Vancouver Island Fishing Report - April 24/16
Seth Webber is all smiles with this big Bass.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was FAIR when it wasn’t too windy. Most of the salmon are still small but some larger wild fish are also being caught and released. Halibut fishing was FAIR if you picked the right time to fish the currents.
THE 20TH ANNUAL JUST FOR THE HALIBUT DERBY IS THIS COMING WEEKEND!!!
Subject: FN0110-Recreational - Salmon - Chinook - Areas 19 and 20: Fishery Management Actions in effect to 23:59 hours Friday, June 17, 2016 – Waters: Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt to Sheringham Pt.). Management measure: You may retain two (2) chinook salmon per day. These chinooks may be either 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 waters is 45 cm in length. Management actions after June 17 will be announced in a second fishery notice.
FN0221- RECREATIONAL- Halibut - Management Measures in Effect April 1, 2016 Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2016 until further notice. The maximum length for halibut is 133cm. The daily limit for halibut is one (1). The possession limit for halibut is two (2), only one of which may be greater than 83cm in length. Note: This is a change from last year. The annual limit is six (6) halibut per license holder
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 FAIR for springs this past week. Most of the salmon have not been very large, with the exception of some unclipped springs that were caught and released.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in the Bay and towards Beechey Head. Most of the fish were running from 6 to 10 lbs in size but there were some larger hatchery springs around. A 19.8 lb hatchery spring came from Beechey Head and a 14 lb hatchery came from Aldridge Point. There some good size unclipped springs that were caught and released as well. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. 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 lots of springs in the mid teens at Whirl Bay but most were small. 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. Most of the fish on the bank have been just around the minimum size for retention. However, if you stick it out, there are some better fish to 10 lbs available. Not many of the fish were reported to have come from close in along the waterfront, although I did hear of an 18.5 lb wild Chinook that was caught and released by the breakwater.
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 FAIR this past week. The Flats have been holding some springs up to 12 lbs and the fish have been feeding heavily on needle fish. It’s been best in 60-140 depths.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was FAIR near Sidney. Coal Island and Fairfax Point have been the best areas to fish. Unfortunately, the seals have been a nuisance at Coal Island. There has been a good number of springs between15-20 lbs being caught. There has also been some action near Moses Point. 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 0.72 meters at the lake and 0.68 meters near Duncan today. Fly fishing at the top end of the river for trout has been good and 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. Ron Flower caught a 3 lb 9 oz rainbow trout at Quamichan Lake.
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.
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
Big jigs are a very effective way to catch halibut, as most anglers know. You can improve your jigs by adding Berkeley Gulp or Powerbait to your lures. The large size and scent of these attractants should increase your hookups on the big flatfish.
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