Island Outfitters
Kingsley Grant (left) with Walker Grant (right) and Walker's big halibut
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Halibut fishing was GOOD if you picked the right time to fish the currents. 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.
Subject: 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 GOOD for winter springs this past week.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were catching springs in the bay, near Beechey Head and Whirl Bay. An 18 lb hatchery fish from Beechey Head was the biggest salmon at the marina this past week. A 14.5 from Whirl Bay was the largest from that area. Inside the bay the fish were running from 6 to 8 lbs in size. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina. There were also quite a few halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. There were springs at the entrance to the bay and at Whirl Bay. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water. Ross Hopkins got an 18 lb spring near the Can Buoy at 125’ in 160’ of water. David Turenne was fishing at 36’ in 60’ of water near Bentick Island when he landed an 18 lb fin clipped chinook. There were many nice hatchery springs in the 11-18 lb range brought in this past week.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was hit and miss off Victoria. Some areas produced really well and other areas did not produce at all. There were salmon on some spots on Constance Bank and Albert Head (on the pinnacles). Most of the salmon are still not very large in size, but there are a decent number of keepers out there. Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced a few fish, but not too many.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend, if you picked the right time with the tides. Walker Grant’s 133 cm, 75.8 pound halibut is now topping our leader board now. The big fish was caught right in front of Clover Point in 321 feet of water on fresh herring that was just netted up off the surface. The best areas have been Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week and 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 GOOD this past weekend.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. Fairfax Point and Mandarte Island produced several 20-24 lb springs one day this past week. There was a salmon derby in Mill Bay this past weekend, but only 7 salmon were weighed in from 70 boats fishing. The winning fish was a 13.5 lb spring caught near Whisky Point. Second place went to a 13 lb spring and a 10.75 lb spring came in third. There was also a small derby in Sidney and a 15.8 lb fish won that derby. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention though. We also heard of a 79” halibut that was caught, videoed and released near Sidney. That fish would have been pushing 270 lbs if it had been weighed on a scale.
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 is 1.62 meters at the lake and 1.41 meters near Duncan today. The water clarity has been good. There is quite a bit of spawning activity going on now, both from both steelhead and rainbow trout. There are lots of steelhead in the river and many of the fish being caught now are kelts. There is a dangerous sweeper above the Skutz Fall pull out and another one above the Bible Camp. 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.
SPRING RELEASES: The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. Click here for their stocking reports.
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
All fishing & hunting licenses expire at the end of this month so be sure to get your new licenses before your next trip outdoors. There are often changes in the regulations, so take some time to read and review them before going out and accidentally getting into trouble.
The 10th Annual Elk Lake Fishing Derby will be held on April 9th! Tickets are now available at the store.
Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.