Fishing Reports for January 3
This week’s cover image is an archival photo from Mark Gavin.
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
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.
OUTBOARD MOTORS FOR SALE: 9.9 2010 MERCURY 4 STROKE MOTORS. $850 WELL MAINTAINED FROM OUR BOAT AND MOTOR RENTAL FLEET. (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 SLOWER these past two weeks. 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 but not as many anglers are fishing there. 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 up to 13 lbs coming in from the Gap but few 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. Both Pedder Bay and Whirl Bay have been productive locations to fish. 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 FAIR in the Sidney area. Anglers have had success catching keeper springs up to 10 lbs from the Red Can in Sidney Channel, Coal island and Moses Point. There is 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 has been FAIR over the last two weeks. Most of the fish were from 6 to 8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one. The best locations to fish for winter springs have been from Secretary island westward 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 Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 3.5″ G Force spoons have been good. Anchovies are still a popular choice but with all the small fish around not too many 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.
The Sooke Saltwater Series Boxing Day salmon derby was once again a big success. The derby winner was Emma Goodley who caught a 15.32 lb spring. Second place went to Terry Dobson with a 13.5 lb spring. Third place went to Chris Wilson who caught a 12.04 lb spring. This derby marked the end of the 2017 fishing derby series and the overall winner for the year was Ryan Chamberland. More details about the derbies and the series can be found on their website.
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 off the waterfront recently. Constance Bank has been the best spot to fish and anglers were salmon weighing from 4 to 8 lbs while trolling just off the bottom in 85 to 140 feet of water. Closer in, some salmon were caught off Clover Point, the Flagpole and Macaulay Point. In those locations the best depths to fish were 120-140 feet. 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
Sklyler Kaplanchuk recently caught this nice bass.
Bass fishing is SLOW. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well at times. Soft plastics rigged “Texas Style” are also a good choice when fishing drop offs and deeper structure. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
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 ...
