Fishing Reports for May 24

By on May 24, 2017

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

no report this week

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

no report this week

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

Here they come over the rail! Having a good hauler makes a lot of difference in the Prawn game.

Here they come over the rail! Having a good hauler makes a lot of difference in the Prawn game.

Halibut was open Sunday May 21st, and fishing was still fairly slow for most. Prawn’s and Ling are the main thing for rest of the month. That makes it worth a Memorial day weekend trip. Halibut will be open on Thursday May 25th as well, so an early start to the holiday could pay off.

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)

no report this week

Marine Area 10

no report this week

Marine Area 11

The salmon fishing in area 11 is currently closed and will reopen 6/1/17 however ling cod fishing is open through 6/15/17 and so far the ling cod fishing has been fair.

Area 13 south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is currently open and there has been decent opportunity to catch Chinook salmon there mostly trolling flasher and spoon combinations near Pt. Gibson, the Sand Spit/Green Pt. and Wollochett Bay area, for those who prefer to Mooch or Jig Pt. Gibson provides good opportunity. Get ready for the June 1 opening for Area 11 Salmon. Lots of bait in the area so let hope the salmon fishing kicks off well

For an updated report call (253)591-5325.

Crabbing is now closed until July 1 with no winter crabbing in Area 11. 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

Learn Basic Fishing Youth/Adult June 17, 2017 Saturday 10 am to 12 noon Cost $15 (ages 8+). The Adult (Age 15+) is on May 27, 2017 form 10 am to 12 noon. Cost is $15 . To sign Up call 253-591-5325

ABC Boater’s Class II for beginning boaters on Monday and Thursday nights from 7-9 pm , June 5-19 (5 nights total) This class will provide the requirements for the mandatory WA State Boater’s Card for boats with 15 hp or greater. The class will provide a Boater’s Manual and Navigational Software. Cost is $50. The class is taught by Tacoma Power Squadron. Info call 253-591-5325

Summer Camps Available Sails and Trails Camp for Ages 11-15. Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Cost $260/wk. Participants spend the week fishing and educational trail hikes at Point Defiance and Sailing and Kayaking at Tacoma Youth Marine Center. Also one day is spend at Foss Seaport Center with hands on marine science. July 10-14, July 17 21, July 24-28, July 31-Aug 4.

Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Art Tachell, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 art@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.

Marine Area 12

no report this week

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

no report this week

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

This past year the level of Potholes has been increasing due to melting snow packs as well as a lot of rainfall. Right now the lake level is at least eight-feet higher then normal. Fish are still holding way up in the dunes and not making their way out. I fished last week what would normally be the face of the dunes with no results. I then went up into Crab and caught a nice largemouth on a worm harness. I made my first attempt to take a self-picture. Once I got to where I could see what I got and what I did get is the lake around me, I learned I should have turned the phone around.

Wednesday I took a long time friend, Ted Walker, and his buddy up to Moses Lake to show them just how to fish walleye. The first hot spot I had heard about was not so hot. We moved above I 90 up from the State Park about a mile and dropped into about 20 feet of water. After about 2 minutes I had a dandy fish and had to call for the net. It turned out to be a 27″ keeper walleye. That made my day, so a good time was had by all.

Report submitted by Tom Pollack

British Columbia

Vancouver

Peter with a double header early in his trip!

Peter with a double header early in his trip!

Overall fishing has been good this past week with a few great bite windows sprinkled in. We saw some consistent fishing around the harbor and if you are there at the right time, it’s on! We saw a few bigger fish in Howe Sound which should remain productive for another month. The Gulf Islands continues to provide some solid opportunity for chinook and ling cod/rock cod on our longer 10 hour days. The gulf Islands can be one of the most productive fisheries of the year which runs from May-June. The commercial crabbing typically starts in early June after which we stop dropping traps, so now is the ideal time to get out on the water.

For more info call Jeff or Jason at Bon Chovy Fishing Charters (604) 763-5460,bonchovy.com email: info@bonchovy.com. 

Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound

There have been some unseasonably large Chinook taken this past week and most have been caught very close to the harbor—in fact the Red Can which sits just outside the harbor has been the hotspot the past few days. Chinook are also being caught in many different areas including the Lighthouse Bank, Inside South and even Big Bank. The largest Chinook though have been caught right outside the harbor. But as we all know, you don’t know where the fish are going to be from day to day. The fish are biting in all parts of the day and lately it has been slightly better around the tides, whether morning or afternoon. Some of the big fish have been caught in the afternoon. It can baffle many fisherman coming from different areas to find that fish around Ucluelet don’t seem to follow the “early morning” rules.

