Vancouver Island Fishing Report - Apr 1/18

Island Outfitters

SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was FAIR around the south Island, with most of the Chinooks running from 3-6 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend.

NEW COAST-WIDE HALIBUT REGULATIONS: Effective at 00:01 hours on April 1, 2018 fishing for halibut will be opened coast-wide until further notice.

  • Limits and sizes: The maximum length for Halibut is 115cm. The daily limit for Halibut is one (1).
  • The possession limit for Halibut is two (2), only one (1) of which may be over  83cm in length.
  • The annual limit is six (6) Halibut per license holder, as set out on the 2018/2019 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing License.

For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); B) Visit our 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

SOOKE – The salmon fishing has been SPOTTY over the last few weeks. Most of the fish are from 3-6 lbs in size, with the occasional larger one. The best location to fish for winter springs was from the Bluffs to Muir Creek. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water, but there are some at mid-water depths. There were very few halibut caught this past week.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR. Anglers have been having the most success on the top of the flood tide in Whirl Bay. It’s been slower inside the bay near the marina. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-140 depths. We haven’t heard of any salmon over 10 lbs here this past week.

PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. It’s been slower near the Green Can, but better at Whirl Bay. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water. The majority of the salmon have been from 3-6 lbs in size, but a couple of larger ones were caught. Peter Landsman caught the largest salmon of the week, an 18 lb spring, while trolling near Whirl Bay. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was FAIR off the waterfront this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. Most of the fish are still small, from 3-6 lbs in size, but some larger ones have been caught. It was best out at Constance Bank. In closer, there were springs from the Flagpole to Trial Island. In most locations the best depths to fish were 90-140 feet, but we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths. Fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week. Constance Bank and Border Bank produced a few, but not too many.  

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing is PICKING UP in Oak Bay. There are salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nice ones up to 16 lbs have been caught. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Fishing was SLOW for halibut.  

SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. We heard there were some keeper springs up to 14 lbs being caught near Coal Island, and in the Sidney channel, however, most of the salmon are smaller than that.

FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was PICKING UP in most lakes for trout and bass, and SLOWING DOWN in the rivers for steelhead.  

COWICHAN RIVER – The water level on the river is continuing to drop and is good for fishing. Near the lake it’s at 0.74 metres, and near Duncan it’s 0.68 metres. There are steelhead spawning in the river now, and we have heard of good fishing in the Riverbottom area. For steelhead, jigs and pink worms have been productive. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been FAIR due to the cold water temperature.  

TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and the water temperatures warming up. Rob Waldner caught an 8.5 lb rainbow while fly fishing at Langford Lake this past Saturday. That’s easily the largest one that we have heard of this past week and it takes over the top spot on our leader board contest.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is currently stocking catchable rainbow trout into southern Vancouver Island lakes. To find out about stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx    

BASS – Bass fishing is PICKING UP on the Island. Langford, Shawnigan, Prospect, 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 TIPS OF THE WEEK

All fishing and hunting licenses have expired and new ones are needed as of April 1st, so be sure to get your new licenses before your next trip outdoors. Both freshwater and saltwater licenses are available now online. Also, be sure to take some time to read and review the regulations before going out and accidentally getting into trouble.  

Don't forget about our Elk Lake Derby on April 14. $1000 for biggest Trout, $1000 for biggest Bass. And the grand prize draw is a Lowe 12 ft boat with a Yamaha 6 HP motor (you don't need to catch a fish – you just need a ticket).

Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.

http://fishingvictoria.com/

Connect with Island Outfitters on social media: facebook; instagram