Upstream is on the right, downstream on the left, and the Vedder Canal runs north at the far end. The lower river is drawn wider than scale because that is where the drive-in access is — and where you asked to be.
Park at Peach Park. It is the most popular access on the river for a reason — easy parking, both banks fishable, good water — and it stayed open right through the sediment work. Vedder Park, just below the Crossing bridge, is the backup.
Above the Slesse Creek boundary
Slesse boundary down to Vedder Crossing
Vedder Crossing down to the canal
Described by local sources as one of the most popular spots on the river — “easy accessibility, parking and great fishing” — and fishable from both banks. The run above it is called Kurtains; below it the Camp and Grenade runs sit beside the army's testing ground.
Immediately below the Vedder Crossing bridge on the north side, by the water-gauge office. Good holding water right at the top of the lower river, and the first stop for fish moving up.
Down on the canal end. The No. 3 Road to Keith Wilson trail segment stays open through the works, and the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve sits about 500 m north of the main trail with its own lot.
As of the City’s 1 October update these are the only two lots closed, and both are good drive-in access worth knowing for later in the season:
Open again: Keith Wilson Bridge (fishable both sides, best under the bridge on the east; km 0 of the Rotary Trail), Bergman Rd (the run above the Train Bridge bar, both banks), Giesbrecht Dike, and Browne Rd, which came back this week.
No fall bait ban on the Chilliwack/Vedder — roe, single eggs and ghost shrimp are all in play from September. That is the opposite of the Capilano, which is bait-banned Aug 1 to Oct 31. Single barbless hook still applies: it is required in every Region 2 stream, all year.
Chinook, Sep 1 – Dec 31: 4/day, only 2 over 62 cm.
Coho, Sep 1 – Dec 31: 4 hatchery-marked per day — adipose clipped, or it goes back.
Chum: the Region 2 table lists no chum opening this season, so release them. This one moves year to year — confirm before you go.
Sockeye: non-retention. Release immediately and handle gently.
Not your problem in September, but worth knowing: Slesse to Tamihi Rapids Bridge is closed Apr 1 – Jun 30; Tamihi down to Vedder Crossing closed May 1 – Jun 30; below the Crossing it is fly fishing only with a bait ban in May, and closed entirely June 1 – 30. Hatchery rainbow 50 cm or less, 4/day, Jul 1 – Apr 30.
| When | What’s there | How it fishes |
|---|---|---|
| September | Chinook, building coho from mid-month | Chinook peak runs early September to mid-October, fish averaging 5–30 lb. Retention opened Sep 1. The in-stream sediment work ran through this month — colour and machinery in places. |
| October | Coho peak, chum arriving, chinook tailing off | The best month. Coho from mid-September to early November; chum from early October. The trails and all but two lots reopened on the 1st. |
| November | Coho tail, chum to mid-month | Still good, thinner crowds, and Lickman should be back by Nov 13. Chum are catch-and-release this season. |
| December | Salmon done, steelhead starting | Salmon retention runs to Dec 31 but the fishery is over well before that. |
| Jan – Feb | Winter steelhead | Hard, cold, low-percentage. For people who like that. |
| Mar – Apr | Steelhead peak | “Improves greatly in March and April.” Wild steelhead go back; the Chilliwack has its own trout rules, so read the synopsis line before keeping anything. |
| May – Jun | Closures | Fly-only with a bait ban below the Crossing in May, sections closed above, and the whole lower river shut June 1–30. |
| Jul – Aug | Red chinook, trout | Hatchery red springs and rainbows; cutthroat improve in the lower river through August. Chinook was 1/day until Aug 31. |