Vedder River chilliwack steelhead

Steelhead Fishing on the Chilliwack/Vedder: December to April

The Vedder River (or Chilliwack River above Vedder Crossing) has over 30 kilometres of fishable water, from the upper boundary – located 100 metres below its confluence with Slesse Creek – to where it flows into the Fraser River downstream of Highway 1. A productive hatchery program offers anglers a chance to harvest hatchery-produced winter steelhead. Virtually all the fishing along the river is accessible via many trails and roadside pullouts

Winter steelhead fishing begins in December, shortly after the end of the fall salmon runs. It is a natural “next step” for river anglers who have cut their teeth on the salmon fishery. But the steelhead fishery has a very different look and feel. You typically encounter fewer anglers, and there is a sense of peacefulness that comes with walking and wading the often snow-dusted riverbanks nestled between the spectacular snow-capped mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley

You can fish for steelhead on the Chilliwack/Vedder well into spring. In April, additional area closures and restrictions kick in, before becoming limited to fly-fishing only in the lower reaches in May, and closing completely to fishing for the month of June

Float-fishing is the most popular method for steelhead on the Chilliwack/Vedder. The set-up is similar to what you see during the autumn salmon fishery. Use a single-action centrepin or a levelwind reel loaded with 12- to 15-pound-test monofilament mainline, matched with a three- to 3.75-metre (10- to 12-foot) rod.A 20- to 30-gram drift float balanced with sliding weights, and a short 45- to 60-centimetre (18- to 24-inch) eight- to 12-pound-test fluorocarbon leader will help keep your lures down in the strike zone. Common lures for steelhead include artificial baits like 10- to 15-centimetre (four- to six-inch) plastic worms or single plastic trout beads, as well as natural baits like cured salmon roe or prawns

Since many steelhead anglers will start fishing at the top of a run, and slowly work their way downstream, it is generally considered poor etiquette to start fishing immediately downstream of another angler. Either find a run you can have to yourself, or start upstream, giving plenty of space to other anglers. When in doubt, it never hurts to ask other anglers if they wouldn’t mind you joining them

Because winter steelhead are in relatively low abundance compared to the various salmon species encountered during the fall fishery, covering water by walking and wading is an effective strategy for locating them. Starting at the head of a run, fish from the inside current seam, and slowly work your way outwards as well as downstream towards the tail out. As there may only be one steelhead in the run you are fishing, your goal is to ensure your offering gets in front of that fish. Sooner or later your efforts will be rewarded with some dancing chrome at the end of your line

It’s worth noting that in 2021, the daily quota regulations for the Chilliwack/Vedder River changed from one hatchery steelhead to the default regional regulation of two hatchery steelhead per day. Any wild steelhead (identified by the presence of an adipose fin) should be kept in the water at all times, and then carefully released. In addition to your basic licence, a Steelhead Conservation Surcharge Stamp is required when fishing for steelhead. Each harvested hatchery steelhead must be recorded on the back of your licence. When you have caught and retained your daily quota of hatchery steelhead, you must stop fishing that water for the remainder of the day. Be sure to check for the most up-to-date regulations before heading out fishing.

Tight lines

Every winter on the Chilliwack River, also known as the Vedder, many anglers brave the cold to take part in the steelhead fishery. Among all steelhead streams in the Lower Mainland, this river is the most productive one. Between early December and late May, several thousand so-called steelies make their way into the Vedder. Like salmon, they spawn as they sexually mature in the river, but they usually survive from the spawning process and return to the ocean for another cycle.

Unlike the fall salmon fishery, steelhead fishing requires a bit more investment in time, patience and skills. This comprehensive guide is designed to assist those who would like to try out this fishery. This article covers regulations, techniques and general etiquettes that you should be aware of when targeting steelhead on the Chilliwack River

Beside steelhead, there are six other species that you might encounter while fishing on the Chilliwack River between December and May.

Species	Average size	Best fishing time
Steelhead	6 - 20lb	December - May
Rainbow trout	1 - 2lb	April - May
Coastal cutthroat trout	1 - 2lb	April - May
Bull trout	1 - 8lb	December - May
Mountain whitefish	1 - 2lb	December - May
Northern pikeminnow	1 - 4lb	April - May

General fishing regulations of the Chilliwack River and daily quota of each species can be found in the Region Two section of the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis. The most important points to remember are:

All wild steelhead, trout and char (those with an adipose fin) are required to be released with care.
You can keep one hatchery-marked steelhead on the Chilliwack River each day.
Once you keep a hatchery-marked steelhead, you must stop fishing for the day and mark your catch on your freshwater fishing licence.
Finally, these regulations can sometimes change during the season so it is important to reread the freshwater fishing regulation synopsis and look for in-season regulation changes before going out.

These rules may change at times, so It is important to check the regulations for changes and updates regularly. For fish that you have to release, please do so with care so their chance of surviving remains high

Steelhead in the Lower Mainland typically weigh between 5 and 15lb, but few fish up to 20lb are recorded each year from the Chilliwack River. As the name suggests, their body is bright silver with a blue metallic back when they first arrive from the ocean. Like a coho and chinook salmon, they have small black spots across their back. Their entire tail is also covered with spots. The similarities end there. Unlike salmon, their tail is not forked. Instead, it is known as a "square tail". As they start sexually maturing, pink colour emerges on the gill plates and along the lateral lines