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Kootenay River fishing regulations

Kootenay River is a river or stream in Region 4 (Kootenay), management units 4-2, 4-21, 4-22, 4-24, 4-25, 4-35, 4-7, 4-8. Here is what the 2025–2027 synopsis says about it, and the regional rules that apply on top.

Classified water

Rules for Kootenay River

Downstream of Idaho border

• No Fishing from CPR Bridge near Creston downstream 2 km to navigation dolphin
• Downstream from the Idaho border to CPR Bridge near Creston and from Corra Linn Dam to the Columbia River: EXEMPT from Apr 1-June 14 closure AND from Nov 1-Mar 31 trout/char catch and release
• Burbot catch and release from Idaho border near Creston to Kootenay Lake, including tributaries to that part
• Walleye daily quota = 16 from the Brilliant Dam to the confluence with the Columbia River
• From the Brilliant Dam to the confluence with the Columbia River: northern pike and bass daily quota = unlimited

Synopsis page 37.

Upstream of Koocanusa Reservoir

• Bait ban all year
• Trout/char catch and release, Nov 1-Mar 31
• Burbot catch and release upstream of the Montana border
• Upstream of Koocanusa Reservoir to White River: EXEMPT from Apr 1-June 14 closure; trout/char daily quota = 1 (no trout under 30 cm and no bull trout under 75 cm), Apr 1-Oct 31
• Upstream of White River: trout/char daily quota = 1 (no trout under 30 cm and no bull trout under 75 cm), Jun 15-Oct 31
• Upstream of White River, including tributaries: Class II water when open

Synopsis page 37.

Region 4 quotas

Unless the rules above set a different quota for Kootenay 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?

From the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025-2027, data of October 29, 2026. Province-wide rules (licences, one line, barbless hooks in streams, bait rules) also apply. This page is a guide; the official regulations govern.

More waters in the Kootenay

Kootenay Lake · Columbia River · Upper Arrow Lake · Lower Arrow Lake · Elk River · St. Mary River · St. Mary Lake · Moyie Lake