Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
Salmon fishing is picking up in the Victoria area.
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 during the tides and strong currents of the past week.
Subject: FN0346 - RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish - Lingcod and Rockfish - Areas 12 to 20 and 29 - Open Times and Limits - May 1, 2018 - Amendment to FN0343
LINGCOD: Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for
lingcod will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.
- Daily limit: one (1); Possession limit: two (2); Minimum Size: 65cm; Annual limit: ten (10)
- Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving.
- Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for lingcod, this includes catch and release.
ROCKFISH (Rockfish and Yelloweye Rockfish in the aggregate): Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for rockfish will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.
- Daily limit: one (1); Possession limit: two (2); No size limit or annual limit is in effect
- Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving.
- Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for rockfish, this includes catch and release.
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 FAIR this past week. Most of the fish are from 3-8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one to 18 lbs. The 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 week.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIRLY DECENT this past week. Most of the fish were caught near Beechey Head, the Bedford Islands and Whirl Bay. The fish have not been too large this past week, with the larger ones topping out in the low teens. Anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-140 depths.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. It was good in Whirl Bay but slow in Pedder Bay. The majority of the salmon have been from 4-6 lbs in size, but some larger ones up to 14 lbs were caught. Most of the salmon have been caught close to the bottom in 120-140 feet of water, but a few have also been caught at 80’ on the downrigger. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past Sunday. East Race and William Head were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Constance Bank this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. Anglers have been getting hatchery springs into the high teens on the bank. In closer, there were springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island, just not too many. 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 GOOD for halibut this past Sunday. Constance Bank, the Mud Hole and Albert Head produced a few in the derby.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing is FAIR in Oak Bay. There are salmon coming in from the Flats but not a lot. It was slow around the Gap. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones to 18 lbs were caught on Sunday. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Fishing was FAIR for halibut on Sunday. Border Bank was where most of them were caught.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. There were springs being caught near Pender Island, Moresby Island, Coal Island, and Hambley Point.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was PICKING UP in most lakes for trout and bass, and the steelhead fishing is pretty much over.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level has been dropping all week, but it is still high. Near the lake the water level is at 1.22 metres, and near Duncan it’s at 1.07 metres. Fishing for trout in the upper river has been picking up. More warm weather should really increase the trout activity.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP for trout too 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 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 REALLY PICKING UP on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are moving into 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.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
When fly fishing for trout in rivers, it is very important to check your flies frequently. The small hooks are easily damaged or broken by rocks or hard objects. This can occur on a back cast or as the fly bounces along the river bottom. Nothing is more frustrating than to miss a big fish and then find that the end of the hook was broken off on a previous cast.
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