Fishing Reports – July 31, 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 will reopen on August 22nd.
Salmon fishing is open 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 will reopen on August 22nd.
Salmon fishing is open here daily through September 15th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 3 (La Push)
Fishing for salmon has been very good this week with limits the normal, a mix of silvers and some nice sized kings mixed in.
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 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 fishing is open here until September 15th, or until the quota is met.
Report submitted by Jim Richeson, Top Notch Ocean Charters, 360-374-2660 topnotchoceancharters@gmail.comwww.topnotchoceancharters.com
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
Salmon fishing has been great, lots of high teen-sized fish, and this week the occasional fish to 30lbs. Both outside and inside and the weather has been good with the occasional windy day. The nearshore rockfish and lingcod trips have been seeing limits being brought in on each trip. There is a new restriction on certain rockfish species. 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 will reopen on August 16th.
Salmon fishing is open here seven days a week until September 15th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)
Salmon fishing is closing here on August 1st, details here.
Salmon fishing has been good, with high-teen sized chinook and the occasional fish in the 20’s. The weather has been good with the occasional windy day.
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 will reopen on August 16th.
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 until August 15th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca)
We’ve been finding some hatchery coho off the “Humps”. Lots of hatchery Chinook into the 20 lb range being taken from Ediz Hook. I got a 24lb and 10lb chinook yesterday off Ediz.
Dave with a couple of nice late-July Ediz Hook chinook
Crabbing opened on July 1st and has been very good, the commercial pots are in now, so expect the crabbing to slow down accordingly.
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 will reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
Summer salmon fishing is open here seven days a week from July 1st — August 15th, or until the quota is met.
Report submitted by Dave Croonquist, Puget Sound Anglers – North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands)
MA7 will open for chinook for one additional day, details here.
The short chinook opener / closer (three days!) was productive for those that got out and fished it. Nice high teen to low twenties-sized fish found in the usual spots, and 120-180 feet down. They seemed to be hitting on small-to-medium sized lures.
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 will 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.
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)
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. 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)
MA9 will open for chinook for one additional day, details here.
Possession Bar was the place to be for the short chinook opener, but fish were found in other usual spots as well, and they weren’t as crowded. We’ve seen some nice coho being caught already, and they are getting bigger by the 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. The halibut season will reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
Marine Area 10 (Seattle / Bremerton)
No report this week.
MA10 will open for chinook for one additional day, 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 will reopen on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
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.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)
No report this week.
MA12 is currently closed for salmon, lingcod, rockfish, and halibut. Salmon fishing will open August 1st.
Your options for now are limited to other flatfish (flounders, sole, sanddabs), or catch-and-release fishing for trout along the shorelines.
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.
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 has been good and now that the offshore area 123, 124 is open for 2 per day it increases areas where we can go. Always make sure to check your regulations. Chinook salmon has been consistent outside Mara rock and good on some days around Sail, Austin, Cree, Florencia Bay and around Great Bear. Long Beach has also been good the past few days. Wya and outside Fraser Rock have been holding fish as well. We have done a little live squid fishing that past few days and expect we will have a few more good days in the next couple weeks with the amount of squid around. Anchovies, white hutchies and 3′ spoons have been our most commonly used ways to catch Chinook.
Coho Salmon has been good in a couple different spots including Alley rock, Austin, Cree and other spots in Barkley Sound. We mostly are catching them as incidentals while fishing for Chinook
Halibut fishing has been pretty consistent though we are starting to travel about 10-12 miles out now in a few different spots. There have been a few halibut caught in Florencia Bay which means there should be some right outside if you are looking for an area to go that isn’t far away. Generally we travel a bit just to have the more guaranteed catch. Octopus have been messing with our gear in a few spots so look out for them.
Wildlife: We have been seeing quite a few whales, sea otters and more sea lions the past couple of weeks which is always pleasant to see.
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
August is always an exciting month in this Pacific Rim area as Chinook and Coho salmon begin to migrate into the various rivers, streams and creeks of West Coast Vancouver Island. Anglers have so many wonderful fishing opportunities to sport fish for salmon in this majestic area. West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook and Coho migrate to surf line areas and then into Barkley Sound in late July and peak in numbers from mid August to early September of which many continue their final journey migrating to the Alberni Inlet before swimming into the Somass and Stamp River systems. The 2024 sport fishing season from late July to September should be simply wonderful with fabulous forecast returns of Chinook and Coho salmon.
