Fishing Reports for December 20
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 for immature Chinook with most of the retainable salmon in the 4lb. to 6lb. weight range remember you may only retain hatchery chinook 22” or longer and carefully release any adipose fin unclipped or under sized chinook. Fish are being caught primarily at the Clay Banks trolling 120-150 feet, or jigging, and some mooching off the bottom. Trollers are using flasher and squid. Watch for the winds and be aware of the seals that seem to be getting few anglers fish once hooked.
Squid fishing remains slow but has occasional schools come through and then picks up. The Squid fishing seems to be best at high tide off the pier and is even better if that is just before sundown. Boat fishing for squid is best in 50-100 feet of water just off the bottom. For the latest report updates call (253)591-5325.
There will be no winter Dungeness crabbing this winter in MA 11.
Squid Fishing Class January 13, 4-6 pm Ages 8+ Cost $15 Learn the fundamentals of squid fishing to include regulations, tackle, equipment, rigging, catching, cleaning and cooking. More information (253)591-5325. Squid will all but have tapered off so we will focus on preparations for 2018 fall season and making jigs
Polar Bear Plunge January 1, 2018 11:30 am at Point Defiance Marina Boat Launch. Free BECU and Bloodworks NW Sponsor T shirt (400) and hot beverages and snack bars. Volunteers Needed; email genea@taaomcparks.com.
Crabbing is closed until further notice on a winter crabbing in January, 2018
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. We have many items for those seeking gifts as well as gift cards. For more information call 253-591-5325.
Hours are 6:30 am to 5 pm 7 days a week currently.
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 – Grays Harbor Rivers
no report this week
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
no report this week
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
no report this week
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 GOOD this past week. Anglers have been having their best success from Whirl Bay to the Bedfords. Some springs were also caught in the Bay between Frazer Island and Cheanuh Marina. Vern Storey landed a 10 and 12 lb springs in the bay during the week. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 120 to 160 depths. The majority of anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers, Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, Madi, Lemon Lime and Green/Glow Hot Spot have been working well. White hootchies have also been good Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits.
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 SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the Gap but little from the Flats. The salmon are feeding on needle fish 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. Best bets for Oak Bay lures are needlefish spoon and squirts.
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 GOOD fishing. It is still slower inside the bay than around the corner in Whirl Bay and near Church Rock. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 120 – 160 feet of water. The salmon have been from 4 to 8 lbs in size with the occasional larger fish. Spoons have been producing the best and the Skinny G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the color choice in spoons. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow, or UV white have been popular color choices for plastic baits. 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 GOOD in the Sidney area. Anglers have had success catching keeper springs up to 13 lbs near the Powder Wharf. The salmon have been right on the bottom in 80 – 90 foot depths there. The salmon have been throughout the area reports of fish also coming from the Red Can in Sidney Channel, Coal island and Moresby Island. There is lots of bait in the area so the fish should be holding there for awhile. There are still many undersized salmon in the area. Anglers using spoons found that Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and 3.5″ G Force spoons the most productive 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 Glow or UV Purple.
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 REALLY GOOD this past week according to one of the local guides. Most of the fish were from 6 to 8 lbs in size and there were plenty of them. The best locations to fish for winter springs have been from the Bluffs west to Muir Creek. Most of the fish are quite close to the bottom in 100 – 140 feet of water. The most productive lure combo was a White hootchy fished behind a Red/Gold flasher. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Spoons such as Coho Killers, Skinny G’s, and 3.5″ G Force spoons have been good. Anchovies are still a popular choice but with all the small fish around not too may anglers are fishing them. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. For flashers, Red/Gold Hot Spots, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Madi and the Lemon Lime Chartreuse are good choices.
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 GOOD off the waterfront this past week. Constance Bank was the best spot to fish and anglers were catching lots of salmon weighing from 4 to 8 lbs there. Closer in, some salmon were caught off Clover Point and Macaulay Point. In those locations the best depths to fish were 120-140 feet. Wayne Zaccarelli landed a 10½ lb spring off Macaulay and we heard of a 12½ lb spring from near Clover Point. We also heard of a couple of keepers caught near Macauley Point. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Green/Glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 4” spoons and Green/Glow Coyote spoons popular 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 SLOW 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