Qualicum River

River Vancouver Island Crown Land (Free)

About this spot

Qualicum River is a river located in the Vancouver Island 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 Qualicum River

Qualicum River is in fishing Region 1 (Vancouver Island). 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.

Qualicum River Copper Creek (COPPER CREEK) · MU 1-6, 6-12

No Fishing from tributaries Skidegate Lake to signs at second bridge 6 km upstream of tidal boundary, Feb 1-Apr 30
Bait single ban barbless Nov 1-Apr hook, 30; no cutthroat hooks greater trout than catch 15mm and release from point to shank
Class Exempt II from water July Sept 15-August 1-Apr 30; 31 summer Steelhead closure, Stamp accessible mandatory fishing Dec platform 1-Apr 30 is located at the hatchery

Qualicum River · MU 1-6

No Fishing downstream of boundary signs located approximately 100 m downstream of the hatchery counting fence
No Fishing from the upper hatchery weir (located 125 m downstream of the E&N Trestle) to boundary sign: located approximately 100 m downstream of the hatchery counting fence, Aug 15-Oct 15. Refer to page 6 for updated regulations related to non-tidal salmon
No Fishing tributaries
Single barbless hook, no hooks greater than 15 mm from point to shank
Exempt from July 15-Aug 31 summer closure, wheelchair accessible fishing platform is located at the hatchery

Region 1 daily quotas

Trout: 4, but not more than 1 over 50 cm (2 hatchery steelhead over 50 cm allowed) and 2 from streams (must be hatchery). Release all wild steelhead, all wild trout from streams and all char, Dolly Varden included.
Bass: unlimited
Crayfish: 25
Kokanee: 5 (none from streams)

All Region 1 quotas, closed and aerated lakes →

Nearest snow station: Mount Arrowsmith (1,465 m, 21 km away), 33 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.