Cameron Yakimovich
Island Outfitters
Saltwater Overview - Chinook fishing was FAIR to GOOD in most locations but it did slow down again overt the weekend. Halibut fishing was only FAIR with the stronger tides this week. Lingcod and Rockfish opened on May 1st.
Effective until 23:59 hours Friday, June 12, 2015 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt. to Sheringham Pt.), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be 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 areas is 45 cm in length.
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SOOKE – The fishing for winter springs was FAIR this past weekend. Some hatchery springs into the teens were taken outside the harbour and near Secretary Island. However, the best fishing was west of Sherringham Point. Bait is now out-producing artificial when fishing for the springs and the fish have been deeper that during the previous week.
Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was FAIR to GOOD in East Sooke. This past week, salmon were caught throughout the whole area and there was no one hot spot. Most hatchery springs were running from 7 to 13 lbs in size and there were some larger unclipped fish that had to be released. Some of the salmon were caught deep (100 -140 feet) in even deeper water and others were caught from 50-70 feet on the downrigger..
Not too many halibut were being caught this past week.
PEDDER BAY – Chinook salmon fishing was FAIR to GOOD this past week. Whirl Bay was the most popular spot by far, but those fishing inside Pedder Bay were also picking up salmon. There were good size hatchery fish up to 18 lbs being caught and a few over size wild springs as well. Most of the hatchery fish were in the 7 – 13 lb size range. If you could find a bait ball, you could pick up springs by fishing around the edge of the bait ball. Most of the keepers were caught near the bottom.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week.
VICTORIA – Fishing for winter springs was GOOD off Constance Bank. Hatchery fish weighing into the teens were caught, as well as some bigger unclipped fish that had to be released. The salmon were feeding on needlefish that were schooled on the bank. Needlefish spoons were very effective in getting hook ups. Anglers have not done as well fishing closer to shore but they have picked up fish near Finlayson Point.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the action has come from out near Border Bank and not so much from Constance and Albert Head.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOWER this past week. Anglers had the most action trolling out on the Flats. That said, anglers jigging were also picking up a few salmon. Many of the springs were in the mid teens in weight and there were a few large wild springs in the 20’s caught that had to be released. There were lots of needlefish around, keeping the fish in the area.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOWER near Sidney this past week. We’ve heard of a 14 lb spring coming from Coal Island area and 18 & 14 lb springs from near Hambley. We did not hear of any of the other areas producing fish other than bottomfish.
Notable Catches – . Steve Webb and son Trevor a 67″ long (approximately 150lbs) halibut off Oak Bay on Saturday after a 45 minute struggle to bring it to the surface.
Freshwater Overview – Fishing is PICKING UP on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Trout fishing in the Cowichan River is EXCELLENT. Remember that ALL wild trout (steelhead included) must be released on ALL streams in Region 1. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Only single barb less hooks are allowed for all fishing on island streams and rivers. Bass fishing is now catch and release only until June 15th.
COWICHAN RIVER –The water level has been steadily dropping for the fourth consecutive week. The water level today is between 0.45-0.55 meters throughout its length. The trout fishing in the mid and upper river is EXCELLENT. Insect hatches are becoming larger and more frequent. There were some huge mayfly hatches this past week. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry.
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC most recent spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery are as follows. On April 24th, Elk Lake received 1,150 trout with an average weight of 214 grams and Durrance Lake received 650 trout with an average weight of 214 grams. On April 22nd, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average weight of 232 grams. On April 21st, Matheson Lake, Kemp Lake and Glen Lake received 500 trout with an average weight of 226 grams and Colwood Lake received 250 trout with an average weight of 226 grams. On April 8th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout with an average weight of 208 grams. On March 13th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,164 trout averaging 248 grams. On March 12th, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 239 grams. On March 10th, Elk Lake received 1,850 trout, Lookout Lake received 200 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 50 trout with an average weight of 240 grams. On March 9th, Thetis Lake received 1,250 trout and Kemp, Matheson, Glen and Dougan Lakes each relieved 500 trout with an average size of 234 grams.
The biggest trout this year have come from Langford Lake.
BASS – Bass fishing is PICKING UP. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows for 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. Bass fishing is now catch and release only until June 15th.
Notable Catches – Doug Burnit landed a 4.2 lb rainbow trout using Powerbait at Dougan Lake on May 9th.