Fishing Reports – June 12, 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 bad the past week, we only got to fish two days. 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. 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 recently, 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)
Halibut, lingcod, and rockfish fishing continues to be good, though the wind has been an issue this past week. 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.
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)
The weather was bad this last week, but on the days people got out, 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
As we get into the month of June and consider July many anglers in this Vancouver Island area are excited about the return of Sockeye salmon to the Somass River system. Those that prefer to Fish for Chinook and Coho do realize that there is a bountiful migration of these two salmon species along the surf line of Barkley Sound and areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor. To date the sport fishing in these two areas has been “Terrific”. Some areas further inshore such as Pill Point, Tzarus Island, Swale Rock, Kirby and Diplock have had some particularly fantastic sport fishing days. Kirby and Diana Island have been two remarkable areas over the last couple of weeks. Many of the Chinook have been in the mid to high teens with a few landed fish into the mid twenty-pound range.
Beautiful early June Chinook salmon landed by Elizabeth using a Silver Horde three inch spoon.
Glenn of Idaho landed this early June morning Chinook Salmon on a Herring Aid Spoon
Sockeye salmon returns to the Somass River system are predicted to be approximately 500,000 pieces for 2024. This number is currently providing for a sport fishing opportunity of up to FOUR Sockeye salmon per day and a two-day possession limit of eight for sport anglers. Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet has already seen some days early in the season with limits landed by sports fisher persons. The migration of Sockeye to the Somass has been underway for a few weeks with Sockeye already swimming through the counters and making their way into either Great Central or Sproat Lakes. The salmon will remain in the deep water of these two lakes until they spawn in the fall months. The Cooler weather and water temperatures have allowed for a steady daily migration of Sockeye.
The Sockeye salmon in the first ten days of June has been remarkably good. This group from the Edmonton Alberta area will enjoy Sockeye on the BBQ for the summer and into the winter months…..
As the weather, air, and water temperature warms up the Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet areas will school in large numbers which helps the Sport fishing “success”. Sockeye fishing is great FUN 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 Hocking Point or Nahmint and Ten Mile Point to Lone Tree. Underwood, the Narrows, and Cous Creek all provide for some excellent angling. Currently the Sockeye are migrating in water from thirty to fifty feet. The best fishing has been in the China Creek area from The Narrows to Dunsmuir Point and into Cous Creek. The best lures are mp hootchies in a bubble gum color, or pink-blue and pink-black color scheme. The double tandem combination or single Black Hook has also been successful for some anglers who prefer to use Black Hooks. The MP Hootchie leaders are varying from twenty inches for some anglers and up to twenty-seven inches for others. Black Hook Leaders are sixteen to eighteen inches. A variety of flasher colors are working. The Sockeye Sport fishing is historically at its best from Father’s Day Weekend through to the end of July.
Carol and Angela holding two Sockeye salmon in the Alberni Inlet
The runs of migrating Chinook combined with some early Coho swimming Vancouver Island’s West Coast as they migrate to the Big Southerly Watersheds should give endless opportunities to sport fishing enthusiasts fishing west coast inshore waters.
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. After this date angler’s should be permitted to fish offshore waters and retain Chinook Salmon. Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient fish. The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth such as Great Bear, Mara Rock, the Alley, and Sail Rock and up the coast line towards Wya Point and Florencia have had some great fishing in the early days of June.
This Chinook salmon in the Pill Point area was landed in 110 feet of water using a AORL12 hootchie.
Many areas of Barkley Sound hold vast quantities of bait fish in herring, anchovy, squid and needlefish. The salmon come into these areas and gorge themselves on these rich-nutrient fish. Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, and Swale Rock have experienced some wonderful fishing days. This trend will continue and become better in late June. July is historically very good but will improve two-fold in later part of the month when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin their migration to their natal streams and rivers. West Vancouver Island returns for 2024 are termed “Abundant”. This area should have some world first class fishing this summer.
