Vancouver Island Fishing Report - June 29-July 5
Justin Wilson with his 39.4 lb spring caught near Church Rock.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD most of this past week. The pink salmon have arrived earlier than usual and are in good abundance. Lots of boats were getting limits, especially if they tried to catch them! There were quite a few chinooks being caught with many in the 30-40 lb size range. It was a very good start to the month! Halibut fishing was FAIR but most anglers were out after salmon.
DFO notices (For all in-season changes, check DFO website)
- Effective until 23:59 hours July 17th, 2015 in subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and 20-5, the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day, of which only one (1) may be greater than 67 cm. The minimum size limit in these areas is 45 cm.
- Effective until 23:59 hours July 17th, 2015 in Subareas 18-1 to 18-6, 18-9 and 18-11, and Subareas 19-5, and that portion of Subareas29-4 and 29-5 that lies south of a line from a point on the east side of Valdes Island located at 49.05.562n/123.39.989W then extending 57 degrees True for 5 nautical miles to a point at 49.08.316N/123.33.669W, the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day of which only one (1) may be greater than 67cm The minimum size limit in these areas is 62cm in length.
- The daily limit for coho is two (2) per day, hatchery marked only from June 1 to December 31, 2015.
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SOOKE – The salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past weekend. The pink salmon are here and many Sooke anglers have reported 10-25 pink salmon in one day! Now that the pinks are running, it is a great opportunity to get new anglers and kids out. The springs were in good abundance and scattered from Secretary Island west to Sherringham Point. There were many springs over 30 lbs caught as well as fish in the 20’s and teens. Jeff Candell brought in a 30 lb spring that he caught off Secretary Island. Also, the fish seem more consistent in the 40-80 ft depths.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD in East Sooke. Most of the better sized springs (30’s and high 20’s) fish were caught between the Bedfords and Beechey Head but fishing was good everywhere. Pinks were reported in this area in as well with many boats getting limit catches. Most springs were running from 15 to 25 lbs in size, but several much larger fish were also caught. Dennis Zarelli brought in a 32.5 lb spring that he caught near the Trap Shack. Most fish have been getting caught between 35-75 ft on the downrigger.
PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT this week. Lots of salmon were reported caught from Pedder Bay to Church Rock. The pinks were around in good numbers and the springs were in good numbers as well. Justin Wilson landed a 39.4 lb spring while fishing near Church Rock. It’s a great time to get the family out to experience the action pinks provide.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Most anglers are finding lots of dogfish but those who stuck it out, they were able to find a few halibut.
VICTORIA – Fishing for springs was VERY GOOD off Constance Bank and is GOOD along the waterfront. Fish weighing into the high teens and mid-twenties are being caught at Constance Bank and springs into the high twenties along the Waterfront. Fred McCullough landed a 30.6 lb spring near Albert Head. Both mark Kirkpatrick and Ed McNabb landed 27 lb springs off the waterfront. Mike Wardell landed a 23¼ lb off the waterfront as well. The pinks have also been showing up in good numbers off Victoria, much earlier than usual.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. Anglers had mixed reports of success because of lots of dogfish on one day and then none the next.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD during this past week although very few pinks were in this area. The fish caught were 10- 29 lbs and most were caught when fishing lures right on the bottom (70-110ft) on the flats. Harry Buckle and his son Cody had a great day off of Trial Island keeping 29 ,28, 25 and 22 lb springs as well as releasing many others.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. The pink salmon have been running off of the Pender Bluffs and anglers have reported good catches form there. A few chinooks were brought in over the past week weighing into the low twenties but the majority of the fish caught were between 8-17 lbs. the springs have been shallow, 30 to 50 feet and in shallow water.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Only single barb less hooks are allowed for all fishing on island streams and rivers.
Effective July 4, 2015, virtually all angling in streams and rivers in Wildlife Management Units 1-1 through 1-6 is suspended. The geographic area covers:
- Bamfield south to Victoria on the west coast
- Campbell River south to Victoria on the east coast
- Key rivers affected by the order include the Caycuse, Chemainus, Cowichan, Englishman, Gordon, Little Qualicum, Nanaimo, Nitinat, Oyster, Puntledge, San Juan, Sooke, Trent and Tsable. Lake fishing is not affected by the order.
The angling closure order is for southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands only at this time, but B.C. government fisheries biologists are monitoring approximately 75 other key angling streams across the province, and if conditions warrant, additional closures are possible.
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The biggest trout this year have come from Langford Lake.
BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows. 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.