Fishing Reports – June 5, 2024
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
No report this week.
The halibut quota for MA1 this year is 18,112 lbs. of which about 11,100 lbs. remains as of June 1st.
Salmon fishing will open here seven days a week from June 22nd through September 30th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
June 1st was the opener for “all depths” Lingcod fishing and the fishing was down right outstanding.
The halibut quota for MA2 this year is 67,074 lbs. of which about 47,720 lbs. remains as of June 1st.
Salmon fishing will open here Sundays through Thursdays only, June 30th – July 11th, then open daily beginning July 14th – September 15th, or until the quota is met.
Report submitted by Mark Coleman, All Rivers & Saltwater Charters, 425-736-8920 mark@allwashingtonfishing.com www.allwashingtonfishing.com
Marine Area 3 (La Push)
Weather has been kinda bad the last few days, but was nice last Thursday – Saturday, fishing in a lot of spots closer to La Push have been kinda slow for halibut, fishing up in Marine Area 4 has been hot, but a long boat ride. I think there is a good chance of a summer halibut fishery in mid-August there should be lots of quota left. Halibut fishing is still slower than normal, but last year things picked up a lot in both size and quantity later, so there is good hope.
As far as the halibut quota goes we have lots left for a summer fishery again where we see a lot of bigger fish, not official but I expect a mid August opener and seven days a week.
We did catch a couple nicer halibut on Friday, a 52 and 47 pounder, pic below.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA3 and MA4 is 132,366 lbs. of which about 110,405 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Salmon fishing will open here seven days a week from June 22nd — September 15th, or until the quota is met.
Report submitted by Jim Richeson, Top Notch Ocean Charters, 360-374-2660 topnotchoceancharters@gmail.com www.topnotchoceancharters.com
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
*** The boat launch at Big Salmon is closed today – Wednesday June 5th for repaving, and will reopen at 4:30am on Thursday, June 6th. ***
Halibut, lingcod, and rockfish fishing continues to be good, though the wind has been an issue on some days. The halibut being caught are mostly smaller chickens (perfect eating), but we know of at least two larger halibut caught inshore, one at 70lbs and one at 130lbs. The nearshore rockfish and lingcod trips have been seeing limits being brought in on each trip. Black sea bass to 4lbs+ and lingcod to 35″ are being caught. There have been a number of canary rockfish being caught.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA3 and MA4 is 132,366 lbs. of which about 110,405 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Salmon fishing will open here seven days a week from June 22nd — September 15th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)
Halibut has picked up, with the occasional fish up to 50lbs. caught, mostly off Pillar Point. Lingcod and bottomfish fishing remains good.
Halibut is open here and is scheduled to be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish.
Rockfish fishing opened on May 1st as well, and is limited to black or blue/deacon rockfish, daily limit three fish west of Slip Point and one fish east of Slip Point.
Summer salmon fishing will open here seven days a week from July 1st — August 15th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca)
Halibut fishing has slowed down a bit. A few 100 lb. halibut have been caught in Sequim and we had a report that a 150 lb. fish was lost as well.
Halibut is open and is scheduled to be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
Summer salmon fishing will open here seven days a week from July 1st — August 15th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands)
Lingcod fishing continues to be good, with most folks limiting, using the usual suspects – leadhead jigs, pipe jigs, lancers, etc.
Halibut opened here on April 4th and will be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
Marine Area 8.1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, Skagit Bay)
No report this week.
Halibut opened here on April 4th and will be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
Marine Area 8.2 (Port Susan, Port Gardner)
We continue to get reports of limits of nice lingcod around Possession Bar – and not very picky about what they will eat, but lots of folks fishing lancers, etc. and some folks fishing live bait of various kinds.
The Tulalip Terminal Area fishery opened on May 24th, with a daily limit of (2) fish, and a minimum size on Chinook of 22″, with some nice fish being caught there, mostly on downriggers, flashers and spoons.
