Fishing in Victoria - Lakes to Visit

 Fishing around Victoria is a great activity to do, combining spectacular sightseeing plus wildlife viewing opportunities. And with our mild weather and plentiful waters, anglers can be kept busy any month of the year. From trout to bass there is plenty of fishing to be had. Here’s what you need to know about fishing in Victoria.

 Remember To Get a Fishing License

If you are over the age of 16 you must have id license to sport fish for any species of fish. It is important to note that there is a Freshwater Fishing license which is granted by the BC Government and valid in freshwater areas but not coastal waters, and a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence which is granted by the Federal Government for saltwater fishing.

Freshwater fishing licences can be purchased online or in Victoria in person at Island Outfitters. They are available from single days to annual licences that last all year (from April 1st through March 31st). Fees are based on residency and citizenship, so if you live elsewhere in Canada other than BC and are a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, you count as a “Non-Resident”, but if you don’t live in BC or Canada then you are classified as a “Non-Resident Alien”.

Prices are subject to change and do not include tax, but as of July 2023 an Eight Day license costs $39.56 for Non-Residents (or $54.96 for a Non-Resident Alien) or just a One Day license is $21.98 (same price for a Non-Resident Alien). You may get as many Day Licenses as needed. You also must purchase appropriate supplementary licences and stamps to fish for conservation species or on Classified Waters, so be sure to do your research.

When fishing you must carry your licence and government issued photo identification and if asked, produce them for inspection by a Conservation Officer, Fishery Officer, RCMP constable, Park Ranger, or an Officer under the Wildlife Act. You can present the license either on an unmodified paper copy printed on 8.5 by 11 paper, or an electronic copy on your phone or tablet. For more information see the Gov.bc.ca website.

To fish in coastal waters you’ll need a BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing licence. These are available in 1 day, 3 day, and 5 day licenses, with a 1 day license for a Canadian resident being just $5.66 as of June 2023, or $7.53 for a non-resident, which in this case means anyone not living in Canada. If you wish to catch and retain any species of salmon, a Salmon Conservation Stamp must be added to the license.

Your license must be in your possession while fishing or transporting catch, and must be immediately produced for inspection on request by a fishery officer, conservation officer or fishery guardian, along with all catch records. You can purchase a licence online, or at a few different shops around Victoria or in Victoria in person. For more information see the Canadian Government website.

Fishing Locations - Lakes

Now that the legal part is sorted, let’s focus on the actual fun part: where to fish in Victoria! As we have a mild climate, this provides for excellent year-round fishing. While there are tons of lakes throughout Vancouver Island, here are a few lakes that are nearby Salish where fish can be found for an easy fishing day out.

Matheson Lake

About 35 minutes away in Metchosin sits a picturesque lake set behind forested hills. Here there is not only a lake stocked with Rainbow Trout, but there are several kilometres of trails available to explore.

Langford Lake

Conveniently located in the heart of Langford, Langford Lake is not only popular with boaters, canoers, and kayakers, it’s a great fishing lake as it’s stocked with trout, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. It’s a user-friendly lake close to all the amenities that Langford has to offer making it an accessible area to go to.

Elk Lake

Located in Saanich, Elk Lake is one of the most popular lakes around and it’s not hard to see why. As a huge lake conjoined with Beaver Lake, there is always a buzz of activity around, from rowers to boaters to swimmers. For anglers it offers a multi-species fishery, which includes trout, bass, and carp.

Prospect Lake

Tucked away in Saanich, Prospect Lake is a convenient fishery, producing trout and bass. Most of the good fishing takes place along the shallow parts of the lake where structures such as docks, branches, weed beds and rocks are found. For best results, travel along the shoreline and cast your presentation to structures where fish generally hide.

Durrance Lake

One of three lakes within Mount Work Regional Park, Durrance Lake is the most accessible. Nestled in a valley carved between the shadow of Mount Work and the neighbouring Partridge Hills, it’s ringed with forested slopes. Just 20 minutes from Victoria this is a popular fly-fishing spot with a population of smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout.

Glen Lake

Another beautiful lake in Langford, Glen Lake is popular with the locals with several amenities all against a backdrop of giant willow and Douglas fir trees. Featuring a boardwalk on the southern shore, the most common species caught here are Rainbow Trout and Black Bullhead.

For most of these lakes, most of the time you can simply do shoreline fishing by casting and retrieving lures, making it a fairly simple endeavour. However if you don’t have a boat, but would like to fish on the open water and don’t want to deal with getting all the correct and necessary equipment, consider hiring a local fishing charter. They will be able to provide invaluable knowledge about the best fishing spots, techniques, and regulation, along with being an experienced guide so you can ensure your fishing trip is a success.

Victoria offers a diverse range of fishing experiences, and while we focused on freshwater lakes here there is no shortage of saltwater opportunities. For your angler journey make Salish your base for a comfortable stay, ensuring you are well-situated to explore the abundant fishing options and peaceful nature available.