The qayak or kayak was invented by northern peoples thousands of years ago for hunting and fishing. So it only makes sense that we’ve come full circle and are once again using these traditional craft to take part in our modern-day fisheries. Kayak fishing as a sport is still relatively new in British Columbia but given there’s over 25,000 kilometres of shoreline in the province and more than 40,000 islands, there are plenty of fishing spots to discover.
The benefits of kayak fishing in BC are numerous. Firstly, you can access all kinds of water with a kayak, from offshore fishing grounds to shallow bays and from tight eddies on remote rivers to small, secret ponds. In fact, the maneuverability and shallow draft of a kayak allows you to tuck into the tight spaces close to rocks and kelp that fish love. Secondly, purchasing a kayak and eating a banana is a lot cheaper than buying a motorboat and filling it with gasoline. Plus it’s easier to transport: no trailer or boat launch required!
Floating across the surface of the water, enjoying the sounds of nature, lost in the beautiful surroundings of rocky coastal shoreline or mountain-side forests is a unique and blissful experience in this modern age. And you don’t have to go it alone. Kayak fishing guides can be hired throughout British Columbia on coastal waters, freshwater rivers, or any of the 20,000 lakes in the province. Before you embark, be sure to check the government’s fishing regulation pages dedicated to both saltwater and freshwater fisheries and, if you’re 16 years of age or older, purchase a recreational fishing license.
Meet the experts, businesses, associations, and clubs that have a handle on all things related to kayak fishing.
I want to go kayak-fishing in
Kitimat Lodge offers exceptional fishing adventures in coastal British Columbia, including saltwater and freshwater fishing, kayaking, helicopter tours, and more.
Learn More
Quatsino Lodge in Vancouver Island offers top-notch fishing, kayaking, and hospitality in a remote setting.
Learn More
Experience kayak-fishing and more with West Coast Expeditions.
Learn More
The Cowichan Valley spans 3,500 square kilometres in southern Vancouver Island and is home to communities like Ladysmith, Duncan, and Chemainus. It’s a paddler’s paradise, offering everything from peaceful SUP sessions on Lake Cowichan and saltwater kayaking in the Saanich Inlet to adrenaline-pumping whitewater canoe runs on the Cowichan River. Off the water, the region serves up a feast of local flavours with its farmers markets, wineries, cideries, farm-to-table restaurants and some great brewpubs.
Located on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet means “people of the safe harbour” in the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ language. The small community of about 2,000 residents is nestled on an eight-kilometre-long peninsula that forms a natural barrier between the calm inner harbour and the open ocean. It’s the perfect launch point for beginner-friendly paddles and a fun town in which to enjoy aprés. If you only have three days, this paddling itinerary I enjoyed in Ucluelet is what I’d recommend.
The Kitimat River Meanders down from glaciers high up in the surrounding coastal mountains until it meets its estuary in the Douglas Channel. The Kitimat River is for paddlers of all levels and those kayakers who love fishing will love angling on the Kitimat River!
On a calm, windless day, Minette Bay is the perfect place to launch your stand up paddle board for a day on the water. This is Kitimat’s only waterfront nature park and is the easiest place to access Douglas Channel from the town.
The Douglas Channel is where the mountain meet the ocean! There are a limited number of take-out spots along the steep shorelines of the Douglas Channel, so be sure to plan appropriately with the weather and tides. Well-prepared paddlers will be greeted by awe-inspiring views, beautiful creeks, waterfalls and interesting rock formations along the way.
Ucluelet Harbour and Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island’s west coast offer paddlers calm, wildlife-rich waters and the breathtaking expanse of over 100 islands, including the Broken Group Islands. From serene shoreline paddling to exploring kelp forests and secluded coves, this area is a top destination for kayakers and paddleboarders seeking both peace and adventure.
Whether you’re drawn to swift water, calm exploration, or rugged backcountry nights, Kitimat offers a bit of everything. It’s untouched, wild, and waiting. Here’s a full itinerary of our trip to this undiscovered paddling paradise.
Only 30 minutes from the largest city on Canada’s West Coast, Vancouver’s North Shore is a magical area that boasts serene, secluded paddling.
Embark on a scenic 3-day paddling trip through the heart of the Kootenays, exploring the stunning waterways around Castlegar, British Columbia. This adventure blends gentle river currents, serene lakes, and breathtaking mountain views for a relaxing, yet immersive, outdoor experience.
The pristine waters of Slocan Lake serve as the gateway to Valhalla Provincial Park—a rugged wilderness aptly named after Viking heaven. Towering granite peaks rise from the shoreline, waterfalls cascade down steep forested slopes, and eight idyllic beach campsites dot the edge of the lake, offering the perfect launchpad for a multi-day paddling adventure or a scenic day trip.
Stretching over 100 km between the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains, Kootenay Lake offers paddlers an endless playground of crystal-clear water, secluded beaches, and dramatic mountain backdrops. Whether launching from the vibrant communities of Nelson, Kaslo, or Balfour, you’ll find calm bays perfect for a leisurely paddle, as well as long, open-water crossings for more experienced adventurers. Stop at remote coves only accessible by boat, explore hidden waterfalls along the shoreline, or follow in the wake of history past old steamboat landings. With its mix of sheltered inlets, island outcrops, and panoramic alpine views, Kootenay Lake is a paddler’s dream—equally suited to sunrise solitude or multi-day shoreline expeditions under starlit skies.
Experience the best of Nelson and Kootenay Lake on a three-day adventure filled with paddling, mountain views, and local flavour. From coffee at Oso Negro and shoreline paddles in Nelson, to soaring with Kokanee Mountain Zipline, ferry rides across the world’s longest free crossing, and hikes to the Pilot Bay Lighthouse, each day blends outdoor adventure with unforgettable dining—ending with a sunset meal at the historic Kaslo Hotel.
Vancouver’s North Shore blends coastal adventure with urban charm, offering a journey where paddlers, food lovers, and culture seekers all find connection.
Comox Valley offers an accessible yet unforgettable paddling experience — the perfect blend of convenience, community, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or new to paddling, the region’s protected waters and stunning scenery make it a must-paddle destination on Vancouver Island.
Kitimat is located at the mouth of the Kitimat River, where the glacier-fed waterway meets the 90-kilometre-long Douglas Channel. The area offers some of the best undiscovered fresh and saltwater adventures for…
Imagine standing on a paddle board watching a prehistoric river giant swimming underneath your SUP. The clear waters in the Columbia River near Castlegar, BC, allow paddlers the chance to see groups…
Here are 16 ways to slightly alter our paddling practices and improve our experiences at all of the wild places in BC.
