Mission’s sturgeon fishery is one-of-a-kind, and local fishing guides can give even seasoned anglers a new experience.
The Fraser is considered one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world today, and in any given year 15 to 30 million salmon will pass Mission. When salmon are migrating, fishermen line sand bars on a sunny weekend enjoying the outdoor experience.
Mission has been labelled the Sturgeon Capital of the World for good reason. During spring, summer and fall, you can stand on the dike from Harbour Park to Dewdney Slough and watch anglers catch monster sturgeon. Although late summer through to early winter is best for fishing, sturgeon can be caught year-round if you learn a little about feeding patterns and migration routes.
During summer months there are plenty of salmon to fish for including sockeye and chinook. Although you can fish near Mission for salmon, the best spots are up-river from the mouth of the Sumas River and further east towards Hope. Gravel bars located along the river banks are the best location, so all you need to do is find access routes to these areas.
You can find good information at the Mission Chamber of Commerce.
Salmon migrations begin in the Fraser River as early as April. Although the good fishing doesn’t really get going until mid-July, you can catch salmon on the Fraser just about year-round. Some of the best fishing is between mid-July to mid-November. You can target all five species of salmon using many methods. Anglers from around the world now consider the Fraser River one of the top angling destinations in the world, so Mission residents are fortunate to have this world-class fishery in their backyards.
Chinook salmon,
July 15 to Oct 15
Chinook are the largest salmon, tipping the scales at 50 pounds and more, and they run every year.
They have two runs, one in July that lasts until August, and a fall run that goes from September until November.
Most local anglers and guides fish for chinook between Mission and Chilliwack, although you can catch them all the way up to Hope and beyond.