B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is an annual celebration of fishing that occurs the third weekend of June every year. This is a great chance to get together with family and friends and try fishing!
Right through the third weekend in June (including the immediately preceding Friday), our provincial government waives the requirement for residents of Canada – individuals who have lived in Canada for the preceding 12 months – to buy or carry a non-tidal (freshwater) basic fishing licence.
There are some exceptions. If you plan to fish :
then you are still required to purchase the appropriate licence(s) and stamp(s).
Anglers must always adhere to catch quotas and regulations. To know where you can go fishing, and which fish species you can catch, make sure you have read and understood the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis.
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which manages fishing in tidal waters, also offers the opportunity to go saltwater fishing for free. From June 13 to 15 only, if you’re fishing in Canadian Pacific tidal waters for any species other than salmon, halibut or lingcod, you don’t need a licence to fish. If you are fishing for salmon, halibut or lingcod, get a free 3 day BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence, valid from June 13 to 15 only.
During B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend, free fishing events for anglers and families are held throughout the province. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand at most events to teach tricks of the trade.
| North Vancouver |
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| Event: Rice Lake Family Fishing Day Location: Rice Lake, Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, 4900 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver Time/ Date: June 14, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: Seymour Salmonid Society Details: Our annual Family Fishing day event is operated annually on Fathers Day at Rice Lake. We are most grateful for the ongoing support for this event by Metro-Vancouver (https://metrovancouver.org/), along with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (https://www.gofishbc.com/bc-family-fishing-weekend/) as part of events across British Columbia. Our Rice Lake event is attended by local community groups, a food truck, a local band, and provide hundreds of kids the opportunity to learn how to fish. We also have community events tent and Gently Down the Seymour (GDS) education tent available for visitors, along with other community organizations such as Go Fish BC, the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF), the Black Bear Society among other attendees. Try your luck at catching rainbow trout at Rice Lake using fishing gear we provide to you on the day. Enjoy the exhibits, other festivities and a food truck! Come check out the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) Open House booth to learn about the projects, programs and upgrades happening in the watershed. This is a FREE event, no registration required, fishing gear provided! Contact: [email protected] |
| Coquitlam |
| Coming Soon |
| Abbotsford |
| Coming Soon |
| Chilliwack |
| Event: Lion’s Cultus Lake Fishing Day Location: Main Beach, Cultus Lake Time/ Date: June 14, 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Eastern Fraser Valley Lions Club Details: Registration is available at Fred’s Custom Tackle in Chilliwack and Abbotsford or at Cultus Lake Main Beach on the day of the event starting at 5:00 AM. This is a free event for everyone. All equipment is provided. Sign up will be through the Maple Ridge website! Contact: Ph. (604) 791-3320 |
| Maple Ridge |
| Event: Family Fishing Fun! Location: 27871 113th Avenue, Maple Ridge BC Time/ Date: June 14, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: City of Maple Ridge Details: Join us for a day of Family Fun learning some basics of fishing! Practice casting, learn about lures and baiting a hook and get a chance to get out on the dock and fish for yourself! All equipment is provided. Sign up will be through the Maple Ridge website! Contact: [email protected] |
| Ladysmith |
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| Event: Father’s Day Learn to Fish Location: Bush Creek Hatchery, Ladysmith Enter from the Ladysmith side to the Ladysmith main logging road and take the 1st right (red gat marked hatchery) about 2.5 km down a dirt road. Please watch your speed as this is also a walking trail. Time/ Date: June 14, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: Ladysmith Sportsmen’s Club Details: This is a free learn to fish event. There is a stocked pond to fish which will be open to fish from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday June 14th 2025. We have a free BBQ and prizes. Contact: [email protected] |
| Chemainus |
| Event: Chemainus Rod & Gun Club Annual Fishing Derby Location: Fuller Lake, Chemainus BC Time/ Date: June 15, 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Ladysmith Sportsmen’s Club Details: This is an annual event hosted by the Chemainus Rod & Gun Club. You can fish anywhere in the Chemainus River drainage. There will be hotdogs and beverages provided. Weigh in for fish will be at Fuller Lake at 1:00 pm. Contact: [email protected] |
