Fishing Reports for June 9, 2021

By on June 8, 2021
Port Alberni sockeye

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

no report this week

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

no report this week

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

no report this week

Marine Area 12

no report this week

Freshwater – Grays Harbor Rivers

no report this week

British Columbia

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is no longer providing printed BC Sport Fishing Guides from previous years or link to access an online PDF version.

Interest in the Guides has diminished and there is an increasing gap between the information in the paper guides and the actual online fishing regulations.

For current fishing regulations in your area, please see the online Sport Fishing Guide at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact your local fisheries office at: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/regions/pacific-pacifique-eng.html

Bamfield, Barkley Sound, Port Alberni, & Ucluelet

June is a wonderful month for salmon sport fishing in Barkley Sound and “most” years the Alberni Inlet. Many anglers enjoy fishing the areas of Barkley Sound not only because of the wonderful salmon fishing opportunity but also because of the breath-taking scenic views of rugged coastline. June is a month unlike July and August when there are fewer fisher people on the water making fishing conditions much more relaxing. The Alberni Inlet can be quite the opposite in June when most years there are large gatherings of sport boats fishing for Sockeye Salmon. The 2021 sport fishing season will see boat traffic in the Alberni Inlet as Sockeye migrating back to the Somass River system are expected to be moderate in number. Pre-Season forecasts are predicting about 350,000 returning Somass River Sockeye. Until the 14th of June 2021 sport fishermen fishing tidal waters are able to retain two Sockeye salmon per day. There will be many test fisheries with detailed reports regarding any change in returning numbers. Later in June the retention number may increase if the return looks stronger than anticipated. The Sockeye will move through the fish ways and sit in either Sproat or Great Central Lake for the summer months before moving into the various streams to spawn in the fall.
The West Coast Vancouver Island 2021 Chinook return looks relatively strong. The 2021 forecast return for Stamp River Chinook to the terminal areas of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet is approximately 133,000 pieces. The age class of the returning salmon are age three at 23%, age four at 62% and age five at 15%. The West Coast returns usually begin to show in numbers along the surf line of Barkley Sound close to the end of July. With a very healthy age class return the sport fishing in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet should be “first class” with some very nice sized salmon in the mix.
Salmon fishing during the spring months in Barkley Sound and the area close to the Ucluelet Harbor has been consistent. Anglers have targeted transient Chinook salmon headed to the big watersheds to the south and also local feeder Chinook. Barkley Sound has ample rich nutrient bait fish which bring the fish migrating down the coastline into rest and feed heavily before continuing their lengthy journey. June is also a time when the first migrating Coho are in the Sound and surf line locations. Coho at this time of year feed aggressively and often gain a pound per week before reaching their natal streams in the early fall. Coho salmon limits in Barkley Sound are currently two per day in which one Coho can be unmarked. Beginning on August 1st 2021 Coho limits in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet will become four in which one Coho can be unmarked.
Often the best salmon fishing during June is along the many surf line areas. Cree and Austin Islands, Sail Rock, Great Bear, Meares, Swale Rock, Edward King, the Bamfield Wall and Beale can produce some excellent Chinook weighing from the mid teens to the mid twenty-pound range. The Bamfield Wall, Swale Rock and even as far in as the Pill Point area can have fantastic fishing opportunities for Chinook Salmon and also Coho that can often average six to eight pounds. Some of the current years best sport salmon fishing has been around Austin, Meares and Swale Rock. The salmon in June are feeding heavily as they do have a long journey in their migration to their natal streams, rivers and creeks. Many Anglers will use anchovy in a variety of different colored teaser heads.  The best teaser head colors are usually chartreuse, green haze, army truck glow, cop car, and purple haze. Needle fish hootchies, octopus and cuttlefish hootchies in green, white and even blue and white colors are excellent choices. The salmon close to Bamfield have been feeding heavily on squid and bigger herring. White hootchies in Octopus or cuttlefish have worked well. Spoons in a variety of colors (cookies and cream and herring aid) in the three to four-inch size are also a wonderful choice. Many anglers who have been fishing Meares, Austin and Cree have found a variety of spoons as the best lure. For some the Coho Killers in Cookies and Cream have worked well for salmon in the eight to twelve-pound range and fishing from sixty-five to ninety feet. Others have done well on skinny G spoons and also spoons as small as the two-inch Silver Night Herring Aid. Those who have had great success around Swale Rock have been fishing on the front side of the rock from 100 to 135 feet.
Halibut fishing in June can be very productive. Fisher persons anchoring out will use Octopus, salmon bellies, and sardines. Others will back-drift and use Berkley Grubs.
2021 will be a great sport fishing year in Pacific Rim Areas.  Sockeye, Chinook and Coho opportunities with the predicted returns make for the possibilities of a fantastic sport fishing year.
Submitted by Doug Lindores, Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (888) 214-7206 dlindy@shaw.ca; www.catchsalmon-ca.com

