Stretching from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, the Fraser River is one of Canada’s most vital waterways, and home to an incredible variety of fish and freshwater creatures.
This mighty river supports everything from iconic salmon species to ancient sturgeon and vibrant populations of trout, char, and other aquatic life. Its rich biodiversity not only sustains local ecosystems but also plays a key role in Indigenous cultures and British Columbia’s economy.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or a curious angler, the Fraser River offers a fascinating glimpse into the life thriving beneath its surface.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online environmental and wildlife sources. Species distribution can vary depending on seasonal changes, water conditions, and conservation efforts.
1. Chinook (King) Salmon
One of the five Pacific salmon species found in the Fraser, Chinooks are prized for sport fishing thanks to their strength and size. These powerful swimmers can weigh over 30 kilograms and put up an exciting fight when hooked. Their meat is rich and flavourful, making them a favourite for both recreational and commercial fishers.
Chinook salmon begin their lives in freshwater tributaries, migrate to the ocean, and return years later to spawn in the same streams where they were born. This incredible journey is central to the Fraser River’s ecological importance.
2. Sockeye Salmon
Another of the five Pacific salmon species in the river system, sockeye are well known for their dramatic upstream migrations and are central to the river’s ecological and cultural importance. During spawning season, their bodies turn a brilliant red while their heads become green, creating a spectacular natural display.
Sockeye runs in the Fraser can number in the millions during peak years. Indigenous communities have relied on these fish for thousands of years, and they remain vital to local economies and traditions throughout British Columbia today.
3. Coho Salmon
The silver-coloured member of the Pacific salmon family, coho are also present in the Fraser River. They offer distinct fishing opportunities and are part of the migratory mix. Coho typically weigh between three and five kilograms, making them smaller than Chinook but still exciting to catch.
These fish prefer smaller streams and tributaries for spawning. Their populations have faced challenges in recent decades due to habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts now focus on protecting spawning grounds and ensuring healthy water flows in the tributaries they depend on.
4. Chum Salmon
Chum complete the five-species list of Pacific salmon in the Fraser system. They are noted for their abundance during certain runs and play a key role in the river’s fishery. Often called dog salmon because of the large teeth males develop during spawning, chum have a distinctive appearance.
Their flesh is lighter in colour than other salmon species. While they’re less popular with sport fishers, chum are important commercially and provide crucial nutrients to forest ecosystems when their bodies decompose after spawning. Bears and eagles rely heavily on these fish.
5. Pink Salmon
The smallest of the five Pacific salmon species present in the Fraser River, pink salmon appear in large numbers, often in alternating years, and add variety to the system. Males develop a dramatic hump on their backs during spawning, earning them the nickname humpback salmon.
Pink salmon have the shortest freshwater phase of all Pacific salmon. They migrate to sea soon after hatching and return to spawn after just two years. Their predictable odd-year and even-year cycles make population tracking easier for fisheries managers and researchers studying the Fraser ecosystem.
6. Rainbow Trout
Within the Fraser watershed you’ll find rainbow trout in many tributaries and cooler sections of the main river. These beautiful fish display a pink or red stripe along their sides, which becomes more vibrant during spawning season. They’re popular with fly fishers who appreciate their willingness to strike at artificial lures.
Rainbow trout can live their entire lives in freshwater, unlike their sea-run cousins called steelhead. They feed on insects, small fish and crustaceans. Stream habitat quality directly affects rainbow trout populations, making them good indicators of overall ecosystem health.
7. Cutthroat Trout
Named for the distinctive red or orange slash marks under their jaws, cutthroat trout inhabit many Fraser River tributaries. These markings look like cuts, giving the fish its memorable name. Cutthroat are closely related to rainbow trout but have unique characteristics that set them apart.
Some populations stay in freshwater streams their entire lives, while others migrate to lakes or even the ocean. Coastal cutthroat that venture to saltwater return to freshwater more frequently than salmon. They’re important predators in small streams, helping control populations of insects and smaller fish.
8. Bull Trout
Bull trout prefer cold, clean water and are found in upper Fraser tributaries where conditions meet their specific needs. These char species have a broad, flat head and can grow quite large, with some individuals exceeding 10 kilograms. Their colouring ranges from olive green to silvery depending on their environment.
Bull trout are sensitive to water temperature and habitat disturbance. They’ve disappeared from some streams where they once thrived. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining cold water flows and protecting spawning areas. Bull trout populations serve as indicators of pristine mountain stream conditions.
9. Suckers (Various Species)
Different sucker species inhabit quieter channels and side waters of the Fraser River. These bottom-dwelling fish have downward-facing mouths adapted for feeding on algae, detritus and small invertebrates. Longnose suckers, largescale suckers and white suckers all call the Fraser home.
Suckers play an important ecological role by processing organic matter and keeping river bottoms clean. They’re not typically sought after by sport fishers, but Indigenous peoples have traditionally used them as food. Some sucker species can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes in the right conditions.
10. Lamprey
Pacific lamprey are ancient, jawless fish that look more like eels than typical fish. They have round, sucker-like mouths filled with rows of small teeth. Lamprey spend part of their lives in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, and return to spawn in rivers like the Fraser.
During their ocean phase, lamprey attach to larger fish and feed on their blood and body fluids. While this sounds alarming, lamprey are a natural part of the ecosystem. Indigenous communities have long valued lamprey as an important traditional food. Their populations have declined significantly in recent decades.
11. Sculpins (Various Species)
Beyond the more sport-fishing names, there are many species of sculpin in the Fraser system, including torrent sculpin in the upper drainage. These small, bottom-dwelling fish have large heads and wing-like pectoral fins. They’re well adapted to life among rocks and fast currents.
Sculpins are important prey for larger fish and help control aquatic insect populations. Different species occupy different habitats throughout the watershed. While often overlooked, sculpins are indicators of healthy stream conditions. Their presence suggests good water quality and intact rocky habitat that many species need.
12. Threespine Stickleback
Threespine sticklebacks are tiny fish, rarely exceeding eight centimetres, but they’re remarkably adaptable. Named for the three sharp spines on their backs, these little fish can live in both freshwater and saltwater. They’re found in slower sections of the Fraser and in marshy areas along the river.
Male sticklebacks build elaborate nests and perform courtship dances to attract females. They’re incredibly territorial during breeding season despite their small size. Scientists study sticklebacks extensively because they evolve rapidly when colonizing new habitats. They’re also important food for larger fish and birds.
13. Kokanee Salmon
Kokanee are the landlocked form of sockeye salmon. They complete their entire life cycle in freshwater, typically in lakes connected to the Fraser River system. During spawning, kokanee turn the same brilliant red as their ocean-going relatives, creating spectacular displays in tributary streams.
These fish are smaller than ocean-run sockeye, usually measuring 25 to 35 centimetres. They feed on zooplankton and are an important food source for larger fish and wildlife. Kokanee populations exist in several lakes within the Fraser watershed. They face threats from habitat changes and competition with introduced species.
14. Freshwater Invertebrates And Crayfish
While not fish, freshwater invertebrates like crayfish are important residents of the Fraser River ecosystem. Signal crayfish are the most common species, recognizable by the white or blue markings on their claws. These crustaceans scavenge dead material and help keep the river bottom clean.
Crayfish also feed on aquatic plants, insects and small fish. They’re an important food source for many fish species, otters, herons and other wildlife. Some areas have concerns about invasive crayfish species competing with native populations. Crayfish burrow into riverbanks and play a role in shaping physical habitat.
