Fishing Reports – July 3, 2024

By on July 4, 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. Halibut closed on June 30th and will reopen on August 22nd.
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.

The halibut quota for MA2 this year is 67,074 lbs. of which about 47,720 lbs. remains as of June 1st. Halibut closed on June 30th and will reopen on August 22nd.
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)

We’ve had some super flat calm conditions and great fishing, with more nice days ahead.
We’ve had fun days of near shore light tackle fishing for lingcod and rockfish, with a calm ocean.

Halibut closed on June 30th, but opens back up on August 16th, seven days a week. We have quite a few open spots for the summer halibut season, so if you’re interested, call us to book a spot.

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. Halibut will reopen here on August 16th, seven days a week.
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, and the weather has improved. 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. Halibut closed on June 30th and will reopen on August 16th.
Salmon fishing opened here seven days a week on June 22nd – September 15th, or until the quota is met.

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)

No report this week

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. Halibut closed on June 30th and will reopen on August 16th.

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 is 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)

Salmon opened on July 1st and folks have been catching fish between 7 and 15 lbs along Ediz Hook. Crab opened on July 1st and couple of limits of crab were also taken on the opener in Sequim Bay.

MA6 is open for all shrimp species from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset, on July 12-15 only. Details here.

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. The halibut season closed on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.

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 is 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.

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. The halibut season closed on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.

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.

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. The halibut season closed on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.

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.

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. The halibut season closed on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.

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.

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. The halibut season closed on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.

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.

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. The halibut season closed on June 30th, but reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.

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.

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)

Shrimping was very productive at the last opener (June 28th), 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.

Coho Salmon
Coho fishing has been good as well on some days and this is a bit surprising given that we are in June. Coho bite on small spoons trolling fast with shorter leaders. White hutchies also can work well.
Halibut
Halibut fishing is still going strong and still close to shore. The size for halibut varies but we have been getting them mostly between 85-120 cm. Fishing tides can help or fishing the first few hours of the morning. Most halibut trips have had good bits.

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

Sockeye Salmon Sport Fishing Is Very Good in the Alberni Inlet

As we embrace July of 2024 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.  Sport Fishing opportunities should be incredible during this wonderful summer month.  Sockeye returns are predicted to be approximately 500,000 fish.  This number is providing for a sport fishing opportunity of up to four salmon per day.   The runs of migrating mature Chinook combined with decent schools of Coho travelling the Vancouver Island West Coast surf line to the large southerly watersheds should give endless opportunities to sport fishing enthusiasts fishing Barkley Sound and areas close to Ucluelet.   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 Hocking Point to Lone Tree.  Underwood, the Narrows and Cous Creek also provide for some excellent angling.

Bryan fished with wife Laura and two sons recently with Slivers Charters Salmon Sports Fishing . The family landed their limit of these beautiful salmon

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 anglers will be permitted to fish offshore waters and retain Chinook salmon.  Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient salmon.  The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth and up the coastline to Wya Point and Florencia and the many areas of Barkley Sound often hold vast quantities of bait fish in herring, anchovy, squid and needlefish.  To date Sail Rock, Great Bear, The Alley, which are all close to Ucluelet and Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, and Swale Rock have experienced some very good sport fishing.  This trend will continue and become stronger through July and will likely improve two-fold in late July and into early September when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin returning to their natal streams and rivers.

These happy people from Mexico, Belize and Qualicum had a wonderful day fishing with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and landed several Sockeye Salmon

Historically the most common gear and consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of colored flashers.  How ever that trend has changed 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, green glow, chartreuse, and even red 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-eight to forty-two inches.  Favorite hootchies are the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze.   The salmon have been feeding on needle fish and small immature herring 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 have 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.

Edmonton group has a great trip out at lodge during late June.

Halibut fishing in July 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 also relatively good.  How ever it is important that a good descending device is on board as any yellow-eye rockfish are to be released.

Linda fished with doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and landed this beautiful Chinook salmon on a white hoochie close to Swale Rock in beautiful Barkley Sound

July of 2024 will have some world class salmon sport fishing.

Tight lines and Good fishing

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 weekwith 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

Salmon University Staff
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