Mark Lister won the Mill Bay Marina Derby on Saturday with his 13lb 8oz salmon.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was FAIR TO GOOD around the south Island, with most of the Chinooks running from 3-8 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was SLOW with less favourable tides this past weekend.
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0173 - RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Chinook - Areas 19 and 20: Chinook Recreational Fishery Management Actions - Effective immediately until 23:59 hours June 15, 2018
Waters: Subareas 19-1 to 19-4; and, Subareas 20-4 to 20-7 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Point to Sombrio Point): You may retain two (2) Chinook salmon per day. These Chinook may be either: wild or hatchery marked between 45 cm and 67 cm; or hatchery marked greater than 67 cm in length. The minimum size limit in these waters is 45 cm in length.
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 FAIR over the last few weeks. Most of the fish were from 3-8 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 over the weekend.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD. Anglers have been having the most success on top of the flood tide in Whirl Bay. It’s been slower inside the ban and 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 GOOD fishing in Whirl Bay. The largest salmon of the week was an 18 lb hatchery spring caught by Bob Gicas in Whirl Bay. It’s been slower near the Green Can, at the mouth of the 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, with the occasional larger chinook. 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 3-7 lbs in size, but a few larger ones have been caught. It was best for numbers of fish out at Constance Bank. In closer, there were springs from the Flagpole to Trial Island. Wayne Zaccarelli landed a 13.5 lb spring near the harbour on Monday. 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. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week, however Constance Bank produced the largest of the few caught. Brian Dow landed a 73.8 lb (131 cm) halibut with herring for bait while on the bank.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay this past week. There are salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats, but they were mostly small. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and have been close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom. Halibut fishing was SLOW.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. We have heard that there were some keeper springs being caught near Moresby Island, and just south of James Island.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW in most lakes for trout and bass, and GOOD 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 down to 0.84 metres, and near Duncan it’s 1.02 metres. There are steelhead in the river now, and we have heard of good fishing in the Riverbottom area. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been SLOW due to the cold water temperature.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been SLOW at the local lakes.
BASS – Bass fishing is 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
Maintain, service, and repair your gear. These stormy winter/spring days are the perfect time to get into your tackle box, organize it again, get rid of the old or bad lures, take stock of what’s missing, buy or replace what’s needed, change the line on the reels, service the reels, and replace worn or missing guides on your rods. Take advantage of this time and get a head start on the coming year.
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