Island Outfitters
Walker Grant (left), Hayley Gilbert (middle) and Chris Row (right) with two nice halibut
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT! Salmon fishing was GOOD when it wasn’t too windy.
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. We’ve heard of fin clipped chinooks as large as 20 lbs coming from near the Sooke Bluffs. Adam Orser got a nice double header at the Bluffs with the two chinooks weighing 15 & 12 lbs. Adam was bottom bouncing a Kingfisher Kitchen Sink spoon off the bottom in 92 feet of water when he hooked the pair. We also know of another boat that landed 20, 16, 10 & 6 lb springs while trolling anchovies at 120 feet in 150 foot depths.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were still catching springs in the bay, but Whirl Bay produced larger fish. A 20 lb hatchery fish from Whirl Bay was the biggest salmon at the marina this past week. There have also been reports of springs caught by the Trap Shack and in Whirl Bay, but those were smaller fish. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina. There were also a few halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. There were springs at the entrance to the bay but most of the larger fish, up to 20 lbs, came from Whirl 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 EXCELLENT this past weekend week with lots of boats out and lots of limits caught. Mike Boyd brought in a nice 60 lb halibut from Race Rocks. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was FAIR off Victoria. The fish were some salmon near Constance Bank and Albert Head (on the pinnacles). Most of the salmon are still not very large in size, mostly “charter specials”. Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced some fish, but not too many.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend, the best weekend of the year so far. The best areas have been Constance Bank, Border Bank and Albert Head.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week but few people were 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 EXCELLENT this past weekend. Bruce Cook weighed in a 63.2 lb halibut at the store yesterday. Chris Row from Brockville, Ontario caught a 129cm fish that weighed in at 63 lbs. Walker Grant caught a 126cm Halibut that weighed in at 54 lbs.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. Moresby Island has produced the most keepable salmon, but that’s not the only spot where keepers were caught. Coal Island and the Red Can near Sidney Spit also gave up some decent size fish this past week. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention though. There have also been a number of boats fishing in the north end of Saanich Inlet.
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 has been dropping for a week and is 1.85 meters at the lake today and 1.55 meters near Duncan. The water clarity has been good. There is a dangerous sweeper above the Skutz Fall pull out and another one above the Bible Camp. Anglers have been catching steelhead and the occasional brown trout, mostly from drift boats. We’ve also heard of fly anglers hooking up with steelhead too. Fly fishing at the top end of the river for trout and steelhead has been good.
TROUT – Trout fishing was PICKING UP on most lakes in the South Island area. Most lakes have received the first stocking of catchable rainbow trout by now so there are more fish to be caught.
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.
NEW SPRING RELEASES: The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. On March 17th, Kemp, Matheson and Spectacle lakes received 500 trout each with an average size of 250 grams. On March16th, Durrance Lake received 187 brood stock trout with an average size of 675 grams and 1,255 trout with an average size of 242grams. On March 8th, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout with an average size of 225 grams.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
When fishing for trout with power bait use a small hook. You want to make sure the hook is completely covered by the bait so the trout will not feel anything unnatural when they gently mouth the bait.
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