Historically the most common gear and consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of flashers. How ever that trend has changed especially in June and much of July over the past couple of years with fish hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as Skinny G’s, Coho Killer spoons, and a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needle fish hootchies. Anchovy teaser head colors that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car. Flashers in blue, purple glow, green glow, and chartreuse, with at least a six-foot leader are best. Spoons behind a flasher can vary from forty-two inches to five feet. Hootchie leader lengths behind a flasher are thirty-seven to forty-two inches. Favorite hootchies and needle fish hootchies are the B-84 in the needle fish and also a variety of blue and green hootchies, dark green spatter back, the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze and pistachio. The salmon have currently been feeding on very small herring, and needlefish, around Meares, Austin-Cree, Swale Rock and Edward King. Smaller Spoons if the bait is small have been working very well. In areas around Beale, Whittlestone, and The Bamfield Wall there has been mature squid meaning Octopus hootchies and cuttle fish are working best. The best cuttle fish have been tiger prawn UV, army truck and a variety of white cuttle fish colors.
The Ling Cod fishing in Barkley Sound and the surf line areas has been relatively okay to date.
Halibut fishing in June is in full swing. Many sport-fisher people will either drift, jig or anchor. Halibut will often prefer salmon bellies as well as large herring or octopus. If jigging try a Gibbs Hali Hawg tipped with salmon belly. Lingcod fishing is off and on. It is important that a good descending device is on board as any yellow-eye rockfish are to be released.
June of 2024 and the rest of the summer should have some world class salmon sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. With Chinook numbers forecast to be high the angling season should be phenomenal.
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 FAIR this past week. Strong winds this past week kept the number of people fishing to a minimum for much of the week. Chinook fishing was FAIR to GOOD where open. Coho are open for retention on Saturday, and we heard of fin clipped coho being caught in Sooke and near Pedder Bay. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD. Crabbing was HIT or MISS in most areas.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
Halibut fishing was FAIR with this past week, with the best fishing off Muir Creek, Jordan River, and points further west. Crabbing has been FAIR in the Sooke basin. Fin clipped coho up to 7 lbs were caught by those targeting the coho. Anglers fishing catch & release are reporting some big springs near 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. The clipped springs caught have been as large as 23 lbs in size. Most of then have been from 5 to 10 lbs though. 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.
We also heard of 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 HIT OR MISS. as commercial crabbers are now working the waterfront..
Chinook salmon fishing was SLOW this past week except at Constance Bank. Most of the springs were 5 to 10 lbs in size. There were some larger 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
Halibut fishing was GOOD south of Discovery Island. Catch & release salmon fishing has been SPOTTY to GOOD in Oak Bay, depending on the day. The Flats were better than the Gap most days. 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 have been the 4” Marguerita AP Tackleworks, Bon Chovy Skinny G, and Glow Herring Aid Wee Gs. and Coho Killers. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS
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 HIT OR MISS.
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 FAIR to GOOD.
Cowichan River
Trout fishing above Skutz Falls are having mixed results. The water level rose with the rains this week and is now around 0.7 meters in the top end. Insect activity is increasing with this warmer weather.
Trout
Trout fishing has been FAIR to GOOD at most local lakes. The best fishing has been in the Elk, Langford, Prospect and Langford Lakes where the most trout are 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.
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 is GOOD. Bass are all along the shallows and near structure. It’s time to fish around docks, fallen trees, weeds and shorelines. Soft plastic baits are hot right now, as well as spinner baits and glide baits All lakes should be producing good catches now.
Dave Peterson writes that the Western Fishing League held a Boater Series derby on Langford Lake on Sunday, June 9th. Although we had a small group out for this one, quite a few big fish were submitted. Fish 5 lbs, 20″ or better, one being a 21.25 monster, and our big fish of the day. It was caught by Mr. Sparkle himself, Tristan Harwood. Awesome catch bud, congrats. The abnormally clear water conditions on Langford Lake for this time of year, and it being post spawn, had visible fish with lock jaw, and after the morning bite was over the fishing got tough, with the odd fish being caught here and there Here are our results In 1st place. Dean Rudolph with a 3 fish limit totaling 58.25″ Dean also takes home the $100 gift card to Harbour Chandler that was generously donated to us by Jonathan and Tristan of Mr Sparkle Exterior Cleaning Congratulations Dean In 2nd place. Freddy Landman with a 3 fish limit totaling 54.25″ Freddy travels to compete with us, it’s nice to see you having a good showing bud. Congratulations! In 3rd place Jesse Mcmullan with a 3 fish limit totaling 51.5″ Jesse picking up his biggest fish late in the day, with what looked to be a wicked battle.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
You may also be interested in ...
