Atlantic Salmon Lakes in British Columbia

Government fish surveys have recorded Atlantic salmon in 18 British Columbia lakes, 1% of the 2,671 lakes in this atlas with sport-fish records.

Lakes: 18
Median size: 2.41 km²
Latest record: 1999

Where it is found

Most of these lakes are in Fraser Valley (5), Cowichan Valley (4) and Alberni-Clayoquot (3).

In these lakes the sport fish most often recorded alongside it are rainbow trout (94%), cutthroat trout (78%), kokanee (67%) and Dolly Varden (61%).

Seasons, limits and sanctuaries vary by zone: check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations before you fish.

Lake with a full profileOther lake

Where Atlantic salmon is most consistently recorded

Ranked by the number of observation records, then by the most recent record.

#	Lake	Records	Last record	Area km²
1	Lakelse LakeKitimat-Stikine	4	1923	13.7
2	Sproat LakeAlberni-Clayoquot	3	1924	42.3
3	Great Central LakeAlberni-Clayoquot	2	1924	52.9
4	Bear LakeCowichan Valley	2	1923	0.16
5	Stave LakeFraser Valley	2	1919	56.3
6	Trout LakeFraser Valley	2	1917	0.12
7	May LakeAlberni-Clayoquot	1	1999	0.38
8	Lac la HacheCariboo	1	1921	18.4
9	Gates LakeSquamish-Lillooet	1	1921	0.66
10	Comox LakeComox Valley	1	1921	21.1
11	Silver LakeFraser Valley	1	1919	0.39
12	Deer LakeFraser Valley	1	1919	0.53
13	Beaver LakeCowichan Valley	1	1917	0.18
14	Mesachie LakeCowichan Valley	1	1917	0.58
15	Paul LakeThompson-Nicola	1	1917	2.67
16	Nanaimo LakesNanaimo	1	1905	2.14
17	Shawnigan LakeCowichan Valley	1	1905	5.45
18	Harrison LakeFraser Valley	1	1905	222

Top 18 of 18 lakes. Download the full list (CSV). Source: British Columbia’s Fisheries Information Summary System observations (OGL-BC). Data as of October 9, 2026. A record means a survey caught or observed the species, not that it is abundant today.

Atlantic Salmon Lakes in British Columbia

Where it is found

Where Atlantic salmon is most consistently recorded

Other fish in British Columbia