Fishing Reports – June 26, 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)
No report this week.
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.
Marine Area 3 (La Push)
The weather has finally got into a nice stretch with more nice days ahead. Salmon opened Saturday June 22nd, we fished for kings on the way in from halibut and caught easy limits, although they are definitely on the smaller side. Lots of bait so they should get bigger quickly. Lots of silvers around as well, but they are tiny, and with the smaller sized quota on them it would be a good plan to release them until August when they’re bigger, to keep season open.
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 opened here seven days a week on June 22nd, until 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 the past few weeks. The halibut being caught are mostly smaller chickens (perfect eating), out around the C closure they are 30lbs. and under, 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 opened here seven days a week on June 22nd, through 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. We had a report of one boat with a 50lb. and a 68lb. halibut on the same trip, and a few 100 lb. halibut have been caught outside Sequim. There is plenty of halibut quota left, and it looks like the halibut season will close on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
MA6 is open for all shrimp species from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset, on June 28-30, and July 12-15 only. Details here.
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.
Report & pics submitted by Dave Croonquist, Puget Sound Anglers – North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands)
No report this week.
MA7 is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct. 15, with a maximum depth restriction of 200 feet. Details here.
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.
Shrimping will be open here on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only, details here.
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)
Shrimping will be open here on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only, details here.
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)
Ma 10 coho fishing has been great. Flashers/hootchie Dodgers and hootchies around 50’ have been producing well around Jeff head.
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.
MA10, (waters of Elliot Bay, east of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point only) will be open for all shrimp species including spot shrimp on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. Details here.
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.
Report & pics submitted by Matt McCulloch, Tyee Charters, 206-799-2530, maligem@comcast.net www.tyeecharters.net
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.
MA11 is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct. 15 with a maximum depth restriction of 150 feet. During the non-spot season 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately. Details 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 28th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Details here.
Shrimping was very productive at the last opener (June 15th), 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.
MA13 is open for non-spot shrimp (dock, coonstripe, sidestripe and pink shrimp only) through Oct. 15 with a max depth restriction of 200 feet. During the non-spot season 1/2-inch mesh pots are allowed, depth restrictions are in place, and all spot shrimp are required to be released immediately. Details here.
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.
Ucluelet
Chinook Salmon
Fishing has been VERY good for Chinook in one of our favorite calm water spots where we have been hitting some good size Chinook for this time of year. The water is shallower here so the Chinook often run hard and fast since they can’t run deep. But there have been many spots producing Chinook close to the harbour and some are totally protected water. Small 3″ spoons are a staple here, needlefish hutchies and white hutchies when fishing areas that hold squid.
Report & pics submitted by Sam Vandervalk, Salmon Eye Charters, Ucluelet, BC, 877-777-4344, fishing@salmoneye.net www.salmoneye.net
Bamfield, Barkley Sound, & Port Alberni
The Alberni Inlet has had some very good Sport Sockeye fishing over the past week. With just over 500,000 Sockeye expected to return to the Somass-Stamp River system the expectation for some excellent fishing in the Alberni Inlet well into July is very likely. The migration of these Sockeye usually begins in late May and the fish after going through the counters will sit in either Great Central or Sproat Lake until the fall and will then enter their natal creeks and streams to spawn.
Crystal fishing with family and Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport fishing had a great fishing day for Sockeye Salmon in the Alberni Inlet.
The best fishing to date has been from Hocking Point which is just inside Nahmint Bay to Lone Tree Point. Most of the Sockeye salmon are sitting in forty to fifty-five feet of water. The mini plankton hootchies in pink and black and pink and blue have been working very well. The standard mp 15 hootchie or “Bubble Gum” has been great for some anglers. Others are having success using Black Hooks. Many anglers will troll at a slower speed using four rods with a variety of flasher colors. As Well many fisher people will use “dummy flashers “ to create color behind the boat. Sockeye are said to be attracted to color. Finding the schools of Sockeye makes the fishing day more productive. Sockeye will school into larger numbers as the water of the inlet warms up. We look forward to another wonderful four or five weeks of Sockeye fishing in the inlet. Sockeye have a wonderful bright red color to their flesh and are termed the Number ONE commercial salmon.
The Sport Fishing out in Barkley Sound has been relatively Steady. Chinook averaging twelve to fifteen pounds on average have been in many surf line locations. There has also been a good number of early Coho in the seven to eight pound range. July is often a fantastic month as huge numbers of Salmon migrate to the big watersheds to the south. Many of these salmon come into the sound and feed on the rich food sources of bait fish. Later in July the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon returning to nearby rivers, creeks, and streams begin to show.
We are forecast to have some excellent salmon fishing in this area for the 2024 salmon sport fishing season.
Report & pics submitted by Doug Lindores, Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (888) 214-7206 dlindy@shaw.ca www.catchsalmon-ca.com
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
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