Elk River fishing regulations
Elk River is a river or stream in Region 4 (Kootenay), management units 4-2, 4-23. Here is what the 2025–2027 synopsis says about it, and the regional rules that apply on top.
Rules for Elk River
Upstream of Elko Dam
- Bait ban, June 15-Oct 31
- Trout/char catch and release June 15-Oct 31: from Lower Elk Lake to Forsyth Cr, from Line Creek Bridge to CPR Bridge at Sparwood, from Hwy 3 bridge at Hosmer to the northern Hwy 3 bridge at Fernie, and from the bridge at Morrissey to Elko Dam
- All other parts: trout/char daily quota = 1 (none under 30 cm), June 15-Oct 31
- Bull trout catch and release
- Electric motor only - max 7.5 kW
- Class II water when open, including tributaries
Downstream of Elko Dam
- Trout/Char daily quota = 1 (no cutthroat under 30 cm, no bull trout under 75 cm) and bait ban, June 15-Oct 31
- Electric motor only - max 7.5 kW
- Class II water when open, including tributaries
Tributaries of Elk River
- No Fishing Sept 1-Oct 31
- Trout/char daily quota = 1 (none under 30 cm) and bait ban, June 15-Aug 31
- Bull trout catch and release
- EXCEPTIONS - SEE SEPARATE LISTINGS FOR: Abruzzi Cr., Alexander Cr. * upstream of the easternmost Hwy 3 bridge, Bighorn (Ram) Cr., Cadorna Cr., Fording R. downstream of Josephine Falls, Forsyth Cr. from Connor Lk. downstream 3 km, Line Cr. *, Grave Creek *, Michel Cr. *, Morrissey Cr. *, Wigwam River
- ALL tributaries (EXCEPT Coal Creek downstream of old MF&M Railway Bridge 7 km upstream of Elk River) are Class II waters when open
- Classified water (CW): a Classified Waters Licence is needed while it is classified (see this water's rows and page 7).
Region 4 quotas
Unless the rules above set a different quota for Elk River:
- Trout/char release: in streams from Nov 1-Mar 31 (see tables for additional dates or exceptions).
- Region 4 daily quotas: Trout/char: 5, but not more than 1 rainbow trout or cutthroat trout over 50 cm, 2 from streams, 1 bull trout (Dolly Varden) of any size.
- Bass: 0 quota, closed to fishing. Crayfish: 25. Kokanee: 15 (none from streams), no more than 5 over 30 cm. Northern pike, walleye, yellow perch: 0 quota, closed to fishing (see tables for exceptions). White sturgeon: closed to fishing (no exceptions). Whitefish: 15 (all species combined).
Other Region 4 rules for streams
- No Fishing: in any stream in Region 4 from Apr 1-June 14 (see tables for additional closed times or exceptions).
- Single barbless hook: must be used in all streams of Region 4, all year.
Know your fish
The rules here name these fish. Not sure what you caught?
More waters in the Kootenay
Kootenay Lake · Kootenay River · Columbia River · Upper Arrow Lake · Lower Arrow Lake · St. Mary River · St. Mary Lake · Moyie Lake