| Cowichan |
| Event: Family Fishing Weekend Location: Mayo Lake, Mayo Lake Road Time/ Date: June 14, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Valley Fish and Game Club Details: Join us for Family Fishing at Mayo Lake! There will be free hot dogs, pop, chips, and prizes! Contact: Ph. (250) 749 4025 |
| Malahat |
| Coming Soon |
| Shawnigan Lake |
| Coming Soon |
| Gold River |
| Event: Gold River Rod & Gun Club Father’s Day Fishing Day Location: Star Lake, Ucona M/L Gold River Time/ Date: June 15, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Host: Gold River Rod and Gun Club Details: Come join us for at Star Lake for the annual Fishing Day for the lil ones! Fishing starts at 9:00 AM and goes until weigh-in at 12:00 PM. There will be a sign-up sheet on site. This is a free event with lunch provided. Bring your lil ones and let them enjoy the thrill of fishing for a whopper. Contact: (250) 203-7113 |
| Comox Lake |
| Event: Family Fishing Day 2025 Location: Courtenay & District F&GPA Property. 3780 Colake Rd. Comox Lake. Parking in lower lot of the clubhouse. Time/ Date: June 14, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, June 15, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Courtenay & District Fish & Game Protective Association Details: Courtenay & District F&G PA offers a stocked pond of rainbow trout. People can bring their own rods, bait and tackle and our association can also provide loaner rods. We also provide bait, help with netting and cleaning fish, and keep them bagged on ice. There will be a two fish limit per person. Thirty’s will provide a free hot dog lunch on the Sunday June 16th, Father’s Day. Contact: 250-334-4126 |
| Sunshine Coast |
| Event: Fish Release Festival Location: Chapman Creek Hatchery – 4381 Parkway Drive, Sechelt BC Time/ Date: May 17, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: Sunshine Coast Salmon Enhancement Society – Chapman Creek Hatchery Details: Come join us for the release of Coho salmon into Chapman Creek! Our outdoor festival for kids and the community alike will have fly tying, fly casting, demos from hatchery volunteers, and community booths. There will also be demonstrations in fishing and archery from the local Rod and Gun Club! Seating is limited so feel free to bring your camp chairs. Contact: (604) 885-4136 |
| Clinton |
| Event: Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsmen Association Family Fishing Day Location: Kelly Lake Time/ Date: June 15, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: CADOSA – Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsman Association Details: There will be prizes for kids, adults and boat captains! Contact: Ph. 604-218-6954 |
| Salmon Arm |
| Event: 26th Annual Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Day Location: The Wharf @ Marine Park, Salmon Arm Time/ Date: June 15, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Host: Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Day Details: The is a free event open to kids 12 years of age and under. Participants must wear a life jacket or PFD and be accompanied by an adult. Registration is on June 15 at the Wharf. Contact: 250-517-8087 |
| Merritt |
| Event: Father’s Day Family Fishing Event Location: West Pond, Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park, south of Aspen Grove Time/ Date: June 15, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club Details: Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club is holding a Father’s Day Family Fishing Event at the West Pond in the Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park. The event runs from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and snacks and drinks will be provided. Volunteers will be on hand to give instruction to new anglers and equipment will be supplied for all new anglers. Contact: 250-280-0304 |
| Williams Lake |
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| Coming Soon |
| Telkwa |
| Event: 3rd Annual Father’s Day Family Fishing Event Location: Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, Telkwa, BC, Second Beach, follow the signs Time/ Date: June 15, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Host: Michelle’s Tackle Box Details: Join us for a fun-filled day with free BBQ and ice cream, games, crafts, bingo, learn to fish, learn to fly fish, and much more! Fishing event is free- prizes for hidden size. Enter by family or individual & division by species of trout, pike minnow or burbot. Camping available at Tyhee Provincial Park. Contact: (780) 933-4676 |
| Kitimat |
| Event: Kitimat Rod & Gun Club Fishing Day Location: Kitimat Rod & Gun Club, 386 Haisla Blvd Time/ Date: June 15, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Kitimat Rod & Gun Club Details: Event starts at 10:00 am and runs until 2:00 pm with casting contests, archery, hatchery displays, and free hotdogs & hamburgers, pop, popcorn etc.! Contact: (250) 632-1598 |
| Clearwater |
| Coming Soon |
| Vanderhoof |
| Coming Soon |
| Nelson |
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| Coming Soon |
| Invermere |
