Tug,

BC has had limited entry on the Dean River since the 1990s. But that is for non-residents. Any BC resident can go and fish there without the special permit. I've gone several times. You apply for the draw in March, giving 3 preferred start dates. If you get drawn, your permit is good for 8 consecutive days only, one trip per year. I went last summer, Aug. 8-15. It also costs $40/day over and above the BC non-resident license and special steelhead license. Kinda' spendy, but it's the helicopter flight to and from that makes it a special trip, cost wise.

BC also has some tight restrictions in the Skeena system, sections where non-residents can't fish on weekends, but not a strict limited entry. There are other special steelhead and trout rivers where non-residents must buy permits at $20 or $40/day, depending on the river.