Island Outfitters
Take a Kid Fishing Derby
Take a Kid Fishing Derby
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The chinook fishing was FAIR around the south Island with most of them running from 3-18 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was FAIR 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 was GOOD on Saturday but a bit slower on Sunday. Most of the fish are from 3-8 lbs in size, with the occasional larger one to 11 lbs. The winter springs were spread out throughout the Sooke area. 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 a few halibut caught this past weekend.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the fish were caught inside the bay from Creyke Point to the marina. The fish have not been too large this past week, with the larger ones topping out at 9 lbs. Anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-140 depths.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. The majority of the salmon have been from 3-6 lbs in size, but some larger ones up to 10 lbs were caught. It’s been best inside Pedder Bay but slower at Whirl Bay. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 80-140 feet of water. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was FAIR off the waterfront this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. The early part of the week produced the best action. Most of the fish are still small, from 3-6 lbs in size, but some larger ones up to 12 lbs have been caught off the waterfront. In closer, there were springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island. 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 William Head produced a few, but not too many.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing is FAIR in Oak Bay. There are salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats but not many. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones to 17 lbs were caught on the weekend. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Fishing was FAIR for halibut.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area. That said, the largest spring salmon of the week on the south Island came from Sidney waters. Mark Kosick caught a 26 lb hatchery spring at Coal Island, 20’ off Shag Rock.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was PICKING UP in most lakes for trout and bass and SLOWING DOWN in the rivers for steelhead.
COWICHAN RIVER – Rains in the past week have increased the water level on the river. Near the lake the water level is at 1.7 meters and near Duncan it’s at 1.45 meters. There are fewer steelhead spawning in the river now and most of the fish being caught are kelts. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been picking up with increased inset activity. Some warm weather should really pick up the trout activity.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP for trout at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the water temperatures warm up.
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
The 12th Annual Elk Lake “Take a Kid Fishing Derby” was held this past Saturday. There were 306 adults and 85 kids participating. It was a great success for both trout and bass anglers, even if the fishing was a bit slow due to the weather. Bob Johnson won the trout category with a 3 lb 1 oz rainbow trout, and Andrew Grant won the bass category with a 7 lb 2 oz bass. Click here for all the results. All of the trout caught were rainbow and the top bass were largemouth. The winner of the draw prize of a 14’ Lowe boat, Yamaha motor and trailer was Russell Cote. Visit our facebook page for lots of pictures and details on the derby.
BASS – Bass fishing is PICKING UP on Island lakes. Most lakes are starting to produce as larger fish are moving into the shallows pre spawning. 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 TIPS OF THE WEEK
Be careful when anchoring for halibut. Don’t crowd another boat that is already anchored. Anchor lines getting tangled or hung up on each other can present a very dangerous situation that you should avoid for your own safety.
Big jigs are a very effective way to catch halibut, as most anglers know. You can improve your jigs by adding Berkeley GULP or Powerbait to your lures. The large size and scent of these attractants should increase your hookups on the big flatfish.
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