Although some lakes are home to only one species of fish, others may contain a dozen or more. Some Interior and Northern BC lakes have mixed, healthy stocks of Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Mountain Whitefish, Lake Whitefish and Burbot. The fall months herald the arrival of sea-run Steelhead, Sockeye, Chinook and Coho Salmon on their spawning runs.

Several lakes on southern Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island have mixed stocks of Rainbow and coastal Cutthroat Trout co-existing with Smallmouth Bass and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

During a typical year, spring trout fishing starts right after ice-out (May) with a flurry of fast action. As water temperatures warm, insect hatches begin and the fun never ends.