Vancouver Island Fishing Report - Mar 4/18

Where to Fish

Island Outfitters

SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was FAIR TO GOOD around the south Island when it wasn’t blowing and freezing. Most of the Chinooks have been from 3-8 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was SLOW because of the strong currents this past weekend.  

Halibut season is now open! Effective March 1, 2018 until further notice:

  • The maximum length for Halibut is 133 cm.
  • The daily limit for Halibut is 1.
  • The possession limit for Halibut is 2, only 1 of which may be over 83 cm in length.
  • The annual limit is 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); 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 has been FAIR over the last few weeks when you could get out. Most of the fish were from 3-8 lbs in size, with the occasional larger one. The best location to fish for winter springs was near Secretary Island. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water.  

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD if you could get out in the weather. Anglers have been having the most success on the top of the flood tide in Whirl Bay. 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. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water. The salmon have been from 3-5 lbs in size, with the occasional larger chinook up to 10 lbs.  

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was quite SLOW due to strong currents during the season’s opening weekend, with only two caught by all boats out fishing.  

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off the waterfront this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. Most of the fish are still small, from 3-7 lbs in size, but a few larger ones have been caught. On Monday, Sonia Benedic caught a 23.5 lb hatchery spring while fishing off Clover Point. There was also an informal derby held by members of the Esquimalt Anglers’ Association on Saturday. Gary Caton was the winner with a 9 lb 13 oz spring, second was Mike Weber with a 7 lb 9 oz spring, and Wayne Zaccarelli was third with a 6.5 lb spring. In most locations the best depths to fish were 90-140 feet and we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths.

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was SLOW due to strong currents during the season’s opening weekend.  

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. 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.  

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was SLOW due to strong currents during the season’s opening weekend.  

SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was GOOD in the Sidney area. Big fish of the week was a 16 lb spring caught by Colin Campbell on an APT Sandlance spoon. We have heard that there were some keeper springs being caught near Polier Pass and by Moses Point. Jigging has been the best way to catch springs near the Powder Wharf. The Red Can and the Powder Wharf are two areas off the channel that have also produced some fish.  

FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW in most lakes for trout and bass, and GOOD in the rivers for steelhead. 

COWICHAN RIVER – The water level on the river is continuing to drop and is good for fishing. Near the lake, it’s down to 0.99 meters and near Duncan it’s 1.15 meters. There are steelhead in the river now, and we have heard of good fishing  in the Riverbottom area. For steelhead, jigs and pink worms have been productive. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been FAIR.  

TROUT – Trout fishing has been SLOW for trout at the local lakes. Shore anglers are catching trout while fishing close to the bottom. Fly anglers are fishing on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels.

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.

The Elk and Beaver Lake Fish Inventory prepared for the Capital Regional District by Hemmera Envirochem Inc. is now available for those interested in what’s in the lake. You can download the report at: http://colquitzcoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/171106_CRD_Fish_Inventory_Report.pdf  

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK  

Double up for halibut! When you bait up a herring for halibut, add a small piece of octopus to the trailing hook. That way, if a halibut steals your herring, you can leave the bait down and get the fish when it comes back for the octopus a few minutes later.  

Upcoming Fishing Derbies:

  • 'Take a Kid Fishing' Derby - April 14
  • Just for the Halibut Derby - April 21 & 22

Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.

http://fishingvictoria.com/

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