Shinook

Salmon openings on Lower Mainland rivers (Vancouver, BC)

Chilliwack / Vedder River

OPEN FOR CHINOOK
Salmon boundary signs 100 m below Slesse Creek, downstream through Vedder Crossing and the canal to the Fraser (incl. Sumas River below Barrowtown Pump Station) · Region 2 freshwater · hatchery-supported system
Chinook Open.
Now–Aug 31: 1/day · Sep 1–Dec 31: 4/day, only 2 over 62 cm
Coho Closed.
Non-retention now · Sep 1–Dec 31: 4 hatchery-marked/day
Sockeye Closed.
No retention · Cultus Lake sockeye are endangered; avoid targeting
Chum Closed.
Not listed as open · closed unless announced
Pink
No run in 2026 (odd-year cycle)

Detail: the fishable Chilliwack / Vedder

The boundary described above, drawn to scale: open water in green, closed in red, with the landmarks the rules hinge on marked.

Detail map of the Chilliwack/Vedder River. The fishable reach, from the salmon boundary 100 metres below Slesse Creek downstream through Vedder Crossing and the Vedder Canal to the Fraser River, is OPEN (chinook). The Chilliwack River above the boundary is closed to salmon year-round. The Chilliwack River Hatchery sits upstream of the boundary.

⛔ Salmon boundary100 m below Slesse Ck · no salmon aboveBarrowtown Pump StnSumas open below hereVedder CrossingChilliwack R. HatcheryLower river & canal: OPEN (chinook)Upper river: OPEN (chinook)Above boundary: NO SALMONChilliwackFraser RiverSumas R.Cultus Lk.Slesse Ck.
1.0×
Open to chinook only (see limits) Closed to salmon: above the boundary, and the Sumas above Barrowtown Other waters (context) River gauge (tap for level and trend)

No salmon fishing above the boundary (signs 100 m below Slesse Creek), even when the river is open. The hatchery is above the line, so the fishable water ends below it. DFO Region 2

The Sumas River is part of this fishery below the Barrowtown Pump Station, with the same limits down to the Fraser. Above the pump station it is not listed in the entry, and unlisted Region 2 water is closed to salmon unless a notice opens it. DFO Region 2

Licence & gear

What you need on this water
BC freshwater licence (Region 2) + conservation surcharge stamp to retain salmon. Seasonal bait bans and gear restrictions apply on parts of the system; check the Region 2 table before you go. VERIFY
Buy online (WILD)Licence types & fees