Many Species, All Kinds of Fun

Great Saltwater Fishing

Salmon fishing BC is world-class. Blackfish Lodge is in prime position to intercept the millions of migrating salmon that go through the bottleneck of British Columbia’s Inside Passage. Blackfish Lodge is situated to take full advantage of the presence of these fish.

Trolling is our method of choice and, year after year, our guests really appreciate how consistent our fishing remains. The area is also home to some excellent BC halibut fishing—some spots are within just a few minutes of the lodge. Our largest halibut topped out at 200 pounds!

When’s the best time to come salmon fishing in B.C.?

Best Time to Fish

When’s the best time to come salmon fishing in BC? Would you like to combine salmon and halibut fishing? Click here for a month-by-month description of our season.

Variety of Species

In addition to all types of Pacific salmon (chinook, coho, pink, sockeye, and chum), the area also produces large halibut, ling cod, snapper, and a variety of other saltwater species.

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Catch Limits

Equipment

Takeout Fish

The lodge’s maximum capacity is 4-6 adult guests

A Lodge guest scores big as Mom and Dad enjoy the moment

Catch Limits

Chinook salmon retention limits are managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in order to protect endangered Fraser River chinook salmon runs. These limits can sometimes change rapidly. Current limits are as follows:

April 16 – July 15: In certain limited areas, one chinook salmon per day, per person up to a total of two. Maximum size limit of 80 cm/31 inches. Catch and release, only, in other areas.

July 16 – August 15: Retention of one chinook salmon per day, per person is allowed up to a maximum size of 80 cm/31 inches. Each person is allowed to retain two chinook salmon, total.

August 16-August 31: Retention of one chinook salmon per day, per person is allowed, no maximum size limit. Each person is allowed to retain two chinook salmon, total.

September 1st and after: Retention of two chinook salmon per day, per person is allowed, no maximum size limit. Each person is allowed to retain four chinook salmon, total.

We encourage our guests to practice catch-and-release or, alternatively, only keep as many fish as you’ll need for food. Retention limits on other salmon species are unchanged. You can still retain two other salmon species per day, per person up to a total of four per person. These other four can be a combination of any other of the species. In order to protect some BC fish stocks, retention of wild coho has been limited, but for several years regulations have allowed for retention of one hatchery coho and one wild coho.

Currently, the halibut limit is one fish per guest if between 90 and 133 cm in length, or three halibut under 90 cm in length. Halibut over 133 cm in length must be released.

Equipment

Blackfish Lodge has one 21′ Grady-White and two 19′ open “Boston Whaler” type boats. Each boat is fully equipped with GPS, downrigger gear, depth sounders, and quiet, smokeless 4-cycle trolling motors. Personal floatation devices are provided for all guests.

The lodge has standard BC salmon fishing and halibut gear for all guests. Our typical setup is a 9’ mooching rod with a single action (a.k.a. “knucklebuster”) reel. However, if you have a favorite fishing setup, you’re welcome to bring it along. See the Things You Will Need section. All licenses, tackle, bait and fuel are included in our rates.

Halibut are a great catch throughout the season

Bringing Salmon Home?

Your catch will be cleaned, thoroughly washed, and freezer-stored to preserve optimal freshness.

Seattle: For guests departing to Seattle via floatplane, space limitations do not permit boxing your fish at the lodge. We do not have access to smoking or canning facilities nor do Fisheries and Oceans Canada allow us to do much in the way of preparation.

Seattle-bound, your fish will usually ride home in storage wells located in the floats of the airplane. Upon arrival in Seattle, there are fish boxes and ice packs for sale at the dock along with some folks who will assist you in packaging your fish for airline or surface transport to your home. If you’d like to have your fish processed in Seattle, we recommend that you drop your fish at the B & E Meats and Seafood Queen Anne store which is located midway between the Kenmore Air terminal and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. They can ship fish, domestically, to your home.

Vancouver: If traveling from Vancouver, via Port Hardy, we will pack your fish in boxes for your flights. Would you like your fish processed or smoked and sent to you? For guests traveling via Vancouver, at Vancouver Int’l Airport, you can drop your fish at the St. Jean’s Cannery and Smokehouse depot. Or, in Port Hardy, you can drop your fish off at Hardy Buoys. Both companies will ship fish to your home anywhere in N. America.

