Fishing Reports for March 16
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Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
Fishing for ling cod and rockfish opened last Saturday. Ling have a daily limit of two fish with a minimum size of 22-inches; it’s no-holds-barred on rockfish, other than a daily limit of ten.
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
Well folks it is that time of year again when we start the Salmon season setting process.This year is going to be especially difficult because for the first time in my career we are legitimately looking at the possibility of having NO salmon fishing in both the Sound and the Ocean. Emotions are high and disappointment seems to be in the forefront as we start down this path again with a possibility that none of us ever want to see It is very understandable why people feel this way but at the same time I am completely amazed as to how, year in and year out , we continue to see the disappointment and anger on the faces and hearts of anglers, businesses and coastal communities yet never make the changes necessary. I am to the point of utter frustration with this. As I see it the only hope for change is to put our efforts behind voting for legitimate change. Give the state the intestinal fortitude to stand up and stop this debacle. Stay tuned for more information here os SU.
On a better but still disappointing note Lingcod fishing opened this past Saturday to 14 foot seas and 25 knot gust. That being said we all stayed tied to the dock and spent time getting gear ready. When we do get to run I am planning to head 7 miles out and up from Grays Harbor in search of hard bottom. Grubs, Shrimp Flies, or Herring will work for both Rock Fish and Lings.
Hope to see you all at the upcoming Salmon University seminars April 2nd and 3rd. For those of you who have not attended, it is a blast. Let’s get together and talk fishing. You will learn a ton. Have Fun, Be Safe, and we will see you in Westport!
Report by Kevin Lanier, owner of KC Sportfishing Charters 425-328-8558, President PSA Ocean Anglers, VP PSA State Board. Photos by Cyndi Lanier, Owner of Dockside Art,Gifts,and Tackle Westport Wa. 425-328-8559.
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
no report this week
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
The final leader board for the 12th annual Frank Wilson Memorial Blackmouth Derby. Vicki caught her fish on the first weekend in February, and stayed on top all the way through the 6 week tournament. She caught it on a Silver Horde 3” Kingfisher Lite spoon, in Irish Cream, 48” behind an 11” Green/Glow flasher. It’s a bittersweet victory. Awesome to win, but sad we won’t be able to catch more of these hatchery fish this season.
Salmon fishing is now closed in Marine Area 7.
The rainbow to the left just happened to land right where our boat is moored in Friday Harbor. A pot of gold landed there for us as well during the 2016 Frank Wilson Memorial Blackmouth Derby, as my wife Vicki held on for the $1000 win. Too bad a pot of something else landed on all of us with the early closure of Marine Area 7.
While the thunder is now silenced for this Winter Chinook season, your voice doesn’t have to be. To get involved, and express your ideas and opinions, attend the North of Falcon meeting, March 30th, from 9:30am-5pm at the Lynwood Convention Center in Lynnwood, Wash. Or, submit a comment online at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon. Joining clubs such as Puget Sound Anglers (PSA) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is a good starting point as well. To say the upcoming season-setting process is going to be a challenge is an understatement. The future of recreational fishing in Washington State is a stake. Time to get involved.
Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-SanJuan Islands Chapter PSA, CCA Northsound. The cover of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Klein and shows Northwest Marine Trade Association president George Harris with a season-ending fish caught in the San Juan Islands.
Marine Area 8.1
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Good” prospects for cutthroat during March in Marine Area 8.1.
Marine Area 8.2
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Good” prospects for cutthroat during March in Marine Area 8.2, and “Poor” prospects for Coho.
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
“FOUR TO SIX FOOTERS,” I noted to myself as I laid back on the couch with a hot cup of coffee. There have not been too many anglers out this week with all the wind, rain, and waves. There are some random reports of some bigger fish caught up by Onamac Point in Area 8-1 using the old stand-by green spatterback hootchies.
Can’t wait for it to lay down a bit so I can get off this couch and FISH !
See you on the water!
Report submitted by Nelson “Spud” Goodsell of Salmon for Soldiers (FISHTALE 2).
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
no report this week
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Coho during March in Marine Area 12.
Marine Area 13
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Coho during February in Marine Area 13.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
There have been days this past week of reports forecasting bad weather that are sometimes correct, but most of the time not. Today, for example, rain was forecast but not a drop did I see. I was over to the west side on Saturday for a surprise birthday for one of my sisters. We spent the night in Everett and headed over Stevens Pass to return home. Up to the summit the highway was fine. Once we were about 10 miles east of the summit we ran into a snow storm and followed a plow truck to Leavenworth. Then we were in snow almost to Quincy. No wonder we are not seeing many west siders coming over to fish. I did see that the George area lakes supported a robust fishery, especially Martha and the Catchelle Lakes. Also we took a drive to look at the lakes below the dam, now that the outlet canal is open. They’re filling up. On one of my favorite lakes, Soda, the water has come up high enough for the boat launches on both ends to be useable. I suspect that now, with water being drawn out of Potholes, it is time to move up into the Crab Creek channel.
Report submitted by Tom Pollack.
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
no report this week
Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound
no report this week
Bamfield
Not quite derby winners but Betty with our limit of nice Chinook.
Well, the last couple of weeks have been interesting to say the least. I probably don’t have to tell anyone, but I will. The winds have been relentless, up to 60 knots, and seas to 30 feet or more. Despite all that, for the little time we have been out, fishing has been quite good. We have stayed pretty close to home. Mostly fishing from the harbor mouth to Sea Pool Rocks for salmon and inside Barkley Sound for halibut.
The Sproat Lake Loggers Salmon derby had a good turn out despite not being nice weather. A lot of salmon were caught with the winning Chinook being 24 pounds, followed by 20 and 17. Nice fish for this time of the year.
For more info call Ken Bodaly at Rocky Point Charters, Bamfield, B.C. 250-728-3678 or the boat cell phone 250-735-4224 website: www.rockypointcharters.ca email: rockypointcharters@shaw.ca facebook: Rocky Point Charters
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were catching springs as large as 10 lbs in the bay. It was best between Lamb Island and Fraser Island. There have also been reports of springs caught by the Trap Shack and in Whirl Bay, but those were smaller fish. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Cop Car, Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were also effective. For flashers, the Madi, Lemon Lime and Purple Onion have been good. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Pedder Bay
Sidney
Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. Moresby Island was the hot spot for salmon this past week with a couple of 12 lb springs taken there. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention and most areas have some fish. Most anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
The salmon fishing was GOOD for winter springs this past week. There are lots of small springs off Sooke and it’s been good near Secretary (Donaldson) Island. Anchovies have been the top bait recently, especially with glow teaser heads. The 3”-4” Coyote, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are also top choices for Sooke anglers in the winter months. Good colors have been Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Lemon Lime.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Ucuelet
no report this week
Victoria
Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The fish were plentiful at Constance Bank and near Albert Head (on the pinnacles). Most of the salmon are still not very large in size, mostly “charter specials”. The inside of the harbour has also produced some better springs and Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced some fish. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and Cop Car colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Madi have been effective lately.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. The best areas have been Constance Bank and Albert Head. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Fishing is PICKING UP in most lakes for both trout and bass. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, where the fishing has been good for these large trout. Steelheading has been good in most Island rivers.
Bass fishing is PICKING UP. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing the bottom, drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Smoke or Pumpkinseed Yum baits. 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.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
no report this week
Oregon
Tillamook Bay
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon could be good. Fish the channel edges on the outgoing tides.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
no report this week
