Nanaimo River fishing regulations
Nanaimo River is a river or stream in Region 1 (Vancouver Island), management unit 1-5. Here is what the 2025–2027 synopsis says about it, and the regional rules that apply on top.
Rules for Nanaimo River
- No Fishing July 15-Aug 31
- No Fishing from power line crossing at “Bore Hole” upstream to fishing boundary signs at the mouth of Boulder Creek
- No Fishing from the Cedar Road Bridge upstream to the Hwy 19 bridge, Sept 1-Oct 15
- No Fishing upstream of the Hwy 1 bridge *, Dec 1-May 31
- Artificial fly only upstream of the westernmost of the two Nanaimo Lakes, known locally as “Second” Lake, including tributaries
- Engine power restriction on parts - 7.5 kW (10 hp)
Region 1 quotas
Unless the rules above set a different quota for Nanaimo River:
- Region 1 daily quotas (excluding Haida Gwaii): Trout: 4, but not more than 1 over 50 cm (2 hatchery steelhead over 50 cm allowed), 2 from streams (must be hatchery). You must release all wild steelhead, all wild trout from streams, all char (includes Dolly Varden).
- Bass: unlimited. Crayfish: 25. Kokanee: 5 (none from streams). White sturgeon: catch and release only. Yellow perch: unlimited. (Haida Gwaii kokanee: 10, none from streams.)
Other Region 1 rules for streams
- Summer closure: No Fishing in any stream in Management Units 1-1 to 1-6 from July 15-Aug 31 (see water specific regulations table for exceptions).
- Single barbless hook: must be used in all streams of Region 1, all year.
- Bait ban: applies to all streams of Region 1, all year, with some important exceptions. Check the tables.
More waters in the Vancouver Island
Cowichan River · Cowichan Lake · Campbell River · Buttle Lake · Comox Lake · Stamp River · Sproat Lake · Great Central Lake