Salmon Season on Vancouver’s North Shore

It’s o-fish-ally Salmon Season on Vancouver’s North Shore!

Whether you’re casting out along the coastline or reeling in at any of our mountain rivers, the local waters are teeming with opportunities! Even if you’re not much of an angler, there are still plenty of ways to appreciate how salmon have contributed to the history, culture and lush ecosystem of the North Shore. It’s the perfect chance to learn like a local!

And it’s not just the nature seekers who are getting into the spirit of the occasion! North Shore chefs are also making the most of the season with incredible salmon dishes that complement the area’s unique bouquet of fresh flavours.

Before you head out, take the North Shore like a Local pledge for a quick primer on how to get the most out of your time here!

Capilano River Hatchery

Start your salmon tour right at the source! The Capilano River Hatchery offers a unique opportunity to observe salmon in their natural habitat as they make their journey upstream to spawn. Then take in the forested beauty of Capilano Regional Park as you explore educational displays and exhibits on the life cycle of salmon.

Coho Festival 2025

Now in its 46th year, this beloved event continues to highlight vital salmon conservation efforts on Vancouver’s North Shore. On Sept 7, drop by Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver for staged talks, information tents, a kids’ play area, live music, and a salmon barbeque lunch. Brave souls can take part in the annual Coho Swim, an open ocean swim that traces the migratory patterns of the Coho! It’s an incredible way to get a tactile sense of the journey that they’ve been taking for countless millennia. *Don’t worry about heading out into the open water, the route runs in a loop, so you’ll never be going out too far!

Salmon Fishing

Pull in your next meal with a salmon fishing charter from Sewell’s Marina! Embark on stunning tours of Howe Sound and the waters off Horseshoe Bay, where your knowledgeable and friendly guides will let you in on the insider spots where up to five different species of salmon can be found. The Sewell family has been guiding on these waters for 90 years, so you can trust they provide an exciting day on the water!

Salmon Spotting

Getting a first-hand glimpse of the returning salmon spawning in the wild is one of nature’s truly special moments! Start at Seymour River Heritage Park, where you can observe them right along the beachfront! To get there, you can follow the path by the Maplewood Farm parking lot, just behind the townhomes. You can get a similar view beside the aptly named Coho Loop hike in Capilano River Park. Two of the bridges in the area cross low over the river, where you’ll have a good chance of seeing the salmon on the move.

Salmon Dishes

Salmon has been a source of sustenance for the people of the North Shore since time immemorial. To this day, chefs have been exploring its unique, rich yet delicate flavour. Fishworks restaurant in Lower Lonsdale has been consistently named one of BC’s best seafood restaurants for each of its 13 years. Try the Salmon Tartare with hoisin aioli or the Salmon Wellington with pistachio pesto! PIER 7 Restaurant + Bar is a North Shore staple for not only their patio, but their amazing seafood menu, a must try is their cedar plank salmon. For more casual fare, check out Trolls Restaurant for their take on traditional fish n’ chips featuring local salmon.

Photo courtesy of @fishworkslonsdale

For more information on these and other events throughout Salmon Season visit vancouversnorhhsore.com. And before you visit, please take the North Shore Like a Local pledge where you can commit to protecting the land and water for generations to come.