Fording River

River Kootenay Rockies Crown Land (Free)

About this spot

Fording River is a river located in the Kootenay Rockies area of British Columbia. This waterbody sits on British Columbia Crown land open to anglers holding a valid BC fishing licence. British Columbia's rivers and streams provide excellent fishing for Pacific salmon, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Location

Fish Species

No species reported for this spot yet.

Winter fishing on Fording River

Fording River is in fishing Region 4 (Kootenay). BC has no separate ice fishing season, so the regular rules apply through the ice: the 2025-2027 synopsis lists rules of its own for this water, shown below, on top of the regional quotas.

Fording River (downstream of Josephine Falls) (downstream of Josephine Falls) · MU 4-23

Trout/char catch and release, June 15-Mar 31 and bait ban, June 15-Oct 31
Class II water when open, including tributaries - Elk River classified licence required for non-resident anglers

Fording River (upstream of Josephine Falls) (upstream of Josephine Falls) · MU 4-23

No Fishing

Region 4 daily quotas

Trout/char: 5, but not more than 1 rainbow or cutthroat trout over 50 cm, 2 from streams and 1 bull trout (Dolly Varden) of any size.
Bass: 0 quota, closed to fishing (see tables for exceptions)
Burbot: 2
Crayfish: 25

All Region 4 quotas, closed and aerated lakes →

Nearest snow station: Thunder Creek (1,599 m, 42 km away), 0 cm on November 2.

Source: BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025-2027, matched to this water by name and management unit. Check in-season changes on the same page. No regulation makes ice safe: test it yourself. Ice fishing in BC guide.