Island Outfitters
Steve Webb with a nice halibut caught this past week.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was VERY SLOW again this past week. The weather, once again, has been a big factor in anglers not going out fishing. A few decent winter springs have been caught, but most are below the minimum size for retention. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting the big flatfish.
Please note that there are salmon and other fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC’s tidal waters. For the latest details on openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or B) Visit DFO web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc
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SOOKE – The salmon fishing was VERY SLOW this past week. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now and few keepers.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was VERY SLOW for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers are now concentrating their efforts inside the bay. There were a few winter springs caught, just not too many and most are too small to keep. Four halibut were brought into the marina on the weekend.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Winter springs up to 7 lbs were being caught inside the bay, along with lots of little ones. The anglers are fishing right on the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom. There are a lot of shaker chinooks all around this area.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was VERY SLOW along the waterfront but a bit better out at Constance and Border Banks. Winter springs up to 5 lbs were caught this week on the bank. There were also a lot of smaller ones on the bank.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Some winter springs have been caught and they were too small for retention. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Sixteen year old Walker Grant caught a 50 pound halibut in Haro Strait in 150 feet of water on extra large herring and octopus.
SIDNEY - Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. There is a lot of bait around Coal Island and Sidney Spit, so there should be some fish there. Most of the winter springs are short of the minimum size for retention.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes. Many of the lakes are undergoing the fall turnover. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
COWICHAN RIVER - Recent rains caused the river to blow out peaking last Tuesday. The water level at the lake is over 1.8 meters and it’s over 1.5 meters near Duncan. Chum fishing in the lower river has been good. Effective until December 31, 2015 the daily limit for chum salmon is two (2) adults in the following portion of the Cowichan River: Downstream from the Mile 66 Trestle Bridge to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Anglers are reminded that coho retention (both adults and jacks) remains closed at this time. The Cowichan River is Open to Fly Fishing Only from the Weir in Cowichan Lake downstream to the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle).
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Vancouver Island Fish hatchery is winding down the fall stocking program of catchable rainbow trout. On November 16th, Spectacle Lake received 973 catchable trout, Shawnigan Lake received 1,563 catchable trout and Elk Lake received 1,000 catchable trout. The trout were averaging 219 grams in size. On November 6th, Spectacle Lake received 277 catchable rainbow trout averaging 200 grams. On November 4th, Prospect Lake received 700 catchable rainbow trout, Durrance Lake received 1,900 catchable rainbow trout, Glen Lake received 500 catchable rainbow trout and Elk Lake received 2,000 catchable rainbow trout averaging 231 grams. In total 60,850 trout have been stocked in lakes on the island this fall.
BASS - Bass fishing is VERY SLOW. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Speed up for winter springs! They are much more active feeders than the summer fish, and by trolling a little faster than you would in the summer you can cover more water and present your lure to more fish. And don’t forget to keep your bait close to the bottom too.