The cover image of this week’s report was also contributed by Doug Lindores… “Hanna fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and had a great morning of Sockeye fishing”…

Becher Bay

Salmon anglers were having GOOD success catching hatchery marked springs up to 19 lbs within Becher Bay north of Fraser Island. Cheanuh marina also reported that coho fishing has been EXCELLENT between Aldridge Point and Beechey Head. The coho are still relatively small, under 5 lbs in weight. One pink salmon was also caught this past week. The DFO is closely monitoring the chinook retention allowed area with spotting scopes and plane and drone surveillance. Halibut fishing was VERY GOOD this past weekend with some boats bringing in limits. Lingcod anglers were catching fish when jigging near Aldridge Point. Crabbing has been GOOD inside the bay.
The fishery notice for the retention only area states, “that portion of Subarea 20-5 northerly of a line drawn from 48°19.554’N, 123°37.768’W to 48°19.589’N, 123°36.533’W, then following the shoreline of Frazer Island east to the RCA boundary at 48°19.700’N, 123°36.267’W, then to 48°19.633’N, 123°35.681’W; and effective immediately to 23:59 hours July 31, 2021, one (1) Chinook per day hatchery-marked only.” Anglers wee having some success with hatchery marked springs up to 18 lbs being caught on the weekend. The DFO is closely monitoring the area with plane and drone surveillance.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.

Oak Bay

Halibut, Lingcod and Rockfish fishing was FAIR near Oak Bay. Crabbing has been SLOW in the Oak Bay and Cadboro Bay area. Some anglers are having good success catch and release fishing for chinooks on the Flats. Most of the springs have been from 8-12 pounds and about 80% of the salmon are hatchery marked. This is usually one of the best months for salmon fishing in Oak Bay.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.  

Pedder Bay

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week this past week. The most productive halibut areas were straight out from William Head and the East Race. Most of the halibut were small, from 15-30 lbs in size. Crabbing has been SLOW. It was also reported that fishing was SLOW for chinooks in the area and there no retention is allowed in this area.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.

Sidney

Bottom fishing was FAIR this past week. We also heard of successful catch and release fishing for chinooks near Coal Island, Sidney Spit, Hambley Point and the Powder Wharf, Jigging has been the most successful method for salmon fishing. Crabbing was SLOW but prawning has been GOOD.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.

Sooke

Halibut fishing was GOOD, with the best action coming from west of Sooke. Otter Point, Muir Creek and Jordan River produced a few fish. Crabbing has been SPOTTY in the basin.
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

Victoria

Halibut fishing was GOOD off the waterfront with the slower currents The best areas to fish were Constance Bank, the Mud Hole, and Trial Island. Most anglers are fishing in over 300 feet of water for the big flatfish. Catch and release salmon fishing was GOOD along the waterfront and at Constance Bank with some of the fish in the mid-teens. Crabbing is FAIR.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com.

Lakes and Rivers

Fishing has been EXCELLENT for trout and bass.
Cowichan River
Trout fishing has been GOOD. Insect hatches are occurring frequently. Rolled Muddlers and nymphs have been good flies for searching patterns. If you match the hatch with dry flies you’ll have a lot of fun.
 
