Island Outfitters
Chad Mackay caught this 26” rainbow trout at Elk Lake.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was PICKING UP this past week. The weather, once again, has been a big factor in anglers not going out fishing for much of the week. That, and seasonal activities, have kept all but a few anglers off the water. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting the big flatfish.
Please note that there are salmon and other fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC’s tidal waters. For the latest details on openings and closures in your area: call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or visit DFO's web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices.
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SOOKE – The salmon fishing was PICKING UP recently. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now and a few keepers into the mid teens.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR for anglers in East Sooke. There were more winter springs caught but most are not too big. Most of the anglers reporting success were getting their fish in Whirl Bay. Four halibut were brought into the marina on the weekend.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past weekend. Not many anglers were out fishing, but those who did go out caught fish that were mostly in the 5-7 lb range. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water. The anglers are fishing tight to the bottom are often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLET this past week. Everyone who went out after halibut caught fish and nothing less than 25 lbs was seen at the marina.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The salmon are all along the waterfront from Esquimalt to Trial Island. There were a lot of salmon on Constance Bank as well.
HALIBUT – Halibut remains GOOD around Middle Bank and Constance Bank. Good depths seem to be between 155 ft and 255 ft for active fish.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was PICKING UP this past week and some winter springs have been caught. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney, but almost no one has been out, so it’s only speculation about what it’s really like. There was a lot of bait around Coal Island and Sidney Spit, so there should be some fish there. Most of the winter springs have been short of the minimum size for retention in previous weeks.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, but the fishing has been good for these large trout.
COWICHAN RIVER – Heavy rain this past week have blown out the river. Today the water level was over 2.5 meters both at the lake and near Duncan. A few mint bright winter steelhead have been caught and released in the Riverbottom area. There are some coho in the river but it is strictly catch and release. Effective until December 31, 2015 the daily limit for chum salmon is two (2) adults in the following portion of the Cowichan River: Downstream from the Mile 66 Trestle Bridge to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Anglers are reminded that coho retention (both adults and jacks) remains closed at this time. The Cowichan River is open to Fly Fishing Only from the Weir in Cowichan Lake downstream to the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle).
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Chad Mackay caught a 26” rainbow trout at Elk Lake on Sunday. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout.
BASS - Bass fishing is VERY 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.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
It’s in the bag, or is it? Many a nice fish is lost because of anglers not netting the fish properly. When you net a fish, you should always lead the fish into the net headfirst. Because fish don’t swim backwards, any movement by the fish should force it deeper into the net. Don’t try to scoop the fish up from behind if you want to land the big one.