Fishing Article, The Fraser River in British Columbia
Sturgeon  Steelhead  Coho  Chinook  Sockeye  Pink  Chum  Salmon

Cascade Fishing Adventures                                         Article: Fraser River

• Sturgeon Fishing
• Salmon Fishing
• Steelhead Fishing
• Trout Fishing
• Valley Report
• Fishing Seasons
• Our Boat
• Client Comments
• Cascade History
• City of Chilliwack
• Contact Cascade
• F.A.Q.
• Fish Identification
• Cascade Location
• Home
• Monthly Newsletter
• Article/Fraser River
• Article/Summers
• Article/Sturgeon Egg
• Article/Sturgeon Noosing
• Article/Great White
• Article/Taylor
• Article /More-Fraser River
• Cascade Partners
• Salmon Photos
• Sturgeon Photos
• Others Photos
• Steelhead Photos
• Our Policy
• Fraser Valley
• Accommodation

The Fraser River is British Columbia’s longest and largest river. Beginning as a trickle at Mount Robson near Jasper National Park, it tumbles northwest to Prince George where it swings abruptly southward to make its way to the Pacific Ocean. Before it does, the Fraser travels nearly 870 miles (1440 km.) and is joined by important fish bearing rivers like the Nechako, Chilcotin and Thompson Rivers. As it travels south, it begins to pick up speed and incredible volume. At French Bar Canyon it begins its journey into steep, high-sided canyon walls, swirling back-eddies and frothing white-water.

Especially significant is the point in the Fraser known as Hell’s Gate, a narrow canyon that funnels the water of the Fraser into huge waves and white water, making salmon migration a challenge. The salmon’s use of the fish ladders is critical here. Hell’s Gate, located 1 hour from here, can be viewed up close by taking the popular air tram to the bottom of the canyon. After Hell’s Gate, the river chews through solid rock canyon walls until it reaches Hope where the walls of the canyon subside and the meandering flood plain of the Fraser Valley begins. The rivers breaks into channels and travels at a steady even pace with easy, navigable water until it reaches its destination; the Georgia Strait and the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

In addition to world class sturgeon fishing, the Fraser offers excellent salmon fishing. Huge runs of sockeye travel migrate through here every summer, providing some of the fastest salmon action on the planet. Excellent runs of Chinook salmon ranging in size from 20 to 40 lbs. are available from June to August and provide an excellent opportunity to catch the largest of the 5 Pacific salmon.

On every odd numbered year, pink salmon travel right by our doorstep by the millions. In 1997, an estimated 18 - 20 million pink salmon migrated up the lower Fraser river providing an unbelievable fishery! The next pink salmon run will be starting in early September 2001.

During the summer and fall periods, most trips can be a combination for both sturgeon and salmon. With these 3 major salmon runs, which occur from June through September, and our excellent sturgeon fishery that starts in April and runs through to mid November, we are confident we can give you a first class fishing adventure.

For more on the Fraser River click here