Fishing Reports for April 12
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
Marine Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)
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
I don’t recommend this to everyone…running across Haro Strait in Gale force winds.
For those who made it out during the wind this past week fishing was fair to good. Silver Horde spoons in 3″ Herring Aid have been the hot ticket.
Submitted by Kevin Klein, Team Parker Boats NW.
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
SALMON FOR SOLDIERS 2017 is ON! We are FISHIN’! Time to rally!
Based on the latest news from the North of Falcon meetings, we will have a marked Coho fishery in MA-10 during our event slated for August 26th out of the PORT OF EVERETT.
This is your FORMAL Call-to -Action, for all participants, boat captains and crew to mark your calendars for what will be the BIGGEST salmon fishing celebration on the West Coast!
Veterans, Active Duty and Reservists personnel can register for this event via salmonforsoldiers.com or by emailing Randy Shelton at cabincreekadventures@yahoo.com
Boater and Veteran/Active Duty and Reservist registration will open immediately . Boater participation will be limited to the first 150 vessels. Must be registered to attend.
Based on the last two years of NO FISHING, we are blessed and pleased with the opportunity, so a huge shout out to all of our representatives and advocates who have helped make these meeting and season setting targets possible…we SALUTE you.
For more information, visit the website, connect on facebook or call any of our board members and we will be happy to assist.
Together this will be, in fact, the BIGGEST event of the Season!
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
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.
Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Art Tachell, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 art@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
no report this week
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
Nothing has really changed here at Potholes this past week. With a new bottom end on my motor I ventured out to start the break in time. I did not find anyone fishing on the main lake. At the ramp I talked to some fishermen who were fishing up by the power lines on Crab Creek with no Walleye success but did find water temperatures at 50 degrees. I found the main lake at 45 degrees. The past few days the main lake was at 45 degrees as night time temperatures have been below freezing. We had a lot of gusty wind here with Sunday after noon I had a surprise. I have a 12 foot smoker boat on a trailer behind my house to find the wind had blown the trailer on its side and the boat on the ground.
I had heard of an albino deer was see by Soda Lake and had seen pictures of it. This friend had seen it 3 times in about the same location in the pre sunset time of day. We were in the area last night about the same time but no luck in seeing this deer. Better fishing will be coming whenever winter releases her grip.
Report submitted by Tom Pollack
British Columbia
Vancouver
Salmon fishing has been good over the past week with a couple of days where you really had to work for your bites. These fish are constantly on the move right now as is normally the case for April.
We are still finding some feeder fish in Howe Sound but right around now is when we start to see a move to the offshore waters of Bowen Island and off of the Gulf Islands. Fishing will remain productive over the next 8-10 weeks for chinook in the 10-25 pound range.
Crabbing was good over the weekend and will continue to produce into June. We have about another 3 weeks until the commercial prawning opens in early May. Prawning will remain good over these few week but will quickly decline(over the course of a couple of days). So now is the time to book if you’re trying to stock up.
From here on out we will see the fisheries constantly changing for the next 7 months, so now is a great time to start planning your trips for the months ahead. Give us a call or shoot us an email and we can get you all set up with everything you need to know.
For more info call Jeff or Jason at Bon Chovy Fishing Charters (604) 763-5460,bonchovy.com email: info@bonchovy.com. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports, showing Chad and Claudia with a dandy halibut caught in late March, was also contributed by Bon Chovy.
Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound
no report this week
Bamfield
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The best fishing has been near Aldridge Point and in Becher Bay. Top catch of the week was a 15 lb hatchery spring caught near Aldridge Point. There were several in the 10 lb range as well as smaller 6-8 lb springs. Most of the salmon are hatchery marked. James Drinkwater reported catching a nice 10 lb. Hatchery Chinook off Aldridge Point using anchovy and a yellow teaser at 125 ft. The best depths for trolling has been 110 – 130 feet on the downrigger. Ore anglers are using bait now and are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons, in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours have been very effective. For flashers, the Red Glow Hot Spot, Lemon Lime and Green/Glow Hot Spot.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Salmon fishing was GOOD recently. There are springs up to 12 lbs on the flats near Brodie Rock and on the Flats. All of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons. Sandlance lures and squirts (needle fish) are best in pearl, white & green, or white glow. Good jigging lures have been Point Wilson Darts and the Delta Mac Fish.
Halibut fishing was GOOD with fish taking salmon heads or bellies, large herring and octopus. Larry Dalziel caught a 61.5 lb halibut while fishing south of Discovery Island. Be sure to get setup about an hour and a half before the slack to catch the tide swing and to be able to stay on the bottom. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD salmon fishing for hatchery springs from 6 to 15 lbs in size. The fishing was best by the Can Buoy at the mouth of the bay. There are lots of needlefish in the area and salmon are targeting them. Most anglers are using artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom, but anchovies are also producing well. The fish haven’t been too picky about what they will strike. Spoons, especially G-Force, Skinny G and AP Tackle works spoons in Outfitters’, Bon Chovy or No Bananas 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 30” to 36” 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 Hot Spot Red/Glow, Lemon-Lime and Madi.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sidney
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. There was a derby held out of the Port Sidney Marina and some nice fish were caught. We don’t know the exact results but do know that he winning fish was a 17 lb spring caught by Wayne Pullen and that the top 5 salmon weighed 13 lbs or better. The best areas were Hamley, Coal Island, Saanichton Spit and the Sidney Channel. Anglers using spoons found small Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful spoons this past weekend. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
70 lb halibut and others caught west of Sooke last week
The salmon fishing has been GOOD for springs. Most of the fish are running from 6 to 10 lbs in size. The best fishing has been in 110 to 130 feet of water. Good areas have been near Otter Point, the Bluffs, and Tugwell Creek. The salmon are holding close to the bottom so you have to troll deep. Most of the anglers are using artificial lures and the Skinny G needlefish spoon in the Outfitters color scheme has been the most effective lure. The top spoons for Sooke anglers have lots of glow, red or Moon Jelly as the primary color. 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. Halibut fishing has also been good west of Sooke. One boat with 6 anglers on board bought in 6 halibut and 3 salmon on one trip.
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 SLOW this past week. Constance Bank was where the most consistent action occurred. Springs caught there were as large as 10 lbs. Closer in, fishing has definitely been slower. Best areas have been the harbour entrance and Brotchie Ledge. Your lure should be close to the bottom when trolling off Victoria this time of year. The same depth and technique has been working well out at Constance Bank. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups. Green Spatter Back UV Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have brought good results.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Constance Bank was the best location to fish.. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes and Rivers
Fishing was PICKING UP in most lakes for trout and bass as water temperatures are rising. Winter run steelhead fishing is slowing down in most rivers on both sides of the Island. Lots of the fish being caught now are kelts.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Oregon
Lake Michigan
no report this week
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