Some Island rivers like the Salmon and Gold Rivers have steelhead runs that contain Vancouver Island has many lakes and rivers, and they all have Freshwater Fish.
Big Mouth Bass
Big Mouth Bass is a native fish species in eastern North America but is an invasive species in BC. They are becoming a major problem in lakes and rivers throughout the province. This fish is to blame for the declines and local extinctions of several small prey fish. Read More….
Brown Trout
The brown trout is closely related to the salmon with the same long, narrow, compressed body and long head. Torpedo shaped and meant for speed. A rounded snout and a pronounced hook develop on the lower jaw in mature males. Read More….
Crayfish
Crayfish have two pairs of sensory antennae and a pair of eyes on movable stalks. The appendages of the thorax include four pairs of walking legs which, as well as walking, are used to probe cracks and crevices between rocks looking for food. Crayfish also own one pair of claw-bearing legs, which extend in front of their body while moving. Read More….
Cutthroat Trout
The cutthroat has a short conical head with a somewhat pointed to rounded snout and a rather large mouth with well-developed teeth on both jaws. One of the main colour characteristics is two orange-to-red lines in the skin folds of each side of the lower jaw. Read More….
Dolly Varden
Often confused with trout, Dolly Varden is really a char. To tell a char from a trout, look at their spots, char have light spots on a dark body, while trout have dark spots on a light body. Dolly Varden usually spent a portion of their lives at sea, but some may choose to remain in freshwater if they have access to a large, productive lake or river. Read More….
Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater Mussels are quite sedentary and do not move very far during their adult lives. But these humble creatures can ascend waterfalls when they are newborns. The young attach to unwitting fish that carry them to new places in a watershed, over waterfalls, across lakes, and up and down rivers. They can live for more than 100 years. Read More….
Freshwater Perch
Perch grow slowly but can live for nine or 10 years. Freshwater perch can be found in many lakes on Vancouver Island. Dougan Lake on Southern Vancouver Island is loaded with these fish, if you stick your toes in, the little minnow perch will come right up and nibble on them. Read More….
Leeches
History portrays leeches as blood-sucking creatures with a lousy reputation. But if you trace their roots back to medieval times when leeches were used for medicinal purposes, a practice that is still in use today, you will see that they have not always been thought of as demon creatures. Read More….
Rainbow Trout
The Pacific Northwest region has an abundance of rainbow trout in its rivers and lakes. I have fished over most of the coast over the years and I find that the rainbow trout is by far the best fighter of them all. They like fast-running cold streams. Read More….
Small Mouth Bass
The Small Mouth Bass is a freshwater fish that is found in the lakes and rivers of southern Vancouver Island but is very uncommon on the North Island. They are quite pretty. These bass are warm-water fish species, usually found in rocky and sandy areas of lakes and rivers in moderately shallow water and near rocks shoals or submerged logs. Read More….
Steelhead Trout
The steelhead has the same general appearance as other rainbow trout, particularly when young. The adult has a streamlined, torpedo-like body shape. When fresh from the sea, they are usually very bright silver. As they approach spawning a pink to red lateral line appears that extends over the gill covers then gradually they darken to a dull grey or brown. Read More….
Most good fishing areas have campsites that are available, some are full campgrounds with fire pits, tables, and boat launches, and others can be very rustic. But camping is fun at any of them.
Vancouver Island has many lakes and rivers, and they all have Freshwater Fish. Some like Cameron Lake have lunkers that can reach 7 kilos in weight
Some like Cameron Lake have lunkers that can reach 7 kilos in weight. that can weigh as much as 16 kilos. The Cowichan River has brown trout that can reach up to 6 kilos. Most of the rivers and lakes have Vancouver Island has many lakes and rivers, and they all have Freshwater Fish. Some like Cameron Lake have lunkers that can reach 7 kilos in weight. in the range of 30 to 40 cm in length. So grab your rod, put on your boots, and try your luck, the fresh air will do you good.