Fishing Reports for May 1
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
The all-depth halibut fishery will be open May 2, 5, 9, 12, 24 and 26 as long as there is sufficient quota. If quota remains after May 26, the Columbia River subarea would be open two days per week, Thursday and Sunday, until the remaining quota is achieved. The nearshore area opens to fishing May 6 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at the WDFW website. The all depth-fishery will be managed to 14,627 pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
The all-depth halibut fishery will be open May 2, 5, 9, 12, and 24 as long as there is sufficient quota. If sufficient quota remains, the northern nearshore area will open on the Saturday after the all-depth fishery closes and will continue seven days per week until the overall quota is taken. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available online at the WDFW website. This area will be managed to an overall quota of 62,896 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Marine areas 3 will open May 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 24, 26, June 6, 8, 20, and 22, as long as there is sufficient quota. The combined quota for MA3 and MA4 is 128,187 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
Marine areas 4 will open May 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 24, 26, June 6, 8, 20, and 22, as long as there is sufficient quota. The combined quota for MA3 and MA4 is 128,187 pounds.
Because halibut fisheries are managed to a quota, anglers should check the WDFW website to ensure a specific area is open prior to fishing.
Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.
SU Staff
Marine Area 5
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
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 closing out with very good overall fishing success. As of 5/1/19 area 11 closes until 7/1/19.
Area 13 is open for salmon fishing and recent reports indicate there has been fair success near Lyle Pt. off of Anderson Island and Pt. Gibson, the concrete dock area and of course the Green Pt. to Sand spit area.
All locations can be trolled but for Mooching and Jigging the Pt. Gibson and concrete dock locations are best.
Ling cod fishing opens 5/1/19 and runs through 6/15/19 the Tacoma Narrows is most popular along the Tacoma side shoreline on the tide changes.
For a more updated report call (253)404-3960.
There is no crabbing in MA 11 or 13
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. Please call ahead if there is wind or fog to see if rental boats are able to be out due to limited visibility. We have many items for those seeking gifts as well as gift cards. For more information call 253-404-3960.
Hours are 6 am to 8 pm 7 days a week. Tenants have until 8:30 pm for the elevators.
Point Defiance Marina Classes and Events at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO
Basic Fishing (Adult Age 15+) Saturday, May 25, 2019 10 am to 12 pm
ABC Boater’s Education – WA State Boater’s Card Qualified Wednesdays 7-9 pm May 1, 8,15,22,29, 2019
Monday/Thursday 7-9 pm June 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 2019
PD Marina Spring Swap Meet Saturday, May 4, 2019 10 am to 3 pm Free to shop- Boating and fishing items as well as other swap meet booths
Point Defiance Marina Summer Sails and Trails Camp Sign Ups Open Now
Ages 11-15
July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29 to Aug 2, 2019
M-F 8 am to 5 pm
Cost $265 per week
Participants spend the week fishing at PD Marina, Trails and Beach hikes at Point Defiance Park, with afternoons at Tacoma Youth Marine Center Sailing and Introduction to Kayaking.
One afternoon is at Foss Waterfront Seaport Center learning marine and environmental education.
More info genea@tacomaparks.com. To register MetroParksTacoma.org/GO (253)305-1022
Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Gene Anderson, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 genea@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Marine Area 12
no report this week
Freshwater – Greys Harbor Rivers
no report this week
British Columbia
Bamfield
no report this week
Barkley Sound, Port Alberni, and Ucluelet
We are approaching a new Saltwater Sport Fishing season. With the many changes that are occurring in British Columbia and in regard to sport fishing regulations for anglers it seems that the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound will be two of the areas that sport fishing will continue as it historically has in past. Chinook and Coho fishing in Barkley Sound right to the surf line will continue, at this time, throughout the 2019 summer months with limits of two Chinook and two Coho salmon. The West Coast Vancouver Island returns of Chinook and Coho salmon in 2019 are expected to be historically “very high”. This is very good news for anglers and for the community of Port Alberni. Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet is not quite as prolific as it was looking just a few short months ago. The early season forecasts are predicting that Sockeye returns to the Somass River system will be from Four Hundred Thousand to Four hundred and thirty thousand pieces. With the current environmental conditions Sockeye Fishing for sport anglers should get underway by Fathers-Day Weekend in the Alberni Inlet. Possession limits if all goes well to the fishery plan will be possession limits of two sockeye salmon per day. Usually Sport Sockeye fishing continues through July followed in early August by Chinook and Coho fishing. The Chinook and Coho opportunities in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound in August and early September should be spectacular.
May is the month that most sport fishermen prepare their boats and gear for the anticipated sport fishing season. It is also the month that most get out on the water and enjoy their first sport fishing opportunities in saltwater locations. In May, the migrating “early summer Chinook” head toward the big watersheds to the south swim down the coast close to the beach. Barkley Sound (Area 23) is one of those areas along the rugged coast line of British Columbia that has water which is very well protected and sport fisher people have opportunity to fish pretty much 12 months of the year.
With improved weather conditions and the change in winds, it’s also when offshore halibut fishing opportunities intensify. In May we will concentrate on Halibut fishing which will intensify as these fish migrate to the sandy bottoms of the close by banks out on the offshore areas.
Barkley Sound is full of bait fish which range from needle fish, herring, and anchovy. With these sources of food in “Area 23” waters good-sized schools of salmon swim into the area and feed heavily on these rich nutrient sources. Sometimes, the salmon will rest and gorge themselves for days before continuing the journey to their natal rivers and streams. Often May and early June will see good-sized schools of salmon lingering inside the surf line areas like Cree Island, Austin Island, and Meares. Edward King Island and Kirby Point are two other great sport fishing locations. Depending on the bait sources these migratory salmon can come right to Swale Rock and as far as Pill Point to feed on the bait fish before heading back to the open ocean. Early-season salmon are usually in water ranging from 80 to 130 feet. A variety of spoons in chrome and favorites like cookies and cream, Irish cream, and a few of the 3-inch needlefish spoons and the chartreuse and white glow will work very well.