| Event: LWDR&G Club Family Fishing Day 2025 Location: Lake Lilian, Invermere Date/ Time: June 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club Details: Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club has been hosting this event for 7-8 years now on behalf of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. We are very happy to support this event and have normally 8-10 members assist. We typically have had 45-60 people or more out to the event. Contact: Ph. 250-688-2504 | Email |
| Nakusp |
| Event: Coldwell Banker Rosling Real Estate Family Fishing Day Location: Nakusp Marina Date/ Time: June 14, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Host: Coldwell Banker Rosling Real Estate Details: We offer on hand informative fishing tips for the area to include a 1 hr radius. Provide fly tying and hook building ideas, sign in at Nakusp Marina or contact me personally at [email protected] or cell 250-265-1940 if you are fishing at other lakes or tributaries. Contact: Ph. 250-265-1940 | Email |
| Cranbrook |
| Event: Cranbrook Firefighters Annual Fishing Clinic Location: Idlewild Park, Cranbrook BC 3379 9th Street South, meetup @ Gazebo Date/ Time: June 15, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Cranbrook Firefighters Charitable Society Details: For over 40 years the Cranbrook Firefighters Association has been holding a Fishing Clinic at Idlewild Lake to encourage family unity and outdoor recreation in our community. Every year on Father’s Day we put on a Fishing Clinic for children/youth at Idlewild Lake. Contact: Ph. 250-426-2325 | Email |
| Revelstoke |
| Coming Soon |
| Creston |
| Coming Soon |
| Fruitvale |
| Coming Soon |
| Aspen Grove |
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| Coming Soon |
| Enderby |
| Event: Learn to Fish Location: Heritage Park Date/ Time: July 20, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Kingfisher Interpretive Centre Society Details: Join us for a Learn to Fish program and give your children a chance to catch a fish and enjoy a day outdoors learning about fishing and making life lasting memories. The event will be taking place at the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre on Sunday July 20th (located 25 km’s east of Enderby at 2550 Mabel Lake Rd). Local angling experts will be volunteering their time and knowledge to provide a firsthand fishing experience for todays’ youth. They will also be offering instruction on casting techniques, fish handling practices, fish identification, fly tying and more. This fun filled day will also include information on aquatic invasive species, salmon life-cycle, an interactive aquatic bug display, rock painting and more. Learn about what local fish eat and what flies could land the “big” one. The event is free and will run from 9:00-2:00. Lots of great prizes will be awarded throughout the day, so come early for more chances to win! If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre at (250) 838-0004. Contact: [email protected] |
| Peachland |
| Event: Father’s Day Off the Pier Fishing Location: Heritage Park Date/ Time: June 14, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Peachland Ambassador’s Details: This is a free fishing event to celebrate Father’s Day! We will be fishing right off the new pier in Peachland. There will be prizes, music, and food! Contact: Ph. (778) 479-2843 |
| Summerland |
| Event: Visitor’s Day & Kids Fishing Event Location: Lot 3777, KM 12, Bathville Rd, Summerland BC, Agur Lake. Participants can arrive and park then join the event at the picnic area located at the campground Date/ Time: June 8, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Host: Agur Lake Camp Society Details: This annual event at Agur Lake Camp in partnership with Summerland Sportsman’s Association and Freshwater Fisheries is a family favourite. Rain or shine, come out with your friends and family and enjoy a day of fishing and fun. Agur Lake Camp Society is a non profit organization that operates BC’s only wheelchair accessible, barrier free campground. Thanks to all the volunteers that help make this day a wonderful part of the Summerland Action Fest weekend. Contact: Ph. (250) 809-7130 |
We are always looking for more locations and willing communities that want to get involved in B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend. If your agency, club, or group is interested in hosting a community event that is free and open to the public, please fill out the Event Submission Form. Activities at past events have included family barbeques, fly-tying clinics, free rod and tackle loan, children’s fishing clinics, and stream clean-up projects. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC offers event support, supply of fishing equipment and giveaways, and promotion and marketing. If you have any questions about BC Family Fishing day, volunteering, or how to host an event, please contact us.
Thank you to all of the community volunteers, organizations, and local businesses that make each event possible.
The BC Family Fishing Weekend organizers are grateful to the generous sponsors and supporters that help make BC Family Fishing Weekend a success. We couldn’t do it without you!
Copyright © 2003 – 2025, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. All Rights Reserved.
