Fishing Report | Chilliwack/Vedder River

Chilliwack/Vedder and Sumas River Fishing Report
November 3, 2026

The river remains low and clear following a relatively dry stretch. There’s some moisture in the forecast, but we’ll have to see how much difference it makes to water levels.

The Chinook run is coming to a close, and both coho and chum are slowing down. That doesn’t mean the season is over—there should still be some quality salmon around through the beginning of December. With fewer anglers on the river, it’s a good time to enjoy a little more room and a quieter day on the water.

Dawn and dusk have historically offered the best fishing, particularly in low, clear conditions. Approach the water carefully and be willing to move or change presentations when fish aren’t responding.

What’s Working

The gear selection hasn’t changed. Float-fished roe, soft plastic eggs, spoons, spinners and twitching jigs are all worth having along. Starting with roe early, switching to spoons or spinners, then trying soft eggs later in the day remains a useful approach. Let the fish tell you what’s working.

For chum, drifting a jig under a float is a good option. Keep it suspended above the fish to encourage a bite and help reduce foul hooking.

Fly anglers should continue to check the frog water—those slow, nearly still sections where coho like to hold. Coho Charmers, Coho Chew Toys, Neils, Punk Rock streamers and muddlers remain good choices. In moving water, egg patterns like the Eggie Bomber or Creeper fished under an indicator are another option.

Don’t Overlook Bull Trout

This is a great time of year to fish for bull trout as they take advantage of eggs and flesh from spawning salmon. Bring out the flesh flies, egg patterns and Atomic Bombers, and concentrate on getting a natural drift close to the bottom.

Gear anglers can also do well drifting jigs near the bottom. Bull trout are opportunistic feeders, looking for an easy meal bouncing along with the current.

Bull trout are catch-and-release only. Handle them carefully and keep them in the water while removing the hook.

Fishing the Sumas River

The Sumas is slowing down as fewer salmon move into the system. Its roughly 4 km boat-accessible stretch still offers water to explore, but expect fewer travelling fish than earlier in the season.

Casting and retrieving spinners and spoons, or fishing flies, remain the usual approaches. Where there’s enough flow to work the plugs properly, backtrolling Kwikfish is another option.

Access and River Etiquette

The previous trail and parking lot closures have lifted, opening up access again. Keep an eye out for any temporary signs around remaining restoration work.

The river is less crowded now, but the same courtesy applies: give other anglers room, communicate before stepping into a run, and work with those already fishing.

Be mindful of spawning fish and avoid walking through their redds—the spawning beds in the gravel.

Give Released Fish a Good Chance

Bring a landing net and identify your catch before deciding whether to keep it. Wild coho and bull trout must be released, and every fish you aren’t keeping deserves careful handling.

Keep fish in the water rather than dragging them onto rocks or sand. Wet your hands, support their body, and keep fingers away from their gills and eyes. Remove the hook gently, minimize handling, and allow the fish to recover facing into gentle current until it swims away under its own power.

Licences and Regulations

Chum retention remains open at two per day through November 30. Check current species limits, the combined daily salmon limit and any regulation changes before each outing.

If you plan to keep salmon, make sure your freshwater fishing licence includes the salmon conservation surcharge stamp. Licensing and regulation links are available through Fred’s fishing resources, or visit either our Abbotsford or Chilliwack store for help getting set up.

Fish With Us

Visiting the area or looking to learn more about fishing the CV? Join Fred’s guiding arm, River Titan Pro Anglers, for a guided walk-and-wade trip.