Halibut fishing has not yet picked up to our summer standards. There are halibut being caught, but not yet in consistently good numbers which is somewhat normal for fishing this time of year. Instead we have been fishing ling cod and red snapper—which I actually like better. There is nothing like a fresh ling cod fillet in just plain flour and butter.

If you are looking to come during summer months I would suggest booking your accommodation very soon or you can do one of our packages. This is the busiest summer I have seen for booking accommodation.

Submitted by Sam Vandervalk of Salmon Eye Charters (1-877-777-4344). Salmon Eye is recommended by USA Today, Cruise America and New York Times bestselling author Peter Greenberg in his book The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to the Greatest Experiences Around the World.

Bamfield

no report this week

Becher Bay

Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the salmon caught this past week were hatchery springs from 6 -10 lbs. That said, there were some larger clipped fish around. A 19.4 lb hatchery spring was caught by the Trap Shack as well as a couple of others in the teens. There have also been quite a few larger wild spring that had tto be released. The best depths for trolling have been from 60 – 100 feet on the downrigger. Aldridge Point to Beechey Head was been the best area. More 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 No Bananas or Outfitters’ colours have been very effective. For flashers, the Red Glow Hot Spot, Lemon Lime and Green/Glow Hot Spot. Lots of halibut were seen at Cheanuh Marina this past weekend. One was a 55 lb fish that was caught on a hootchy while trolling for salmon near Aldridge Point.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Oak Bay

Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. There are hatchery springs into the teens on the Flats but the fishing has been inconsistent. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 65 to 140 feet, depending on where the feed is located. Most 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.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Pedder Bay

Pedder Bay Marina reports BETTER salmon fishing than last week. The most productive area was from Whirl Bay to the Bedford Islands. It was slower inside Pedder Bay. Most anglers are still using artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom, but anchovies are also producing well. 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. 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 weekend as lots of fish were caught. Trevor Sedonic landed a 67.8 lb halibut near Race Rocks to take over 4th spot on our leader board. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well were 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 week. The Sidney anglers held their annual Spring Derby on the 21st. Winner of the derby was Anglers using spoons found silver 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.

There has been a new fishing regulation put in place for the Sidney area starting May 8th. The daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day of which only one (1) chinook may be greater than 67 cm. The minimum size limit for chinook salmon in these waters is 62 cm.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Sooke

The salmon fishing has been SLOW TO FAIR for springs. Most of the hatchery fish are running from 6 to 10 lbs in size. Also, some of the salmon are being caught at summertime depths (50-80 feet). The best fishing has been near Muir Creek and just out from the harbour. With the current chinook restrictions in place, it makes little sense to travel west to Sherringham Point. About half of the anglers are using artificial lures and the Skinny G needlefish spoon in the Outfitters color scheme has been the most effective spoon. The other half of the anglers is using bait, and anchovies are the most popular natural bait. 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, Lemon/Lime or Bon Chovi Flasher. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been effective recently. Halibut fishing has fair west of Sooke.

The Sooke Salmon Series Halibut Derby was held this past weekend. Thirty four salmon were weighed in at the derby First place went to Mike chips with a 68.26 lb halibut caught near Race Rocks. Second place went to Pat Thompson for a 60.84 lb halibut. Third place went to Drew Ferrara for a 55.92 lb halibut.

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 SPOTTY this past week. Constance Bank was the best area when the tides and currents weren’t ripping. This past Friday was particularly good as our guides caught limits with several fish into the upper teens. Along the waterfront the salmon fishing has been very slow. Best areas for salmon have been Albert Head, Brotchie Ledge and Clover Point. Look for some of the salmon to be at summer depths now. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups. Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have brought some hookups.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. The halibut have been fairly deep with depths of over 300 feet the most productive. 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 GOOD in most lakes for trout and bass.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Oregon

Tillamook Bay

no report this week

Willamette River

no report this week

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan

no report this week

Report submitted by Jim Hirt at Blue Max Chaters (414-828-1094). 

Salmon University Staff
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