West Coast Vancouver Island returns of Chinook Salmon are forecast to be of “terminal abundance” for all hatchery and wild Chinook. This forecast for returns in the model to Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet is 95,000 to 170,000. The age category predictions are three-year-old, four-year-old, five and six year old Chinook. Coho returns are about average due to spectacular ocean conditions over the past few years.
Raymond from Winnipeg Manitoba fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and landed this eighteen pound Chinook at Effingham Island using a Skinny G bue Herring Aid. Raymond and family had an excellent fishing trip landing both Chinook and Sockeye Salmon
The large schools of Chinook normally migrate into Barkley Sound and feed on the rich resources of bait fish before making their final journey to the Alberni Inlet and then into the Somass River. The best Chinook and Coho fishing in the Alberni Inlet historically begins early in August. The Alberni Inlet provides a variety of hot spots for the many anglers that visit the Port Alberni area to sport fish. The top angling areas are Lone Tree and the Coulson Mill which are two spots in the Harbor. China Creek Wall, Underwood, Leaning Tree, and the Narrows are excellent fishing spots south of Lone Tree Point.
Sport Fishers, fishing the Inlet waters have best success using anchovy in a variety of teaser heads. Glow Army Truck, purple haze, cop car and green haze with a six-foot leader behind a variety of flashers will create some of the best results. Anglers will also have success using Pink and Red Octopus Hootchies. The AORL 12, Purple Haze and Spatter back are also excellent hootchie choices.
Jessica from Winnipeg landed two beautiful and very large Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet during the past week. Sockeye Sport Fishing has been amazing in the Alberni Inlet
Many Anglers during August will fish Barkley Sound from the surf line to the far end of the Bamfield Wall over to Pill Point and Ecoole. Austin-Cree, Beale, Wittlestone, the Bamfield Wall, Gilbraltor, Swale Rock and Pill Point should have terrific angling opportunities through the month. The returning salmon are most often in shallower water from twenty-five to sixty feet. Coho are often right on the surface. Best results for those anglers fishing Barkley Sound are using anchovy in the same teaser head colors as the Alberni Inlet. A variety of Coyote spoons, Skinny G Herring Aid in green and blue, and Big Eye spoons are terrific choices. A variety of hootchies in octopus and cuttlefish are often a sure bet at different times of the day and month. The best go to hootchies are the dark green spatter back, AORL 12, glow white, purple haze, clown, and army truck.
Kent fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and landed this beautiful Chinook Salmon in Barkley Sound
The fishing in Barkley Sound and the waters close to the Ucluelet Harbor Mouth over the past few weeks has been relatively good. The Coho Salmon fishing earlier in July and in late June was excellent. In August there should be big numbers of Coho all over Barkley Sound which has been a treat for many anglers. The Coho ranged from five to eight pounds and created some excellent sport fishing. The Coho were hitting a variety of small TKO spoons, Skinny G spoons and hootchies. The best results occur when one is able to match up the bait fish in the area fishing.
August will be a banner month for Chinook and Coho fishing and will produce many opportunities for sport anglers. The fishing in 2024 in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet should be world class.
Tight lines
Report & pics submitted by Doug Lindores, Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (888) 214-7206 dlindy@shaw.cawww.catchsalmon-ca.com
South Vancouver Island overview:
Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the full moon. Coho fishing has been GOOD for fin clipped coho from Sooke to Beechey Head. Chinook fishing was FAIR to GOOD in most areas. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD. Crabbing was HIT or MISS in most areas. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week with the best fishing out west towards Jordan River and Sombrio Point. Coho fishing has been FAIR TO GOOD for fin clipped coho from Sooke to Beechey Head. Chinook fishing was FAIR to GOOD in most areas, although catch in release only in most areas. 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
Coho fishing has been FAIR TO GOOD, although you may have to search to find them at times. Some anglers were reporting that the coho were running deeper than in the previous week. The coho are still relatively small with creel surveys reporting some larger coho up to 5 lbs being caught. Small spoons and flash tails fished on short leaders behind Hot Spot or Betsey flashers are catching most of the fish. Anglers fishing catch & release are reporting some big springs near Otter Point, Possession Point and Secretary Island. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week, with the best fishing off Muir Creek, Jordan River, and points further west. We’ve also heard of some nice black cod being caught out west. Crabbing has been FAIR in the Sooke basin.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Port Renfrew
Salmon fishing has been HIT OR MISS both on the bank and near the shore.
