Fishing Reports for November 23
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
no report this week
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
no report this week
Marine Area 5
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
no report this week
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
Thanksgiving Fishing! Kathy and I love this time of year to be out on the water in search of Fall Kings (as long as it is not raining too much or really lumpy.
The PSA Sno-King and Everett blackmouth derby was this past Saturday and Sunday and club members had some great action on the water.
It seems the big Herring have moved onto Posession Bar and the smaller fish headed North somewhere to find some smaller bait.
Congrats to Darrin Small for bringing home both 1st and 3rd in the Derby ! It was the 3.5 inch Herring Aid and Irish Crème Tailwagger that proved to be a
great snack for Darrin’s fishies near the NE corner of the bar.
It’s time to eat your turkey, be thankful of where we live, and get out on the water for some king katchin’!
Marine Area 10
Results of the third day of the 71st Tengu Blackmouth Derby on Nov 20: only 14 members ventured out on Sunday and brought just one blackmouth to the weigh-in. A mid-morning bite off the Marina gave up the lone keeper in addition to a larger keeper lost at the boat right before tide change. There are now larger shakers being caught in the Bay with some just short of the 22-inch minimum. Smaller amounts of bait reported by members but squid seem to be everywhere.
1) Benny Wong 6 lb 13
Salmon University staff
According to the fish checker, there aren’t a lot of blackmouth salmon being checked in at the Shilshole boat launch. Most fish are coming from across the sound for those boats willing to make the trip over to Jefferson Head and beyond.
My kayak friends and I have fished the area between Westpoint and Meadow Point pretty consistently over the past week. There’s lots of bait showing up. You can see the birds and fish working the surface. We have primarily been jigging using Mack’s Lure Sonic Baitfish in 3/4 oz white when the fish are up top and the current isn’t ripping. These lure are great in that they can be jigged or easily trolled.
We have managed to catch several squid, rock sole and sand dabs dropping down to the bottom in 70 feet of water or more. It’s nice to have a backup plan. Switch to 2 to 3 oz metal candlefish jigs like a Point Wilson Dart with stronger tides.
The outside of the marinas you’ll still find several hungry surf perch that can’t resist a drop shot worm in front of their face. A fun fight on light tackle.
Report submitted by Brad Hole of Kayak Fishing Washington. (also, on Facebook)
Marine Area 11
Crabbing is now closed until we hear if we will have a winter season starting January 1, 2017. For a more up to date report call 253-591-5325
Point Defiance Marina has rental boats and motors and launch and overnight moorage facilities with pump out stations and shore power. In addition, we have storage space for boats up to 17 feet as well as kayak storage. For more information call 253-591-5325
Basic Fishing Classes are offered throughout the year. 2 Hour classes are $15.00 and can be designed for youth and adults. Boat House Tackle Shop open 7 days a week. Learn fall fishing opportunities and how to pursue thm.
Boat lifts open from 6 am to 6 pm. Tackle Shop hours are 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. For more information call 253-591-5325 Call 253-591-5325 or visit us on Facebook “Point Defiance Marina”
Squidding classes at Point Defiance Marina December 3, 2016 from 4-6 pm. Cost $15 Learn the regulations, locations to fish, equipment and tackle . Also care, cleaning and cooking. Call 253-591-5325 or genea@tacomaparks.com.
Pier Peer Tacoma Marine Education Program with Tacoma Nature Center and Point Defiance Marina. Saturday, November 19 from 7:30-9 pm Cost $8.00 (Must be age 8 + and each child must have an adult with them). See and touch marine creatures brought up by local divers as well as participate in a lighted area dip net for smaller sea life to observe and release. Great way for the family to see nighttime marine life on the Puget Sound.
Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Art Tachell, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 art@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Last Saturday the local Heroes on the Water NW Chapter gathered for their 2nd Annual Kayak Slay Ride Derby. This kayak only chum salmon derby’s proceeds benefit local war veteran’s and their families through kayak fishing outings put on throughout the year. The event brought out 34 kayak fisherman that braved the heavy winds and choppy water conditions to get towed around by several big chum salmon.
Darker colored marabou jigs and Blue Fox Spinners triggered the bite for these toothy fish. Anglers weighed in their bag limit of fish for their choice of many donated prizes. The award ceremony at Sunrise Motel followed by a potluck dinner for all to enjoy a good day of fishing and remembering our veterans that have served.
Report submitted by Brad Hole of Kayak Fishing Washington. (also, on Facebook)
Freshwater – Beaver Lake
Well, the crowds have disappeared on Beaver Lake after their big fall stocking. I was out on the lake this past Thursday and ran into two kayakers, one boat and one bank angler. A WDFW was checking licenses and making sure vehicles had valid Discover Passes when I arrived.
It was a calm day to be on the water with my kayak. The other two kayak anglers I ran into had no luck trolling. I had a feeling they were pulling just along the surface. While I did see a few fish surface, many were in that 5 to 10 foot range from the top of the water. I trolled a Mack’s green Wiggle Hoochie tipped with worm with one color of lead core. That put me down 6 feet under the surface. My line wasn’t out 5 minutes and a fish slammed my lure. A much stronger fight than the other fish I had caught on Beaver Lake. This big girl would jump three times before I could net her. I managed to catch another two fish within the next hour and then the bite shut down and the rain came. I don’t think all 2,000 fish have been caught. Get out there and give it a try!
