San Juan River

San Juan River, chinook salmon

The San Juan is a slow-moving river flowing eastwards on southern Vancouver Island, emptying into Port San Juan at Port Renfrew.

Access to the San Juan is via Highway 14 to Port Renfrew and the Red Creek Main logging road.

The river is best entered at the bridge on the Harris Creek Main logging road, from where canoes and rafts can be launched to drift down the river with a take-out at Fairy Lake.

Note that there is no connection by Old Port Renfrew Road from Shawnigan Lake as the bridge is out at Williams Creek (great tip this!).

San Juan River, coho salmon

The summer steelhead run is good during June and early July, with winter steelhead running from February to April - best in mid February.

Large coho are caught in early winter (October and November), with chinook runs in fall. Cutthroat trout are present year-round in the lower reaches of the San Juan River.

Nearest Town: Port Renfrew

Nearest Lake: Fairy Lake

Nearest Park: Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

Additional Info: Camping facilities are available at the Fairy Lake Recreation site.