Anglers normally have the best success around the Ucluelet Harbor Islands and in Barkley Sound using anchovy in chartreuse, green glow, green haze, and purple haze Rhys Davis teaser heads behind either green, blue, or purple hotspot flashers. Four-inch and three-and-a-half-inch spoons in Irish cream and cookies and cream, gold and silver gold star spoons, and needlefish, especially the b-149, are all excellent choices on the troll.
Trout fishing (rainbow & cutthroat) in the two big lakes—Sproat and Great Central—are very productive in the spring months. Gear fishermen in the spring often use Flatfish wiggling plugs while fly fishers will cast, or troll the dark purple carrie fly, the black woolly bugger, or the crystal hair black leach.
For more information and/or reservations, call Doug Lindores at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (250) 723-2435; (250)724-2502; cell (250)731-7389 or 1-877-214-7206 www.catchsalmon.ca or www.catchsalmon-ca.com; dlindy@shaw.ca. The cover image of this week’s report was also contributed by Lindores. It shows Jin from Ontario.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing had been FAIR near Becher Bay until the chinook retention closure. The best fishing was inside the bay between Creyke Point and Hoskyn Point (the flagpole) and off Aldridge Point. Anglers were mostly using spoons for lures, but many were switching over to anchovies. Good spoons have been Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and Coyotes with green in the colour mix. Anchovies were working too and good colours for teaser heads were Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Needlefish hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, the Bon Chovy, and Gold Fever Hot Spot flashers had 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
Fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay until the chinook retention closure. We did hear that there were a few boats practicing catch & release during the week. Anglers had reported springs on the Flats in 100-140 depths on the Flats. Trollers had been catching the salmon trolling small spoons; Coho killers, Wee G’s and 3” AP Tackleworks Miki Blue Herring spoons. Most of the anglers have been bottom bouncing spoons and squirts close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay trolling lures were Wee Gs, Coho Killers and 3“AP Tackleworks Miki Blue Herring spoons. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers had been having some success near Brodie Rock using Deep Stingers and Point Wilson Darts.
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 reported FAIR salmon fishing at Pedder Bay until the chinook retention closure. Whirl Bay was slightly better than Pedder Bay. Coyote style spoons had been working well as the fish are targeting herring more than needlefish. Anchovies in green glow teaser had also been effective. Good choices for teaser head colors are Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were working with green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white good color choices. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Bon Chovy 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 until the chinook retention closure. Most anglers had been using Skinny Gee spoons or anchovies. Suggested spoons are Coho Killers, Gibbs Skinny G and Wee G spoons and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons. Suggested colours are Cop Car and Trap Shack. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good in Glow or UV Purple teaser heads.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Sooke
Salmon fishing had been FAIR until the chinook retention closure. We do not know of anyone who was out doing catch and release. The best salmon fishing had been near Secretary Island and Otter Point. The fish were close to the bottom in 100-150 feet depths. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good. Green and glow has been the hot color combination for spoons. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Anchovies and herring had been good as well. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Popular flashers had been the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, the Bon Chovy, the Madi and the Super Betsey.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Vancouver
Right on schedule, the South Bowen Chinook fishery has really perked up! Over the last few days there has been some explosive bites with very good numbers of legal and undersized chinook salmon.
Like every April around this time, the longer, warmer days trigger a plankton bloom in local waters. This change in the food web, causes the herring, anchovies and sticklebacks to push offshore. Where the bait fish go, the chinook will go and that is exactly what has happened! Depending on the day, the fish have been from tight to shore all the way out to the Hump. The QA and the Bell Buoy have also had some good periods of activity. This fishery will continue for the next 6 to 8 weeks. We can only hope it will finish as strong as it is starting.
We have been having our best success on spoons. G Force and Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons are doing the job nicely. Patterns like the Killy Mcgee, Herring Aide, Trailhead, Bon Chovy, Homeland Security, Irish Cream and Kitchen have all been deadly. No need for bait right now as the spoons are working just fine! The Madi Flasher and the Chartreuse Glow Phantoms have been really good flasher colours!
Crabbing has been good and prawning continues to be very good as well. If you want to drop prawn traps, an 8 hour trip is needed and needs to be requested at the time of booking. Now is the time to get out there!
Give us a call or an email 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.
Victoria
Salmon fishing was GOOD at Constance Bank until the chinook retention closure. The salmon were hugging the bottom and the bite came on as the flood tide started. Closer in along the waterfront it was SLOW for springs with the most productive area being from Esquimalt to Brotchie Ledge. Anglers had been trolling close to the bottom in 80 to 140 feet of water. Anchovies and herring had been working the best and glow teaser heads were better than the non glow colours. Spoons had been working very well with Skinny G’s and Coho Killers in Irish Cream, Outfitters and the AP Tackleworks 3” herring spoon good choices.
Dan Findlow, one of our guides, took out some clients for halibut on Monday and they quickly caught two off Albert Head. With time still left on the charter, they trolled spoons at Constance Bank for two hours. In that time, they caught and released 17 chinooks, with most of the fish around 10 lbs., and with a few both larger and smaller. There were multiple double headers and 16 out of the 17 were hatchery marked salmon. Dan said that there were so many fish that it didn’t matter what spoon you used on the actively feeding fish.
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 for trout and EXCELLENT for bass.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.
Vancouver
no report this week
Oregon
Tillamook Bay
no report this week
Willamette River
no report this week
Great Lakes
no report this week