Canary Rockfish
Canary rockfish are a deepwater bottom fish found along British Columbia's outer coast, from Vancouver Island to Dixon Entrance.
Bright orange and yellow, they're one of BC's most recognizable rockfish species and have historically drawn both commercial and recreational interest.
Their population was designated Threatened in Canada in 2007, making them a species anglers need to handle with care.
Scientific Name: Sebastes pinniger
Also known as Red snapper, fantail, canary, orange rockfish, rock cod
- Body is vivid orange mottled with yellow; three orange bands radiate from the eye — the key mark separating it from Yelloweye Rockfish.
- Unlike Yelloweye Rockfish, the eyes are not yellow, and a narrow grey lateral line runs the length of the body.
- Grows to 76 cm and up to 6.7 kg, though most fish encountered by anglers run 1–3 kg.
- Strong head spines typical of rockfish family; deeply notched tail fin.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to BC's outer coast — found off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, the west coast of Graham Island, and parts of Dixon Entrance.
- Schools over hard bottom: rocky pinnacles, boulders, and reef structure, typically in 73–270 m of water on the continental shelf.
- Also recorded in the Strait of Georgia and enclosed inlets, suggesting a wider inshore presence than offshore surveys alone capture.
- At night, schools move off structure and settle over sand or flat bottom — a daily vertical migration tied to light levels.
Key Locations
- West coast of Vancouver Island — the primary outer-coast habitat in BC, with rocky shelf structure throughout.
- Queen Charlotte Sound — documented canary rockfish grounds on the continental shelf.
- West coast of Graham Island (Haida Gwaii) and parts of Dixon Entrance — northern BC range limit.
- Strait of Georgia — recreational creel data confirms a meaningful inshore presence in enclosed waters and inlets.
- Bowie Seamount, ~150 km west of Haida Gwaii — an offshore observation site recorded in DFO survey data.
Specific Spots
- Rocky pinnacles and boulder fields on the continental shelf hold the densest daytime schools — structure creates current breaks that concentrate baitfish.
- Strong current areas over hard bottom are prime; canaries actively feed in current rather than hiding from it.
- When herring or other forage schools are present, fish will rise well off the bottom — don't assume they're always pinned to the reef.
- At night, fish scatter to adjacent sand flats, making structure edges the most productive transition zones.
Canary Rockfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Canary Rockfish?
Metal jigs and knife-style slabs in herring colours (silver, blue-green, chartreuse) worked vertically are the most effective presentation, they match the forage and get down fast in deep water.
When is the best time to fish for Canary Rockfish?
Summer and early fall are the primary recreational season on BC's outer coast, when weather allows access to offshore structure. Inshore Strait of Georgia fishing can extend the season, with fish present year-round in deeper channels and inlets.
How do you catch Canary Rockfish?
Most canary rockfish in BC are caught from boats over deep rocky structure, using vertical jigging or baited bottom rigs. Anglers targeting mixed rockfish species on the outer coast of Vancouver Island or in Queen Charlotte Sound will encounter them while working pinnacles and reef edges in 100–250 m of water.
What do Canary Rockfish eat?
Feeds primarily on forage fish, herring and anchovies are the main prey, so jigs, metal slabs, and soft-plastic swimbaits that imitate small baitfish are the go-to presentations.
Where do Canary Rockfish live?
Native to BC's outer coast, found off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, the west coast of Graham Island, and parts of Dixon Entrance. Schools over hard bottom: rocky pinnacles, boulders, and reef structure, typically in 73–270 m of water on the continental shelf.
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