A fine father and son day

Mouth-watering fresh Coho filets

Below: A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins

Trip Advisor

What People are Saying

  • star rating  Scottie Jon and JC September 2024  - A return trip after fifteen years and the fishing, food and experience were still as fabulous as ever.
    For Chris - “Fricken Blackfish Lodge! Fricken Fishing, Fricken Amazing, you’d... read more

    avatar thumb Catherine G
    September 17, 2024

    star rating  Best Kept Secret Family Run Fishing Lodge in British Columbia  - Blackfish lodge is truly a family run fishing lodge with guides and staff that make you part of the family immediately. The food is unbelievable and prepared fresh daily... read more

    avatar thumb Patrick L
    August 1, 2024
  • star rating  Best Fly In Fish Lodge!  - Wow, wow, and wowza!!!
    Giant King Salmon, expert captained boats, phenomenal food, perfect accommodations, and the hosts were beyond great.
    That’s not mentioning the great wildlife you witness... read more

    avatar thumb Mike P
    July 1, 2024

    star rating  A little piece of heaven and a truly unforgettable experience  - An unforgettable once in a life-time off-grid experience. I highly recommend Blackfish Lodge BC to anyone that is looking for a 5-star fishing experience with an incredibly experienced family led... read more

    avatar thumb Sarah C
    August 1, 2023
  • star rating  Bucket list trip!  - Our journey to Blackfish lodge started with a fabulous sea plane flight from Port Hardy, the views are spectacular with a network of little islands and piercing blue water, we... read more

    avatar thumb Stevefurnitureman
    July 1, 2023

    star rating  Wonderful time at Blackfish Lodge!  - ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING! This is a must-do (and for us, a must-repeat) adventure. From the initial booking to departure from this wonderful floating lodge everything exceeded our expectations!... read more

    avatar thumb Rich P
    July 1, 2023
  • star rating  Fabulous Off the Grid Getaway in Gorgeous Surroundings  - Oh my goodness--what a wonderful time we had at Blackfish Lodge! Chris and Hannah are the most gracious hosts. In addition, Chris is a wonderful guide and a... read more

    avatar thumb Janet N
    July 1, 2023

    star rating  After a long pandemic absence, I was able to return to Blackfish. I've missed my annual visit and wanted to share it with my youngest brother. It was a great... read more

    Steve P
    August 11, 2022
  • star rating  This was my fishing trip to Canada with my son, and the experience was nothing short of amazing! Chris and Hannah, the owners of Blackfish Lodge, were some of... read more

    chriswK9297ZR
    July 25, 2022

    star rating  Fun family fishing trip. We had so much fun, My 7 year old grandson caught his 1st fish. He was pretty happy catching it was right off the dock.... read more

    13lauriew
    July 13, 2022
  • star rating  1st Fish 🙂  - Fun family fishing trip. We had so much fun, My 7 year old grandson caught his 1st fish. He was pretty happy catching it was right off the dock.... read more

    avatar thumb Laurie W
    July 1, 2022

    star rating  Amazing time and can't wait to go again!  - This was my fishing trip to Canada with my son, and the experience was nothing short of amazing! Chris and Hannah, the owners of Blackfish Lodge, were some of... read more

    avatar thumb Chris W
    July 1, 2022
  • star rating  My dad and I stayed at blackfish lodge for a week and had an amazing experience!

    Chris was really attentive to the list of things we wanted to accomplish... read more

    colleenrH4693RJ
    September 1, 2021

    star rating  Staff and fishing guides were absolutely wonderful. Food was excellent. This was a great family trip with teenagers. Wifi available but we were so busy enjoying the... read more

    676somers
    August 21, 2019
  • star rating  My wife and I wanted to take our two grown daughters and two oldest grandsons (ages 10 & 9 respectively) on a unique family vacation that would hopefully provide them... read more

    MT1
    August 17, 2019

    star rating  Chris and Hannah and their staff and guides made our stay a real pleasure, we particularly appreciated Chris's patience, kindness and expertise. A wonderful secluded location, delicious fresh meals, lovely... read more

    Michael W
    August 15, 2019

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