Halibut opened here on April 4th and will be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet)
We continue to get reports of limits of nice lingcod around Possession Bar – not very picky about what they will eat, but lots of folks fishing lancers, etc. and some folks fishing live bait of various kinds.
Halibut opened here on April 4th and will be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
Marine Area 10 (Seattle / Bremerton)
No report this week.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
The year-round piers in MA10 remain open to salmon fishing. The Agate Pass Area in Marine Area 10 remains open daily to catch-and-release fly fishing only through March 31.
Halibut opened here on April 4th and will be open through June 30th, seven days per week, one fish per day, six fish annual bag limit. The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remains, as of June 1st.
Marine Area 11 (Tacoma / Vashon Island)
No report this week.
The WDFW has announced that salmon fishing will open here on June 5th through June 30th, 2024. Details can be found in our article here.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish. Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)
Spot prawn fishing will be open here on June 15th. Shrimping was very productive at the last opener (May 30th), with reports of easy limits for the folks that made the effort to get out there.
MA12 is currently closed for salmon, lingcod, rockfish, and halibut. Salmon fishing should open July 10th.
Your options for now are limited to other flatfish (flounders, sole, sanddabs), or catch-and-release fishing for trout along the shorelines.
Report & pics submitted by Billy F. & the Moonlight crew – thank you!
Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound)
No report this week.
Lingcod fishing (hook and line) opened here on May 1st, with a slot limit between 26″ and 36″, daily limit 1 fish.
Salmon fishing is open here year-round. The daily limit is two fish, Chinook (minimum 22″) other species no size limit; release chum, unclipped coho, and unclipped Chinook.
Rockfish fishing is closed year-round.
British Columbia
A reminder for British Columbia anglers: All fishing and hunting licenses expired at the end of March, so be sure to get your new licenses before your next trip outdoors. Often there are changes in the regulations, so take some time to read and review the regulations before going out and accidentally getting into trouble. Saltwater anglers will find new regulations regarding crab and prawn floats and the conditions of license in effect. And be sure to carry BOTH pages of your new saltwater angling license.
Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for further fishing closures, regulations, and information for specific areas.
Bamfield, Barkley Sound, & Port Alberni
June is a fantastic month for Sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. The weather, water conditions, and fishing are usually perfect. In June most anglers in this area are excited about the return of Sockeye salmon to the Somass River system and the migration of Chinook salmon and Coho along the surf line of Barkley Sound and areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor Mouth. The sport fishing along the surf line has been very good. Sport Fishing opportunities in June are incredible. Sockeye returns in 2024 are predicted to be from 400,000 to 600,000 pieces. This return should provide for sport fishing opportunities to be FOUR Sockeye salmon per day. Sockeye fishing is a great opportunity for everyone and is a very comfortable angling opportunity for people of all ages. The best fishing areas for Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are from Nahmint and Ten Mile Point to Lone Tree. Underwood, the Narrows and Cous Creek will provide for some excellent angling. The best lures are mp hootchies in a bubble gum, pink-blue, or pink-black colors. Short leaders with a single black hook work as well. Putting out six to eight flashers behind the boat is not a bad idea as Sockeye salmon are lured toward color.
Current sport fishing regulations, at the time of this writing, provided by the DFO will allow sport fishing for Chinook salmon within one nautical mile of the coastline until the fifteenth of July. Barkley Sound is a feeding station to transient salmon. Many areas of Barkley Sound hold vast quantities of bait fish in herring, anchovy, squid and needlefish. Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, Samatao, and Swale Rock provide for excellent sport fishing. The 2024 salmon fishing will become even better in late July and continue into early September when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin their migration to natal streams and rivers. This year’s return is described as “abundant”.
Common gear and a consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound in June is trolling with anchovy behind a variety of flasher colors. Anchovy trolled in Chartreuse, army truck, green and purple haze are excellent teaser head choices. This trend has changed over the past couple of years with Chinook also hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as various Skinny G’s, and Coho Killer spoons. A variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needle fish hootchies are terrific. White colored hootchies and cuttlefish and pistachio colored cuttlefish have been terrific as of late and usually are a great choice not only in June but through the summer months. In June the fish are in much deeper water than in August. Many anglers will fish areas of Barkley Sound in eighty to one hundred and twenty feet. Hootchie and cuttlefish leader lengths behind a flasher are best at thirty-eight to forty-two inches and spoons from forty-two inches to five feet.
