Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - June 3/18
The Victoria PSF dinner committee took some time for themselves after all the ongoing hard work! Here is the group with a couple of nice salmon they caught fishing out on the Oak Bay flats on the weekend.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW - The Salmon fishing has been GOOD this past week around the South Island, however fishing in many areas has been dependent on the tides. We have had reports of larger salmon being caught over the week. Halibut fishing wasn’t targeted as much as salmon over the last week, however, the tides look good for this coming week, so get out fishing and don’t forget to bring a kid.
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 VERY GOOD this past week in Sooke. The most productive spot this week has been the Trap Shack. Anglers have been fishing 60-90 ft depths in 120 ft of water. There have been reports of fish up to 30 pounds being caught in Sooke; however, on average the size range has been anywhere from 12-20 pounds. Don Boyd caught an 18-pound salmon in Sooke on May 30. If you are looking to target bottom fish or crab, Sooke is a great place to go.
BECHER BAY - Salmon fishing has been GOOD in East Sooke. The hot spots this past week were the Bedford Islands, and inside the bay near Aldridge Point, again this week. Most of the fish have been from 9-21 pounds. The best depths off Aldridge Point were 70-80 ft and close to the bottom off the Bedfords.
PEDDER BAY - Salmon fishing in Pedder Bay has been GOOD over the last week. There have been reports of salmon weighing in between 7-18 pounds coming from Pedder Bay. Jigging has been a great option in Pedder Bay as the salmon are feeding on needlefish close to the bottom.
VICTORIA - Fishing for salmon was GOOD when the tides permitted. The most productive area in Victoria was Constance Bank this past week. Fishing the bottom in 80-120 ft of water was working the best for anglers fishing Victoria. On average, the salmon have been ranging from 8-15 pounds.
OAK BAY - When the tides allowed, salmon fishing was GOOD in Oak Bay this past week. Each day was different, depending on the currents, so be sure to check your tide book when looking for the best times to get out. Anglers have reported that the Flats have been the best spot. The salmon have been feeding on needlefish close to the bottom, so fishing the bottom in 80-120 ft of water has been the most productive in the past week. On average, salmon have been ranging from 8-17 pounds in size.
SIDNEY - Sidney has been SPOTTY fishing for salmon this past week. The high slack has been the most productive time to get out fishing in Sidney – make sure you check your tide book for your best times. In the evening, Coal Island has been producing the best when fishing for salmon. There has also been reports of salmon coming from Sidney Spit. Fishing the bottom in 100-120 ft of water seems to be working the best as the salmon are feeding on needlefish close to the bottom. The average range for salmon has been 8-13 pounds with some salmon into the twenties also being reported in Sidney. Halibut fishing has been OKAY over the past week. The tides were spotty so more anglers where targeting salmon over the last week. When the tides allowed, there have been reports of halibut being caught in Albert Head, East Constance and Oak Bay. There was also a halibut trolled up in Sooke in 60 feet of water.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW - Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER - The water level is good for those anglers wading in the river. Fishing for trout above Skutz Falls has been good as well. Anglers are reporting good action on both dry flies and nymphs. It’s a great time of year to fly fish the river for trout.
TROUT - Trout fishing has been GOOD for trout at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the weather warms up. That said, as a thermocline is established, look for the trout deeper than earlier in the spring. The mornings and evenings should produce surface action for fly anglers. Shore anglers are catching trout while fishing close to the bottom. Fly anglers are fishing patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. There have been some chironomid hatches too.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is currently stocking catchable rainbow trout into 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 EXCELLENT on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are in the shallows for spawning. Soft plastics are a great choice when fishing structure close to shore. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year if you find fish in deeper water. During the day, spinner baits and crank baits are working well. 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
Fishing many areas rely on the tides being good, so don’t forget to check your tide book for your best times to get out fishing and remember to bring a kid!
Connect with Island Outfitters on social media: facebook; instagram