The Best Fishing Spots in Parksville, BC

It’s easy to take advantage of the many great fishing spots in Parksville – including deep sea fishing, due to its coastal location. For those looking for a peaceful day spent fishing, here are a few of Parksville’s best spots.

<p>Parksville&rsquo;s coastal location makes it an ideal destination for keen anglers looking for great land and sea fishing. While Parksville, BC is known primarily for beachcombing and sandcastle building due to its beachfront that can be a kilometre-wide during low tide, it&rsquo;s also known for having great fishing spots. Those looking for a peaceful day on the lake can head to one of Parksville&rsquo;s many local lakes filled with trout and other fish, or to make the most of Parksville&rsquo;s coastal location, join a local outfitter to seek out some deep-sea fishing for salmon, crab or shrimp.<br>While there are plenty of great fishing spots in Parksville, here are a few of our favourites:<br>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Cameron Lake</h3>

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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWNYkoPl_On/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gone fishin</a></p>

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<p>Cameron Lake is framed by spectacular Mount Arrowsmith and Mount Wesley and bordered by Macmillan Provincial Park and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. This stunning fishing spot is a Vancouver Island gem.<br>Stocked with rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout, this beautiful lake is a fantastic fishing spot. At the west end of Cameron Lake is Beaufort Picnic Site, where you will find picnic tables located beside the beach.<br>Additionally, a wind funnel created by the surrounding mountains makes Cameron Lake a phenomenal spot for windsurfing! Strong winds blow in the afternoon, enticing windsurfers to jump on their boards.<br><strong>Location</strong><br>Drive towards Port Alberni on Highway #4. The Cameron Lake day-use area is located 23 km west of Parksville, while the Beaufort Day-Use area is 25 km from Parksville.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Englishman River</h3>

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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVBqX0iFhNL/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The lone fly fisherman on the Englishman River. #flyfishing #fishing #salmon #trout #troutfishing #salmonfishing #streamfishing #tourismparksville #tourismvancouverisland #weatherchannel #weathernetwork #bcfishing #vancouverisland #englishmanriver #castaline</a></p>

<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center;">A post shared by My Lens My World (@ianphyper) on Jun 6, 2017 at 10:05pm PDT</p>

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<p>Pools of pink salmon can be spotted along Englishman River, often when the water is low. The river is also home to cutthroat trout, coho, winter steelhead, and summer chinook. In fact, the Englishman River was once a renowned steelhead fishing spot, before many of the river&rsquo;s runs collapsed.<br>The lower part of Englishman River runs very slow and can be easily accessed from city limits. Just outside of the city, the Upper River has some great fly fishing runs and is immersed in beautiful scenery.<br>All anglers should note that the Englishman River is a catch-and-release single hook waterway.<br><strong>Location</strong><br>The lower part of Englishman River can be easily accessed from city limits. It runs parallel to Plummer Road, just off of Highway 19A. Anywhere along the river where a pullout is located is suitable for stopping and parking, though pay attention to road/parking signs. The Upper River can be accessed in Englishman River Regional Park.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Deep Sea Fishing in Parksville</h3>

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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BU-3v8XHSEs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Had a great time fishing with this girl and her man! ? ☀️️ . . . #oceanfishing #fishing #womenwhofish #summer #explorebc #explorevi #getoutdoors #sharevi #pnw #winterspring #springsalmon #salmon #salmonfishing #frenchcreek #parksville #vancouverisland #vanisle #enjoylife #boating #enjoyadventure #adventureisoutthere</a></p>

<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center;">A post shared by Sarah Campbell (Ryvers) (@sarah.a.camp) on Jun 5, 2017 at 8:04pm PDT</p>

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<p>Just outside of Parksville at French Creek you can find a bustling marina with fresh seafood sales and charter companies offering sightseeing and fishing trips.<br>Sightseeing tours are a great way to get the kids used to travelling on the sea &ndash; they travel nice and slow in calm waters and there&rsquo;s a good chance of pulling in some pots full of crab or shrimp. You&rsquo;re almost guaranteed to spot sea lions and otters, and maybe even an eagle or an orca pod.<br>If you are really looking to bring in a salmon, these local fishing tour companies have some secret spots where you&rsquo;d have the best chance of catching a big one. Should you catch a salmon, some can even help you arrange smoking, canning and packing of your catch for you to take home.<br><strong>Details</strong><br>Get more information about deep sea fishing charter operators <a href="http://www.visitparksvillequalicumbeach.com/directory-fishing-charters" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>PLANNING A TRIP TO PARKSVILLE?</h3>

<p>We have a lovely variety of <a href="../../../../../accommodation/parksville" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parksville accommodations</a> that are beachfront or tucked away in the pristine seaside forest. Call our highly knowledgeable Destination Experts at 1.877.902.1616 who can answer any questions you may have about fishing in Parksville, or our accommodations. They&rsquo;re available 7 days a week!</p>