The month of June, and for that matter the summer of 2024 should have some world class salmon sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound area.
Report & pics submitted by Doug Lindores, Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (888) 214-7206 dlindy@shaw.ca; www.catchsalmon-ca.com
Ucluelet
South Vancouver Island overview:
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Strong winds this past week kept the number of people fishing for salmon to a minimum for much of the week. Chinook fishing was SLOW to GOOD where open. Coho opened for retention on Saturday, and we heard of fin clipped coho being caught near Otter Point and Pedder Bay. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD. Crabbing was SPOTTY in most areas. Prawning has been FAIR in Saanich Inlet.
That is a wrap for the 25th Annual Just for the Halibut Fishing Derby! Over the weekend we had some great Halibut weighed in and some healthy competition. Thank you to all of the participants in this year’s derby; we hope that you had a great time on the water this weekend. We are able to have some awesome prizes as well as raise money, thanks to our volunteers and sponsors. We are lucky to be a part of such a great community and appreciate all your support. Without you there would be no derby and appreciate you making this event a reality. We love hosting this derby each year because it allows us to raise money for some amazing organizations. The proceeds from this year are going to the TLC Fund for Kids as well as the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition.
Overall, the fishing was great this year. The top three fish were awarded with a cash prize of $7500, $2500, and $1000, respectively. On top of the top three cash prizes, there were also awards for the top ten fish.
There was a total of 105 Halibut weighed in over the weekend, with an average weight of 25.7 pounds. The closest halibut weighed to the average weight was 25.4 pounds. Winning a Simrad Go9 was Eric Rondeau.
As always we have hidden weights, this year the two hidden weights were 43.6 pounds and 27.8 pounds. Brad Alexander weighed in an exact hidden weight at 43.6 pounds and Sean Price was an oz off with his 27.7 pound catch. The prizes for hidden weights this year were a two night stay at Osprey Cabins in Port Renfrew as well as a two night stay in a Bunkie at Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, we had a grand draw prize for a Polar Bear Wall Tent.
Congratulations to everyone who took home a prize this weekend and again thank you to all who came out. We hope you enjoyed your time as much as we did and are looking forward to next year!
NOTABLE CATCHES: Jeff Monyard was the winner of the 25th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby with a 63.8 pound Halibut. In second place with a 59.4 pound catch was Brad Alexander and a close third place went to Don McLarren with a 59.3 pounder.
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 this past week, with the best fishing off Muir Creek, Jordan River, and points further west. Crabbing has been FAIR in Sooke. Fin clipped coho were caught off Otter Point.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend inside the bay within the open area. Some of the clipped springs caught have been sloe to 20 lbs in size. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well. Popular flashers have been the Betsey, the Bon Chovy, the Madi and Blue/Silver Hot Spots. Crabbing has been SPOTTY inside the 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 SLOW this past week. Constance Bank, East Race, and Willliam Head have been some of the better spots. Octopus and Herring have been successful baits when used with a glow hootchy. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD.
Chinook salmon fishing has been FAIR to GOOD out of Pedder Bay for those anglers heading into area 19. Fishing was best at Constance Bank and Albert Head. Most of the clipped springs have been from 5 to 10 lbs in size but a few from 15-20 lbs have also been caught. We also heard of a nice fin clipped coho caught this past weekend near Pedder Bay. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well. Anchovies in the 12 pack or smaller sizes were good baits and popular choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Guide Series Oki ‘s and Glow Hot Spots. Crabbing has been GOOD inside the bay.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Victoria
Halibut fishing was FAIR at Constance Bank and in the Mud Hole. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD. Crabbing has been SLOWER as commercial crabbers are now working the waterfront..