Report submitted by Brad Hole of Kayak Fishing Washington. (also, on Facebook)
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
With the unusually and much higher water level it has changed a couple of things here. I can see it but I talked to Mike Messeberg, owner of the Mardon resort here. He said he has never seen the lake as high at the same time of the year as it is now. In talking to a local duck hunter he said that in about two weeks the water level could be high enough that he will have to hunt from his boat instead of setting up a ground blind and camo. Also very few, if any, northern ducks have shown. I am seeing increasingly large flocks of geese daily flying by.
With the high water there is a walleye fishery that has been hot. Usually this happens much later in the year but the walleye are being caught in good numbers in front of the outlets from Moses lake. This is a boat fishery and there is a regulation as to how close to the outlet you can legally fish. Fish blade baits for your best results. We have had several days of fog but still no freeze yet.
Report submitted by Tom Pollack.
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the fish at the marina have been halibut and more people are fishing for halibut than for salmon. As for chinooks, only small winter springs up to 7 lbs were caught this past week. A few fish are now being caught inside the bay. Most of the anglers are now switching over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons, in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours have been very effective. Anglers using bait are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. For flashers, the Betsey, Lemon Lime and Green/Silver Hot Spot have been good. Halibut fishing has been GOOD and more people are fishing for halibut than for salmon.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Salmon fishing was SLOW again this past week. There were some springs up to 5 lbs caught on the flats but not too many. Most of the springs are too small for retention. The coho haven’t been running strong in this area as well. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons. Anglers jigging have been using Needlefish Darts, Point Wilson Darts or Deep Stingers.
Halibut fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the recent action has been from small winter springs. Both Pedder Bay and Whirl Bay have held lots of these fish. However, there have been a few larger ones around; as Whirl Bay has produced springs up to 11 lbs. Small spoons with green color have been the best lure to use. Most of the springs are just under or just over the minimum size for retention. Most of the anglers are now switching over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours, have been very effective. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow color combination have been good plastic baits to use, especially with a 28” to 32” leader. Anchovies were still working this past week. Good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Flashers that are popular include the Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Madi.
Halibut fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. The best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank. 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 9” Jumbo Squids 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
Sidney
Salmon fishing was BETTER this past week. Bob Haney landed a 14 lb winter spring near Sidney Spit in 65’ feet of water. He also lost one about 12 lbs in size. Elsewhere in the Sidney area it ws pretty slow except for undersize salmon. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful spoons this past year.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
Halibut fishing has been GOOD and more people are fishing for halibut than for salmon. The salmon fishing was SLOW for springs and most of the fish are on the small size. Most of the anglers are now switching over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. The top spoons for Sooke anglers have lots of green, glow or Moon Jelly as the primary color. Anchovies are still a good choice for bait and good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. For flashers, you can’t go wrong with a Super Betsey, Madi or Bon Chovi Flasher. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been effective recently.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Victoria
Fishing for salmon was FAIR this past week. The best fishing has been out at Constance Bank where there are some feeder springs up to 6 lbs. However, most of the springs there are around 45 to 50 cm. We’ve only heard of small springs coming from the waterfront. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups but you have to check you line every 10 minutes for shakers. Green Spatter Back UV Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have brought good results at Constance Bank.
Halibut fishing was VERY GOOD this past week with the best areas being Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Fishing is GOOD in most lakes for both trout and FAIR for bass. Fishing for salmon in the rivers is now in full swing and anglers are having EXCELLENT results.
Fishery Notice – Fisheries and Oceans Canada Subject: FN1259-RECREATIONAL – Salmon – Region 1: Vancouver Island River Systems – Chum Daily Limit Change Strong chum returns have been observed in numerous Vancouver Island river systems recently. These large returns will or have surpassed escapement goals. Effective immediately until December 31, 2016 the daily limit of chum is four (4) per day in the open portions of the following Region 1 rivers: Cowichan River: That portion of the Cowichan River from the 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Nanaimo River: That portion of the Nanaimo River from the upstream side of the Cedar Road Bridge, upstream to the end of Boswell Rd. (commonly known as “Firehall Pool”). Nitinat River: Those portions of the Nitinat River located downstream of Parker Creek and from 50 m upstream to 50 m downstream of the Nitinat River Bridge.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Idaho
no report this week
Oregon
Tillamook Bay
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reports that fishing on the bay is fair. Fall Chinook are being caught throughout the bay. Success rates are varying greatly from day to day but there are definitely some fish around. There are also decent reports of hatchery coho being caught. ODFW conducted creel interviews at Memaloose on the upper bay last Friday and saw a harvest rate of 0.2 fish per rod for Chinook. Anglers are reminded that there is no retention of wild coho in the bay this year, so all coho kept must be adipose fin clipped.
Due to a wetland restoration project between the tidewaters of the Trask and Wilson Rivers, public access to the Wilson River tidewater from the end of Goodspeed road, and to the Hospital Hole on Trask tidewater, are currently unavailable.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
no report this week