Whether it’s wrestling a monster chinook salmon or halibut into a boat off Sooke or hooking a bull trout on the Skagit River, fishing is one of the top summertime activities for tourists in B.C.
According to the most recent statistics, sport fishing generates close to $1 billion in revenue in B.C., said Owen Bird, executive director of the Sport Fishing Institute of BC.
The revenue comes from sales generated by tackle shops and marinas, fishing guides and lodges, hotel stays and charter flights.
While places like Campbell River are renowned for salmon fishing, it’s also an important tourism-sector business for Vancouver, where dozens of fishing guides and charter operators are based.
“That is quite a lively business in the Port of Vancouver,” Bird said.
The high season runs from May to September, and so far the fishing has been good, Bird said.
“Right now, right out of Vancouver, the fishing is excellent – like the best in many, many years,” he said.
That may come as a surprise, given that chinook – the top prize for sport fishermen in B.C. – have been in decline throughout the Pacific.
“There are some runs that are definitely having some challenges and maybe in some cases are even in critical shape,” Bird said. “However, there are also other runs on this coast and on the west coast of Vancouver Island that are doing exceptionally well.”
He said about 65% of anglers who charter fishing boats for salmon and halibut fishing are Canadians – many from Alberta.
“The other portion is Americans, Germans, that sort of thing, and they are typically engaging in the more all-inclusive type of packages. So the expenditures of that 35% are undoubtedly much more than the rest of the 65%.”
Of the $1 billion that the sport fishing sector generates, about $640 million comes from the tidal fishery, Bird said, and about $300 million is from freshwater fishing.
While many of the clients are regulars from Alberta, California and Washington who come year after year to fish for salmon or halibut, there are also travellers who don’t come here just to fish.
“You have those who recognize B.C. as a bucket-list destination, and they come fishing and then they also do a bunch of other things,” Bird said. “And then there are those who are dedicated. They’ve been here before and they are committed. Repeat business is a very important part of the lodge business.”
Visitors interested in either freshwater or tidal fishing can find dozens of charter operators and destinations using the trip finder at anglr.ca. •
