Hope sits at the point where the Coquihalla River meets the Fraser, and the water around that confluence is productive fishing water. The Fraser through here holds chinook, sockeye, pink, and coho salmon depending on the run, along with white sturgeon — a species that can exceed three metres in length and has been in this river since before the dinosaurs disappeared. Sturgeon fishing on the Fraser is catch-and-release only, but it is the kind of fishing that gets talked about for years.
Several local guide services run half-day and full-day trips out of Hope, which is the sensible approach for anyone unfamiliar with the river. The Fraser in this section is powerful and cold, and reading the water requires experience. For independent anglers, the gravel bars near the river mouth and below the Highway 1 bridge are accessible without a boat. Salmon runs typically peak from July through September, with timing varying by species. A BC freshwater fishing licence is required; non-residents need a separate licence.