Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - May 20/18
Oak Bay flats gave up this one on the long weekend.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing remains SPOTTY to FAIR around the south Island. Hatchery Chinooks running into the mid teens are what’s available. 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 5-8 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 with no outstanding catches reported. The hot spot was inside the bay near Aldridge Point. Most of the fish have been from 5-8 lbs with the odd “teenager”. The best depths off Aldridge Point were 70-80 feet, and off Beechey Head 90-100 feet was the best.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR TO GOOD salmon fishing. The majority of the salmon have been from 5-12 lbs in size but there have been some mid teen hatchery fish being caught. One day it would be good in Pedder Bay and the next it would be good in Whirl Bay. In the bay the fish have been in water as shallow as 30 feet. In Whirl Bay, 80’ has been the depth to fish. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past Sunday. East Race and Constance Bank were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOW off Constance Bank this past week when the currents were ripping. In closer, there weren’t too many springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island. It was spotty fishing 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 at Constance Bank and the Mud Hole.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay. Most of the salmon have been from 5-10 lbs, 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. Friday and Saturday were the most productive days this past week. It was much slower on Sunday. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Fishing was FAIR for halibut this past week. Border Bank was where most of them were caught.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. Coal Island was good in the evenings for springs up to 16 lbs. The Powder wharf area has been holding lots of bait, and fish into the mid teens have been caught there. We’ve also heard of springs up to 10 lbs coming from Fairfax.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level has dropped and the river is in great shape. Near the lake the water level is at 0.51 meters and near Duncan it’s at 0.45 meters, great 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 GOOD for trout 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
When fishing for salmon you should follow the bait for best results. Schools of needlefish and herring are often pushed around by the action of tides and currents, especially on flats, and it pays to locate and then stay with the bait. Once you're on the bait, it's only a matter of time before the salmon show.
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