Fish

Learn about the kinds of fish in Surrey, how they are protected and where you might spot some.

Surrey has approximately 1,400 kilometres of urban watercourses that provide spawning and rearing habitats for 5 species of salmon and trout, a variety of wildlife, other freshwater fish populations local to British Columbia as well as other aquatic species.

In one season alone, more than 900 spawning Chum salmon were observed in Bear Creek in Bear Creek Park!

Watercourse Classification Map Categories

Watercourses are divided into 4 categories and are colour coded similar to a traffic signal in RED, YELLOW and GREEN to indicate if there is fish habitat present so that any maintenance work that may need to occur in the stream can happen at the right time of the year to prevent impacts.

  • Class A (RED): Inhabited by salmonoids year round or potentially inhabited year round
  • Class A(O) (RED dashed): Inhabited by salmonoids primarily during the over-wintering period or potentially inhabited during the over-wintering period with access enhancement
  • Class B (YELLOW): Significant food/nutrient value. No fish present.
  • Class C (GREEN): Insignificant food/nutrient value. No fish present.
     

Where to See Salmon in Surrey

Visit streams at the right time of the year in Surrey and you will see spawning salmon returning to their home streams during their long journey from the Pacific Ocean. View maps of each of the following areas:

Interested in learning more about protecting fish habitats in Surrey? Join one of our fish programs or work alongside us in the Salmon Habitat Restoration Program to restore their habitats.