Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was FAIR when it wasn’t too windy, with the best fishing in the afternoons. Halibut fishing was FAIR if you picked the right time to fish the currents.
Our 20th annual Just for the Halibut derby is coming up on April 30th and May 1st! Tickets available at Island Outfitters.
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); or 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 SLOW for springs this past week. A creel survey of 30 boats on Sunday found only 2 chinooks and 5 halibut were caught. All of those fish were taken by local fishing guides.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in the Bay. Most of the fish were running from 6 to 10 lbs in size and the largest was a 20.5 lb spring caught by Vern Story not too far from the marina. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina. There were also quite a lot of halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. There were hatchery springs in the mid teens at Whirl Bay. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom, often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water, while others are getting nice fish at 60 – 90 feet.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was FAIR off Victoria. Constance Bank was good early in the week but slower on the weekend. A creel survey of 40 boats at the Esquimalt Anglers ramp on Saturday reveled 16 springs and 21 halibut taken by local anglers. Not many of the fish were reported to have come from close in along the waterfront.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. The best areas have been Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. A few people were fishing for salmon on the Flats but not landing much. The Flats have been holding some smaller size springs fish recently for those trolling close to the bottom. It’s been best in 100-140 depths.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney, but slower than last week. Coal Island has been the best area, however the seals have been a nuisance there. There have been quite a good number of springs between12-20 lbs being caught. It has slowed down by Hambley Point and in the lower channel.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is PICKING UP in most lakes for both trout and bass. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, where the fishing has been good for these large trout. Steelheading has been good in most Island rivers.
All bass fishing is closed to retention until June 15th.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level has been dropping steadily all week and the water level is 0.955 meters at the lake and 0.7 meters near Duncan today. Most of the steelhead have left the river and most fish being caught are kelts. Fly fishing at the top end of the river for trout has been excellent as insect hatches are becoming common. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry.
TROUT – Trout fishing is PICKING UP on most lakes in the South Island area.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has resumed spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. These are the 3N Fraser Valley strain. A total of 46,544 trout have been released to date in 2016 in Vancouver Island lakes. Click here for the Freshwater Fisheries Society release information.
BASS - Bass fishing is PICKIING UP. At this time of year some of the bass are moving into the shallows while other bass are near deeper drop offs and hard to find. Look for the fish suspended by drop offs close to shore along docks, branches, and any overhanging structure. 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
Its transition time again for Chinook anglers. While there are still deep running winter fish around, returning migratory springs are also starting to show up. These fish are found much higher in the water column, and anglers who want to catch them should keep at least one line off of the bottom and at middle water depths.
Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.