Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Poor weather made for miserable fishing conditions most of the week around the south Island, so very few anglers were out. The Chinook fishing was FAIR TO GOOD with most of them in the 4-10 lbs size.
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SOOKE – Once again, there’s not much new happening here. The salmon fishing has been FAIR over the last few weeks when you could get out. The keepable fish were from 4-8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one up to 15 lbs being caught. The best location to fish for winter springs was in front of the harbour and along the Bluffs. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 ft of water.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD if you could get out in the stormy weather. That said, not too many anglers were out during the week. Those that did, however, stayed fairly close to the marina and did well there. Anglers have been having the most success in Becher Bay between Frazer Island and Cheanuh Marina on the top of the flood tide. A few anglers have also had some success in Whirl Bay as well. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-160 depths. We haven’t heard of any salmon over 10 lbs here this past week.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD fishing in Pedder Bay near the Green Can and in Whirl Bay. Of course, not many anglers were fishing in the bad weather this past week. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 100-140 ft of water. The salmon have been from 3-7 lbs in size with the occasional larger fish.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOWER off the waterfront this past week. Most of the fish are still small, from 3-7 lbs in size, but a few larger ones are hanging around. Constance Bank has been the best spot to fish for numbers of fish. Trolling just off the bottom in 85-140 feet of water has been the way to catch salmon there. Closer in, salmon were caught near Clover Point. In most locations the best depths to fish were 90-140 feet although they are often found in shallow water near the harbour entrance.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats but they were mostly small, under 10 lbs in size. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and have been close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area but few people were out fishing. There were lots of immature herring off Fairfax, but only small springs were being caught. On Monday, Nolan Walker and his fishing buddy caught 15+ small springs and limited out in less than 2 hours with springs between 5-8 lbs in the Sidney channel. Last week there were some keeper springs up to 12 lbs being caught near the Powder Wharf. Jigging has been the best way to catch springs near the Powder Wharf. We also heard of some springs near Hambley Point and Fairfax Point.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW in most lakes for trout and bass and SLOW in the rivers for steelhead.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level on the river is continuing to drop. Over the last three weeks it’s gone from 3 metres from near the lake down to 1.16 meters, and near Duncan it’s gone from 3.4 metres to 1.26 metres. The water is slightly cloudy right now and is excellent for steelhead fishing. There are steelhead in the river and we have heard of some being caught in the Riverbottom area, but not too many. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been SLOW.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been SLOW for trout at the local lakes. That said, Kayden Howes caught a 5 lb 4 oz rainbow trout on corn at Elk Lake last Monday.
BASS – Bass fishing is SLOW. 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
Want to fish the Cowichan or your favorite river but don’t know what the conditions are like? Get on the internet and go to https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/mainmenu/real_time_data_index_e.html for real time water conditions on most major river systems in BC. You’ll find real time information on water level, volume, temperatures, and more, before you leave home.
Upcoming Fishing Derbies:
- 'Take a Kid Fishing' Derby - April 14
- Just for the Halibut Derby - April 21 & 22
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