Cold Hands, Big Fish: Winter Sturgeon Fishing on the Fraser

What changes when the water gets cold

We will start with the honest part. Cold water slows sturgeon down. They are not feeding with the urgency you see during the fall salmon runs, so the bites are gentler and the fishing rewards patience.

Our guides change their approach to match. In winter they use smaller baits and carry more variety than they do in the fall, because what works can change from one day to the next. It is a quieter, more deliberate kind of fishing, and plenty of anglers end up preferring it.

The fish gather in the deep holes

Here is the part that works in your favour. When the river cools, sturgeon move into the deeper holes and along their edges, and they tend to stack up there together.

That means the hard work is finding them, which is your guide's job. Once the boat is anchored over the right spot, you often do not have to move far to keep getting bites. In a February 2024 fishing report, our guiding partners at Great River Fishing Adventures said good numbers of fish between 3 and 8 feet had been the norm, with the chance of a giant always there.

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You get the river almost to yourself

There is very little fishing pressure on the Fraser in winter. On a fall weekend you will see other boats working the same stretch. In January you may go most of the day without seeing one.

What you will see is the valley in its winter coat. There is snow on Mount Cheam and mist sitting low on the water, and through January the bald eagles are still along the river.

A covered boat makes all the difference

Nobody is asking you to sit in the open for hours. Winter trips run in a comfortable covered jet boat, so you are out of the wind and the rain while you wait, with a hot drink in your hand and your eyes on the rod tips.

The Fraser also runs low at this time of year, which leaves gravel bars exposed or sitting just under the surface. It is not a season to explore the river on your own, and it is a very good season to be out with someone who knows every channel.

What to wear on a winter trip

Dress as if you will be standing still outside all day, because for parts of it you will be. Start with a warm base layer and add from there, and finish with a waterproof jacket and insulated boots. Gloves matter more than anything else, so bring a pair you can fish in and a dry spare.

It is worth checking the Agassiz forecast a day or two ahead.

The practical details

• Experience: none needed. Your guide supplies all of the gear and teaches you as you go.
• Licence: you buy this yourself before the trip. Our fishing team tells you which one you need when you book, and you get it online from the province.
• Catch and release: sturgeon are a protected species, so every fish goes back in the river.
• Lunch: bring your own, or we can pack a bagged lunch for $40 per person.
• Cost: we quote each trip based on your group and the length of the day. A tip for your guide is customary, and the industry standard is 18%.

No guide can promise you a fish in any season, and winter asks for more patience than fall does. What it gives back is a quiet river and fish that are gathered in one place.

Warm up at the lodge afterward

A cold day on the river is the best possible setup for a hot tub. Some of our places to stay have a private one, including the Bison Hot Tub Suites, the Homestead Chalet, the Outpost and the Hillside. If your room doesn’t have its own, every guest has access to our communal sauna, which is the perfect way to warm up after a day outside. You can see all our options on our accommodations page.

Winter is also a quieter time at the lodge, and our offers page lists the current deals on stays.

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Book a winter sturgeon trip

If you have only ever thought about the Fraser in summer, this is a good year to see the other side of it. Tell us your dates and the size of your group, and our fishing team will put together a quote.

You can send us a fishing inquiry or call us at (604) 796-1210. There is more about the fish and the trips on our sturgeon fishing page.

About Fraser River Lodge

Fraser River Lodge is an Indigenous-owned lodge in Agassiz, BC, under Cheam First Nation ownership. It sits on 18 acres with bison on the property and views of Mount Cheam and the Fraser River. The lodge hosts guided fishing trips, overnight stays, weddings and corporate retreats.

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