Island Outfitters
Brown trout
A nice brown trout caught on the Cowichan by Dave and his daughter Jillian.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was SPOTTY around the south Island, with Chinooks running up to 23.1 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was FAIR during the tides and strong currents of the past week.
Subject: FN0346 - RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish - Lingcod and Rockfish - Areas 12 to 20 and 29 - Open Times and Limits - May 1, 2018 - Amendment to FN0343
LINGCOD: Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for lingcod will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.
- Daily limit: one (1); Possession limit: two (2); Minimum Size: 65cm; Annual limit: ten (10)
- Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving.
- Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for lingcod, this includes catch and release.
ROCKFISH (Rockfish and Yelloweye Rockfish in the aggregate): Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for rockfish will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.
- Daily limit: one (1); Possession limit: two (2); No size limit or annual limit is in effect
- Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving.
- Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for rockfish, this includes catch and release.
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. The springs were spread out throughout the area. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water but there are some at mid-water depths. The Sooke Saltwater Series, supporting salmon enhancement and the food bank in Sooke, started this past weekend with the halibut derby. The winner was James cool with a 41.46 lb halibut.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. The hot spots were Beechey Head, Aldridge Point and between the Bedford Islands and Whirl Bay. The best depths off Beechey Head were 90-100 feet, and near Aldridge 70 feet was the magic depth. The fish haven't been too large this past week, with the larger ones topping out in the low teens. Anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-140 depths between the Bedfords and Whirl Bay.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD but SPOTTY salmon fishing. Both Pedder Bay and Whirl Bay produced some hatchery springs from 15-20 lbs. Don Boyd landed a 20 lb spring in Pedder Bay while fishing at 88 feet. Swordfish Island also produced fish while fishing at 80 feet. The majority of the salmon have been from 5-12 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past Sunday. East Race and William Head were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Constance Bank this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. 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 12 lb spring the largest that we’ve heard about. But it was spotty fishing close in along the waterfront. The best depths to fish were 90-140 feet, but we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths. Fishing was GOOD for halibut this past Sunday. On Saturday, Harland Bielert landed a 39.8 lb, 114 cm halibut at Constance Bank. Constance Bank, the Mud Hole and Albert Head produced a few in the derby.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones to 16 lbs were caught on Sunday. The Flats was producing the best on the flood tide, while the tail end of the ebb produced the best at the Gap. Fishing was FAIR for halibut on Sunday. Border Bank was where most of the halibut were caught.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area. The Sidney Anglers’ Association held their annual Salmon Derby this past weekend. There were 52 chinooks weighed in, 34 of which were hatchery marked. The winner was Chris Flint with a 23.1 lb spring caught near Coal Island. Second place went to Kate Cole with a 21 lb spring. Third place was won by Mickey Webster with a 17.2 lb spring. There were 200 tickets sold this year. There were springs being caught near Pender Island, Moresby Island, Coal Island and Hambley Point.
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 0.96 metres and near Duncan it’s at 0.84 metres. Fishing for trout in the upper river has been good.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP 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 PICKING UP 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 trout with Power Bait, always make sure the hook is completely covered by the bait. You don’t want the trout to feel any metal when they gently mouth the bait. And don’t use too heavy a weight as to alarm the fish when it picks up the bait.
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