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Fish and fish habitat

Last updated on September 29, 2023

Freshwater habitats

A huge variety of fish and other aquatic animals live in B.C.’s freshwater habitats.

Fish and aquatic animals are an important part of B.C.’s healthy ecosystems. They provide food for humans and other animals and support the economy.

Learn more about fish and other aquatic animals and the habitats in which they live.

Habitat data tools and resources

Learn more about fish habitat data search and submission tools, digital base maps, and fish inventories:

The province is responsible for the management of freshwater fish habitat and the upland resources that can impact or alter their environment:

B.C. is home to nearly 70 different freshwater fish species, as well as more than a dozen introduced species that exhibit a range of unique characteristics and life histories:

On October 31, 2019, the First Nations Fisheries Council and the B.C. government signed a memorandum of agreement to address their shared goals of:

  • Healthy marine and freshwater species
  • Environments and ecosystems
  • Promoting their sustainable use

The memorandum of agreement was subsequently updated in 2023