your best bet, as it is least affected by rainfall – keeping an eye on the weather is a must in this temperamental northern climate. The cities of Hazelton, Terrace and Smithers offer all required amenities within a few hours’ drive of these rivers. Vedder River Conveniently located within an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Vancouver, this river’s most inviting feature is its easy access. Although this does result in heavy fishing pressure, an extensive stocking program keeps the steelhead population at a healthy level here. The river is actually divided into two parts, with the section below Chilliwack labeled as the Vedder River and the upstream section known as the Chilliwack River. The lower section is wider and slower, with plenty of pools where steelhead love to hang out. For beginner steelhead fishers, the Vedder is the perfect place to throw your first casts. Squamish River Like the Vedder, the Squamish River offers excellent winter steelhead fishing within an easy drive from the major urban center of Vancouver. Running through a deep, lush valley amid the breathtaking Coast Mountains, the Squamish River is a popular destination for those looking to escape the city and take in some nature – the winter steelhead fishery is just an added bonus. Although extensive logging along the river’s upper reaches has destabilized spawning grounds and negatively affected the steelhead population, spending a few days on the river will likely result with a nice catch. Anglers can also cast into one of the river’s many tributaries. Cowichan River This Vancouver Island river, in addition to steelhead, supports a healthy salmon population and is one of the few rivers in BC that offers brown trout, so your options for angling are plenty. This crystal clear river has plenty of shallow sections where steelhead success can be very high. A drift boat can give you a huge advantage on the Cowichan, and contacting a local fishing guide is worth considering if you have a bit of money to spare. To get the edge on BC’s top steelhead hotspots this winter, check out our Fishing Mapbooks, Backroad Mapbooks, and Backroad GPS Maps. With information on species, access, stocking and more, our full range of products cater to beginner and expert anglers alike. We hope we have inspired you to get out and enjoy some winter steelhead fishing – from all of us at Backroad Mapbooks, happy angling!
