Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - May 27/18
4 year old Abby caught her first trout, a nice rainbow, at Cowichan Lake.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing remains SPOTTY to GOOD around the south Island when the wind wasn’t howling. Hatchery Chinooks running into the upper teens were making up the catch this past week. Halibut fishing was SLOW 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 5-10 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 PICKED UP in East Sooke. The hot spots this past weekend were the Bedford Islands and inside the bay near Aldridge Point. Most of the fish have been from 8.5-14 lbs. The best depths off Aldridge Point were 70-80 feet and close to the bottom off the Bedfords.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR to GOOD salmon fishing but not too many anglers were out due to the strong winds all week. The majority of the salmon have been from 5-12 lbs in size but there have been some high teens hatchery fish being caught. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week. East Race and Constance Bank were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOW off Constance Bank this past weekend due to the currents and strong winds. In closer, there weren’t too many springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island, but there were a few into the teens hanging around. The best depths to fish were still 90-140 feet but we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths. Fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay. Early in the week there were quite a few in the teens being caught. Then it slowed down into the weekend. 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. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week. Border Bank was where most of the halibut were caught.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. Coal Island was the most productive location to catch springs into the high teens. Dan Fears caught a 69 cm spring off Coal Island Tuesday morning while jigging from his kayak. The Powder wharf area has been holding lots of bait, and fish into the mid teens have been caught there as well, just not as many. We’ve also heard of springs up to 10 lbs coming from the Pender Bluffs, 135 feet down on Cop Car spoons.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level is good for those anglers wading in the river. Fishing for trout above Skutz Falls has been good as well. 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 weather warms up. That said, as a thermocline is established, look for the trout deeper than earlier in the spring. The mornings and evenings should produce surface action for fly anglers. Jeremy Allan caught a 3 lb 4 oz rainbow trout on White Garlic Powerbait at Elk Lake. 4 year old Abby Kramberger caught her first trout, a nice rainbow at Cowichan Lake.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocking report of rainbow trout into southern Vancouver Island lakes is as follows: On May 25th, Elk Lake received 4,834 all female triploid Blackwater River stock rainbow trout averaging 69.84 grams.
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 EXCELLENT on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are in 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
For many anglers, it's the beginning of fishing season and they are about to take their first trip of the year. Before you go on that long anticipated first trip, go over all your gear in detail. Replace last year’s line with new line, get rid of old leaders and replace them with new ones, plus clean up anything that’s tarnished. It wouldn’t hurt to do an inventory of all your gear and make sure that you have everything you need before venturing forth. Every year we hear a sad story of someone out for the first time and hooking a monster, only to lose it to worn tackle that they didn’t bother to replace. Don’t let that be you.
Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.
Connect with Island Outfitters on social media: facebook; instagram