Trout
Trout fishing has been EXCELLENT at local lakes as we enter the prime time for trout fishing. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms fished just off the bottom. White, Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are mostly fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Chironomid patterns. Chironomid hatches have been happening at most lakes. Trollers are catching the most trout with worms fished on Gibbs Wedding Bands fished behind Gang Trolls. Tomic Plugs in 2”-3” sizes have also been working well for trout at Cowichan Lake. Ryan Arsenych caught a limit of rainbow trout weighing 2, 1.11, 1.10 and 1.4 lbs in Prospect Lake using a Gang Troll and worms. Dawsyn White, 2 ½ years old, caught her first trout at Lookout Lake. Dawsyn had help casting but hooked and landed it herself.
Here is the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC spring stocking report for the Greater Victoria area. On May 20th, Elk Lake received 500 trout averaging 207.4g in size. On May 17th, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 205.5g in size. On May 5th, Langford Lake received 1,200 trout and Lookout Lake 250 trout averaging 235.98g in size. On April 30th, Elk Lake received 1,507 trout averaging 219.11g in size. On April 22nd, Lanford Lake received 1,500 trout, Durrance Lake 1,000 trout and Glen Lake 500 trout averaging 202.01g in size. On April 21st, Elk Lake received 1,993 trout averaging 227.43g in size. On April 20th, both Prospect and Elk lakes received 1,500 trout, Ida Anne Lake 150 trout and Colwood and Poirier Lakes 150 trout averaging 220.64 g in size. On April 14th, Spectacle Lake received 1,000 trout averaging 209.07g in size. On April 13th, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 218.67 g in size. On April 9th, Prospect Lake received 1,800 trout, Durrance Lake 1,000 trout and Thetis Lake 500 trout averaging 218.67 g in size. On April 7th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout, Langford Lake 1,500 trout and Colwood Lake 200 trout with a 194.93 g average size. On March 10th, Dougan Lake received 1,000 trout and Shawnigan Lake 600 trout averaging 232.77g in size. On March 1st, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout and Glen Lake 500 trout averaging 259.23g in size. On March 3rd, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 228.72 g in size. There were no trout releases this past week in the South Island.
To find out about fish stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx
 
Bass
Bass fishing continues to heat up as fish can be found in pre spawn, spawning and post spawn behaviors. Big Largemouth and Smallmouth bass have been quite active and four pound plus fish are being caught daily. Hot lakes continue to be Quennell, Langford and Prospect Lakes. Elk/Beaver lake has slowed a bit due to the carp spawning. Topwater fishing is picking up and anglers are having good luck with wake baits, frogs and poppers, Subsurface soft plastics continue to trigger the most bites, with wacky and Texas rig worms at the top of the list.
The Canadian Bass Fishing League held the 2nd boater event of the 2021 season on Quennell lake and all the anglers came out swinging! There wasn’t much room for mistakes when all the teams had large, 5 fish limits of smallmouth bass. The CPR (catch, photo & release) team event saw multiple 90+ inch totals over the five fish limits. Big fish was a tie, with Justin Booth and Chris Haggerty both scoring 20.75-inch fish. All judging, registration and ceremonies were done virtually and all Covid protocols and recommendations were in place. Congratulations to all the winners and a great job to everyone out on the water. The hot baits were topwater frogs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and jigs. The 1st place team was Justin Booth / Tyrone Warth 96.25in *big fish 20 3/4in Justin Booth.  2nd place team was Chris Haggerty / Dave Pedersen 95.75 *big fish 20 3/4 Chris Haggerty.  3rd place team was Cory Cox / Cody Clifford 95.50in. Bass fishing on the Island has been good, with fish being caught in various stages As males are guarding fry, take cover on hot days, target lily pads and docks with plastics and hard baits.
Thanks go to Dave Pedersen for the bass update.
Freshwater Notable Catches
The Canadian Bass Fishing League held a fishing tournament on the weekend. The 1st place team was Justin Booth & Tyrone Warth. The 2nd place team was Chris Haggerty & Dave Pedersen. The 3rd place team was Cory Cox & Cody Clifford.
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

no report this week

Salmon University Staff
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