Island Outfitters
A beautiful winter steelhead caught by Nelson Karger
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week when it wasn’t too windy. Most of the salmon are still on the small size, and there weren’t many large ones, like last week, being caught. Halibut fishing was GOOD.
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.
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 GOOD for winter springs this past week. There are lots of small springs off Sooke and it’s been good near Secretary (Donaldson) Island. Anchovies have been the top bait recently, especially with glow teaser heads.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were catching springs as large as 10 lbs in the bay. It was best between Lamb Island and Fraser Island. There have also been reports of springs caught by the Trap Shack and in Whirl Bay, but those were smaller fish. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD, just like last week. There were lots of springs at the entrance to the bay. The anglers are fishing close to the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water. There is still a lot of bait right inside the bay.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend week. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The fish were plentiful at Constance Bank and near Albert Head (on the pinnacles). Most of the salmon are still not very large in size, mostly “charter specials”. The inside of the harbour has also produced some better springs and Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced some fish.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. The best areas have been Constance Bank and Albert Head.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week but few people are fishing salmon in this area. The Flats have been holding some nice fish recently for those trolling close to the bottom. It’s been best in 100-140 depths.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend.
SIDNEY– Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. Moresby Island was the hot spot for salmon this past week with a couple of 12 lb springs taken there. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention and most areas have some fish.
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.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level on the river peaked a few days ago. The water level at the lake today was at 2.4 meters and near Duncan at 2.1 meters. The water clarity has been good. There is a dangerous sweeper above the Skutz Fall pull out and another one above the Bible Camp. One boat was lost recently, but fortunately no lives were lost. Anglers have been catching steelhead and the occasional brown trout in the Riverbottom area, mostly from drift boats. We’ve also heard of some fly anglers hooking up with steelhead too. Fly fishing at the top end of the river has been good.
TROUT – Trout fishing was picking up on most lakes in the South Island area. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling 3” plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout. Shore anglers at local lakes are catching trout while fishing from shore and close to the bottom.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island trout hatchery. On February 29, Prospect Lake received 2,000 trout, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout and Glen Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 222 grams. On March 3, Elk Lake received 2,000 catchable rainbows and Shawnigan Lake received 1,950 trout averaging 232 grams.
BASS – Bass fishing is picking up. 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
When fishing for halibut, you should always add lots scent to your bait or lure. Halibut are definitely more attracted to a bait or lure that has X- 10, Bait Oil, Butt Juice, or even a homemade scent additive, than to unscented bait. Some anglers even go so far as to put artificial scent on rags tied to rocks and then drop them around their anchored boat to help attract halibut.
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