Fishing Reports for October 18
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
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)
no report this week
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
The salmon fishing remains fair but has changed as the mature Chinook and Coho are now in the rivers and streams with the exception of a few mature Coho.
The focus has started to shift to immature Chinook (Blackmouth) with good success, trolling flasher and artificial squid or spoons are popular at depths of 120’ to 150’ in water from 130’ to 160’.
For those of you that prefer to jig or mooch there is good opportunity there as well.
There are some under sized Chinook around as well so be careful when releasing these salmon.
The Squid fishing seems to be best at high tide off the pier and is even better if that is just before sundown. It looks like another good Squid year.
Boat fishing for squid is best in 80-120 feet of water just off the bottom. For the latest report updates call (253)591-5325
Learn fall fishing opportunities and how to pursue them: Squid Fishing Class October 21, 2017 or December 2, 2017 -Saturday from 4-6 pm Ages 8+ /Adults Cost $15
Fall Fishing Class November 11, 2017 Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon Adults age 15+ Cost $15, Sign Up at 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
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 – McGinnis Lake
For much of the summer the Okanogan lay brown, burnt to a crisp by 100 plus days without rain, and weeks upon weeks of 90 degree plus weather. Fall came quickly and painted the hillsides in the fiery red of sumac, bright gold aspen, and amber alder. Another color change is taking place on the Brook Trout that lurk in McGinnis Lake. Shedding their pale summer colors their mouths darken into a toothy inky abyss, their belly’s burn orange, and red speckles burn with a blue halo like some distant star going supernova.
I’d been waiting all summer with great anticipation at the opportunity to target these fish. Quality Brook Trout fisheries are hard to come by in Washington state. Victims of the state’s native fish only focus limits of Brookies have been lifted and stocking of these fish has fallen by the wayside even in lakes where they pose minimal ecological risk. Yet nestled in foothills of Okanogan highlands you’ll find a little lake not far off the beaten path, McGinnis Lake. Here the Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife maintains one of the state’s best Brook Trout fisheries that routinely produces fish in the 2-4 lb range, trophy Brook Trout by Pacific Northwest standards.
The forecast called for sunshine but we greeted by dark moisture laden clouds clawing their way through the Columbia River valley and scraping their way over the hills shedding intermittent showers of light rain and sleet on us. Air temps predicted to hit 50 F never climbed much above 40 F while water temps still hovered just below 60 F.
Locating trout was not difficult as fish could be seen periodically breaking the surface in pursuit of subsurface aquatic insect. Focusing on areas of submerged weed beds in 8-15′ of water we quickly began connecting with fish. Small copper or rainbow trout patterned spinners and spoons presented slowly were key. Several times fish were taken on the fall of the initial cast or during long pauses on the retrieve.
In the end we each caught 12-15 fish with several fish pushing 2 lbs. Undoubtedly, I will return in hopes of connecting with some larger fish that I have only seen haunting other angler’s cell phones. If you have not connected with a Brookie in the state this is an ideal location conveniently located near many of the state’s other premier trout, kokanee, and walleye.
Report submitted by Tyler Hicks, Cascadia Kayak Angler, North 40 Outfitters – Fishing, spiltmilt@gmail.com, 509-422-9840. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Hicks.
Freshwater – Omak Lake
The southeast Washington chapter of Heroes on the Water met at Omak Lake for a day of fishing. Heroes on the Water is an organization that takes veterans out kayak fishing for a day. We provide them with kayaks, tackle, and feed them for the day. We had eleven veterans out on the water accompanied by nine volunteers primarily fishing Mission Bay to avoid the strong south winds out on the main lake.
Numerous fish were caught with some fish pushing 23″ in size. Anglers caught fish on everything from blue and black Vibric spinners, spoons, Maglips, and Seahawk Mini Cutplugs. Tackle was donated by Yakima Bait Company and Brad’s Killer Fishing Gear. Fish were primarily associated shorelines and shelves where clouds of chub and shiner fry could be observed. Most participants caught between 6 and 15 fish but some caught over 30 fish. Hot food was provided at the lakeshore by North 40 Outfitters that also covered the cost of tribal fishing licenses for the day.