Chinook salmon fishing was SLOW this past week except at Constance Bank. Most of the clipped springs were 5 to 8 lbs in size. There were some larger unclipped springs around as well. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, small, from and AP Tackleworks have been working very well. Hoochies have been good in glow colour patterns. Anchovies are always effective for springs and popular choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Herring Aid, Madi and Blue/Silver Hot Spots.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing has been SPOTTY to GOOD in Oak Bay, depending on the day. The Flats were better than the Gap most days, and many of the salmon were clipped and running into the high teens in size. There were many unclipped springs as well caught too. Most anglers have been trolling but jigging can the effective too. The best results have been for fish holding close to the bottom. Effective spoons this past week were the 4” Marguerita AP Needlefish, Bon Chovy Skinny G, and Glow Herring Aid Wee Gs. and Coho Killers. Crabbing has been FAIR. Halibut fishing was GOOD south of Discovery Island.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Sidney & Vancouver
Chinook fishing was FAIR this past week, and anglers were catching hatchery marked fish up to 20lbs. Some of the better spots were Cordova Channel, Saanichton Spit, James Island, and the Powder Wharf. Prawning is a little slower and most boats were not getting limits Crabbing has been FAIR.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes and Rivers
Trout and bass fishing is EXCELLENT.
Cowichan River
Trout fishing above Skutz Falls are having mixed results. The water level has been dropping and is now around 0.3 meters in the top end. Insect activity is increasing with this warmer weather.
Trout
Trout fishing has been EXCELLENT at most local lakes. The best fishing has been in the Elk, Langford, Prospect and Langford Lakes where the most trout have recently been stocked. Shore anglers use Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms while fishing close to the bottom. Fly anglers are mostly fishing Woolly Buggers, Leeches and Chironomid patterns. Trollers are catching the most trout with worms fished on Gibbs Wedding Bands behind Gang Trolls.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC continues the spring stocking of catchable triploid rainbow trout into Vancouver Island lakes. On May 29th, Thetis, Matheson and Glen Lakes received 500 trout each and Lookout Lake 200 trout averaging 232.054 g in size. Shawnigan Lake also received 1,076 trout. On May 22nd, Langford Lake received 1,500 trout, Durrance Lake 1,000 trout and Prospect and Glen Lakes received 500 trout averaging 223.664 g in size. On May 21st, Elk and Prospect Lakes each received 2,000 trout averaging 236.2g in size. and Ida Anne and Lookout lakes each received another 100 trout averaging 234.362 grams in size. On May 9th Lookout Lake received 100 trout averaging 239.792 grams in size. On May 5th, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 239.792 g in size.
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
Fishing was EXCELLENT. We are in the spawn/post spawn now. Bass are all along the shore and near structure. It’s a good time to fish around docks and shorelines. Soft plastic baits are hot right now, as well as spinner baits and glide baits Shawnigan and Quennell have been producing big numbers of bass with some boats catching 20 to 30 fish in an outing.
The Western Fishing League held a Boater Series derby in Shawnigan Lake on Sunday, June 2nd. Even though the rain was heavy enough to soak all the anglers, the fishing was good, Most of the field filled their limit and then some
Cookie cutter 16″s were being tossed back like they were 12s .
Here are the competitors that found the right ones. In 1st place, Justin and Tyrone Warth, who are no strangers to the podium, brought in an impressive 5 fish limit totalling 95.75″ . Justin also took the big bass pot with a 20.25″ tank.
In 2nd place were Erick Pay and Catherine Pleasance with a big 5 fish limit of 92.75″ , Word at the dock was that Erick and Catherine had a phenomenal day, Erick himself saying that his partner had one of her best days in competition yet
And in 3rd place, Kevin Fleming and Mike Woods with a nice 5 fish limit of 90.25″. These guys are becoming very familiar with the WFL podium in their short time being members, and I’m sure we will be seeing them again in the top 3, in the future. Well done boys.
The Western Fishing League’s next SSC stop is June 9th on Langford Lake
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
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