Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - May 13/18
What a morning fishing out of Victoria!
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The chinook fishing remains SPOTTY to FAIR around the south Island. Hatchery chinooks running into the high teens are what’s running. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week.
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 was FAIR this past week. Most of the fish are from 5-11 lbs in size, with the occasional larger one into the teens. Otter Point provided the best catches this past weekend. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water but there are some at mid water depths. There have also been some wild, oversize fish into the 20’s caught and released.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. The hot spots this past week were Church Rock and Whirl Bay. Anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-140 ft depths between the Bedfords and Whirl Bay. Aldridge Point and Beechey Head also produced some springs. The best depths off Beechey Head were 90-100 feet and near Aldridge 70 feet was the magic depth. The fish have not been too large this past week, with the larger ones topping out in the low teens.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. Anglers travelling to Constance Bank had the best results. The majority of the salmon have been from 5-12 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past Sunday. East Race and Constance Bank were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was FAIR off Constance Bank this past week when the winds weren’t too bad. Anglers have been getting hatchery springs into the high teens on the bank. In closer, there were springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island, with a 17 lb spring from near the Breakwater. It was spotty fishing close in along the waterfront with most boats getting skunked. The best depths to fish were still 90-140 feet but we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week with Constance Bank and the Mud Hole being best.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones into the teens were caught over the week. The Flats was producing the best on the flood tide, while the tail end of the ebb produced the best at the Gap. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Fishing was FAIR for halibut this past week. Border Bank was where most of them were caught.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area. Coal Island was good on Thursday evening with one boat picking up 14 and 16 lb springs. We’ve also heard of springs up to 10 lbs coming from Fairfax.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level has been dropping all week and the river is in great shape. Near the lake the water level is at 0.7 meters and near Duncan it’s at 0.62 meters, good conditions for those anglers wading in the river. Fishing for trout above Skutz Falls has been good. Anglers are reporting good action on both dry flies and nymphs.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the water temperatures warm up.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is currently stocking catchable rainbow trout into Vancouver Island lakes. To find out about stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx
BASS – Bass fishing is REALLY GOOD on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are moving into the shallows for spawning. 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
Set your drag – properly! The best way to set your drag is with an accurate measuring scale, the same type that you use to weigh a fish. Your drag should be set to slip at approximately 30% of your line’s breaking strength when pulled directly off the reel.
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