Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters salmon
Captain Rob and his crew started off the morning with this beauty chinook caught off the Victoria waterfront.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The chinook fishing was SPOTTY around the south Island, with most of them running from 3-6 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend.
NEW COAST-WIDE HALIBUT REGULATIONS: Effective at 00:01 hours on April 1, 2018 fishing for halibut will be opened coast-wide until further notice.
- Limits and sizes: The maximum length for Halibut is 115cm. The daily limit for Halibut is one (1).
- The possession limit for Halibut is two (2), only one (1) of which may be over 83cm in length.
- The annual limit is six (6) Halibut per license holder, as set out on the 2018/2019 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing License.
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 remained SPOTTY over the last few weeks. Most of the fish are from 3-6 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 this past week.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR. Anglers have been having the most success on the top of the flood tide in Whirl Bay. The largest spring seen at the marina this past week was 15.8 lbs, caught in Whirl Bay. It’s been slower inside the bay but a 12.2 lb spring was caught there. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-140 depths.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. It’s been slower inside Pedder Bay, but better at Whirl Bay. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 80-140 feet of water. The majority of the salmon have been from 3-6 lbs in size, but some larger ones were caught. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY off the waterfront this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. The early part of the week produced the best action. Most of the fish are still small, from 3-6 lbs in size, but some larger ones up to 18 lbs have been caught out at Constance Bank. In closer, there were springs from the Flagpole to Trial Island. 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. Fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week. Constance Bank and William Head produced a few, but not too many.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing is SLOW in Oak Bay. There were salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats early in the week, but it was very quiet on the weekend. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones up to 16 lbs have been caught recently. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Fishing was SLOW for halibut.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area. There were two derbies on the weekend but few salmon were caught. The Can-Am derby was won with a 16 lb spring caught near Pender Island. The Sidney Anglers’ held their Premier Salmon Derby, and only two fish were weighed in. Steve Cote won the derby with a 10 lb spring caught near Coal Island. Richard Lake came in second with a 9.8 lb spring caught near Arbutus.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was PICKING UP in most lakes for trout and bass, and SLOWING DOWN in the rivers for steelhead. There is increasing anticipation of this coming Saturday’s Elk Lake trout and bass derby.
COWICHAN RIVER – Rains in the past week have increased the water level on the river. Both near the lake and near Duncan it’s at 1 metre. There are fewer steelhead spawning in the river now, and most of the fish being caught are kelts. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been picking up with increased inset activity.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP for trout at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the water temperatures warm up. Tyler Clough caught a 4lb 5oz rainbow while at Langford Lake this past Monday. That’s easily the largest one that we have heard of this past week. 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.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is currently stocking catchable rainbow trout into southern 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 PICKING UP on the Island. 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 TIPS OF THE WEEK
A long salmon fishing rod gives a fighting advantage to the angler when playing a fish. Short rods can be used for convenience on small boats, but provide less of a leverage advantage. Nine foot rods should be your absolute minimum, but a 10’6” rod gives the fisherman much more advantage.
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