Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - Aug 17-23
This 66 lb 131cm halibut was taken by Meredith Hope, of Texas, in 285 feet of water in front of Pedder bay.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD but slower than last week. Lots of chinooks were being caught all throughout the area, with most of them weighing in the teens. The coho are starting to appear out in the deeper waters of the strait. The pink salmon fishing was definitely slower and you had to work to find them. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting this species.
DFO notices (For all in-season changes, check DFO website.
A closure was implemented on all southern island freshwater systems, including the Cowichan River, in early July prohibiting all fishing, including First Nations FSC fishing. Management measures are now being expanded to the adjacent terminal marine areas, elevating the key chinook non-retention areas to salmon non-retention areas. DFO analysis has shown that the implementation of this management measure will reduce the exploitation rate on Cowichan Chinook.
The following subareas will close to salmon retention effective 00:01h August 4, 2015 until further notice:
- Subareas 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9
- Subareas 18-6 to 18-8
- Subareas 19-7 to 19-12
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SOOKE – The salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The pink salmon are still here and even though there were fewer of them this past week, if you worked for them you could get some. The springs were more abundant than the pinks and good catches came from all areas. Most of the springs were weighing between 10 to 20 lbs, but there were a few in the twenties and some in the 30+ size. The bigger springs are being caught in the 35 - 60 ft depths. Some hatchery and wild coho are also being caught, mostly out in the shipping lanes. Sockeye and wild coho still have to be released.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD in East Sooke. There are a lot less pink salmon being caught and you had to work harder for them. The best pink fishing has been on the flood tide in the tide rips and tide lines out in the strait. The spring salmon fishing has picked up. The Trap shack area was good to anglers on over the week. The best fishing there has been in tight to shore in 100 feet of water or less and between 40 – 70 feet on the downrigger. Most springs were running from 10 to 20 lbs in size with the occasional 20+ lb'er being caught.
Cheanuh Marina held their annual salmon derby this past weekend. First place went to Al Zaalberg for a 27.4 lb spring. Second place went to Shirley Lambrecht for a 24.4 lb spring. Third place went to John McHale with a 23.2 lb spring. There were 107 springs weighed in and 198 tickets sold for the derby.
PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this week. Pink salmon, some nice springs, a few hatchery coho and some catch and release wild coho and one 10 lb chum salmon were reported by Pedder Bay Marina. There were quite a few springs in the area, but no area was a real hot spot. All of the pink salmon has kept the rental boat fleet very busy and there are usually waits at peak times. Most of the pink action is now coming from out near the shipping lanes as the run is definitely slowing down, causing spotty fishing. A 37 lb spring was caught trolling at 50’ on the Pedder Bay side of Bentinck Island. Kathryn Ramsay caught her first spring salmon, a 34 lb fish, at Church Rock on an anchovy. Most of the springs caught have been at that 50-55 foot depth.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Meredith Hope, of Texas, caught a 66 lb 131cm halibut in front of Pedder Bay.
VICTORIA – Fishing for springs was FAIR, both at Constance Bank and along the waterfront. It was slower than last week and not as many springs were caught by anglers. The springs were spread out from Harling Point to Albert Head, depending on the tide, and there were some pink salmon mixed in with the springs. Out at Constance Bank there were more pinks and feeder springs. Most of the springs were in the teens, but there were a couple over 20 lbs landed.
The Esquimalt Anglers Association held their Annual Salmon derby this past Sunday. First place went to Be Tran for a 20.0 lb spring. Rick Carson came in second with a 17 lb 15 oz spring. Third place went to IAIN MacLeod for a 17lb 14 oz spring. There were 43 springs weighed in and 83 boats fishing in the derby.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Anglers report that the dogfish were less of a problem this past week.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. There were some springs caught but it was spotty most of the time. 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. Josh St. Gelais caught a 133 cm, 75lb Halibut in Haro Strait.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD near Pender Island The pink salmon have been close to Pender Bluffs and most boats are getting fish there. The springs are also showing up there in good numbers between 50 - 60 feet on the downrigger.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. To see a description and a map of the areas covered by the stream and river angling closures visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/#anglingclosure
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week.
BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows. 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
When you see birds working a ball up, don’t troll through the ball up and the birds. Feeding salmon are mostly outside of the ball up looking for the crippled bait fish that are falling away with the tide or swimming away from the ball up. You should fish to the side and below the bait and not disturb the birds that are on the top.