Report submitted by Tyler Hicks, Cascadia Kayak Angler, North 40 Outfitters – Fishing, spiltmilt@gmail.com, 509-422-9840. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Hicks.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
The duck season started off with great success here at Potholes. It was as if record numbers of duck arrived; the best shooting was back in the dunes accessed by hunters with pumps on their boats that let them run in very skinny water. What I see was a good number of wigeon and teal taken. We are seeing frost every morning and that will trigger larger ducks to arrive. The lake is still very low so you have too know just where you are running. Lots of hunters camped out in the dunes for several days before hunting started. With a lot of corn in the fields there was a good abundance of geese but you have to do your homework to access these fields. Outlook looks very good for water fowl hunters.
Fishermen are finding limited walleye and a good population of bluegill. There are hundreds of humps in the lake and you might have to locate by moving until you find one holding fish. Mark it and fish around it. Blue gill along perch and crappie will make up a nice bag of fish. Also the same thing is true in some of the lakes below potholes like Soda, Long and Lower Goose lakes. The wind is forecast so plan for some wind and rain this weekend but do not miss out.
Submitted by Tom Pollack (retired)
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, and Ucluelet
no report this week
Bamfield
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was PRETTY SLOW this past week for coho. There was a small coho derby at Cheanuh marina and it was won by Harvey Fairfield with an 8 lb coho. The best fishing was in the 500+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. Spoons and hootchies have been catching most of the coho with green being the most important color on the lure. Spring fishing has really slowed down. Anchovies are the most popular bait for springs while. Good teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, Mint Pearl and Chartreuse. The best color combinations for spoons have lots of green on the spoon. For flashers, the GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters and Lemon Lime, Silver Fever Hot Spot and Big Shooter Betsey have been working well.
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 DEAD SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were very few salmon coming in from the Flats and the Gap. There was lots of bait on the Flats but not many salmon. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.
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 OFF & ON salmon fishing. The coho salmon has definitely slowed down. With the coho, you were either in them or not. You just had to search for the schools and then try to stay with them. Spoons are producing well for salmon, especially the smaller ones around 3.5- 4 inches. The most popular spoons have been Skinny G’s, Left Coast Hammers, AP Tackleworks herring and Coho Killers. Spring fishing has been SLOW with most of the fish shakers or just barely legal size. Hoochies and squirts with a green and glow, or UV white have been popular color choices for plastic baits this week. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sidney
Salmon fishing was SLOW in the Sidney area. There were some 6- 9 lb springs caught in the deeper sections of Sidney channel near the Red Can and the Powder Wharf. It’s been very slow near Pender Island. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most productive spoons this past week. Suggested colours are Trap Shack and Bon Chovy. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in UV Purple. Anglers jigging were also catching some fish.
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 SLOW this past week. Coho salmon fishing is the main focus of local anglers. Chum salmon fishing is picking up though. Spring fishing has really slowed down. There have been lots of salmon jumping by the entrance to the basin but they have not been hitting lures very well. The best locations to fish for coho and chum have been Possession Point, Otter Point and Muir Creek and close to the creek mouths. Spoons have been good for catching coho and Coho Killers, AP Tackleworks and Skinny G’s have been good. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait, with anchovies being the most popular choice. Good choices for teaser head colors are chartreuse and Bloody Nose. For flashers, the Delta Guide Series, Moon Jelly Hot Spot and Betsey have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are usually the top colors.
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 off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank. There were springs there but they were mostly winter springs and not very large. At least half wee below the minimum size for retention. The best fishing for coho was SLOW as well. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with 4” AP Tackleworks Moonglow Herring spoons, Irish Cream Skinny G’s and Green/Glow Coyote spoons good choices.
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 FAIR in most lakes for trout and GOOD for bass.
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
You may also be interested in ...