Subareas 20-1 and 20-2 Effective 00:01 hours July 15 to 23:59 hours July 31, 2024: One (1) Chinook per day with a maximum size limit of 80 cm on marked and unmarked Chinook. Effective 00:01 hours August 1 to 23:59 hours December 31, 2024: Two (2) Chinook per day, no maximum size limit.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was HOT & COLD this past week within the open area inside the bay.The larger clipped springs have been into the twenties in size, although mot have been closer to 10 lbs.. Outside the closed area it has been good for catch and release of big springs near the Trap Shack and Beechy Head. Coho are still coming into the marina in good numbers with Aldredge Point mentioned as a good area for coho.. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, 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 Oki’s and Hot Spots. Crabbing has been FAIR 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 GOOD this past weekend with the better tides. O. Constance Bank, Albert Head, William Head, the Mud Hole and East Race produced fish recently. Octopus and Herring have been successful baits when used with a glow hootchy. Bottom fishing was GOOD. Crabbing has been SPOTTY.
Fin clipped coho were brought back to the marina in good numbers, with most of the coho being caught off Beechy Head.. 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 SLOW 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 GOOD at Constance Bank and in the Mud Hole. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was also GOOD. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS, as commercial crabbers are thoroughly working the waterfront.
Chinook salmon fishing was GOOD this past week with a good bite early in the morning. Esquimalt and the harbour entrance have held good numbers of springs. Small spoons such as the AP anchovy, Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, have been working very well. 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 Green/Gold 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 FAIR to GOOD south of Discovery Island. Lingcod, as well as rockfish, fishing has also been GOOD. Catch & release salmon fishing has been FAIR in Oak Bay. Both the Flats and the Gap have produced springs in the teens for anglers. Effective spoons have been the 4” Needlefish AP Tackleworks, Herring Aid and No Bananas Skinny Gs, 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
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. The best fishing was in the Inlet, for both numbers and size of fish. Wain Rock and Whiskey Point were good at times. We haven’t heard of much success from the Sidney area. Prawning has been GOOD for limits when traps are left out overnight and picked up the next day. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS, but we know of some crabbers that had excellent results on the west side of the inlet.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes and Rivers
Trout is FAIR and bass fishing is GOOD.
Cowichan River
The river closes for angling from July 15th to August 31ST.
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 was GOOD in all lakes. Most methods for bass are working right now but at different times of the day. During mornings, before it gets hot and, in the evenings, when it cools, the bass can be found in the shallows feeding. Top water frogs, poppers and ploppers have been productive at these times in the day, as well as soft plastics and minnow pattern crankbaits In the hot parts of the day, the fish have been going a bit deeper, holding in 10 to 20 feet, depending on the depth of the lake. During this time, dropshots, Ned rigs, jigs, deep running crank baits, swim baits, and jerk baits have been working well.
Fishing Tip of the week:
It’s that time! The long-awaited chinook opener is finally upon us. Starting August 1st, you are allowed to keep one chinook (from 45 to 80 cm maximum) per person per day.
The boat launches and all the local hotspots are going to be insanely busy for the next month.
It’s critical that everybody is courteous and safe out there. Do not park in a trailer spot if you do not have a trailer! Make sure your friends/guests know this as well. Whoever has the right rod to shore has right of way, try and observe this as much as possible. Everybody likes to get in tight to the rocks but be sure to give boats space if they are hooked up. It’s tempting to run right behind them when you see them hook up, but this will cause nothing but problems. Also, with August comes the fog, go slow in the early mornings, Especially if you do not have a radar on your boat.
Have fun, be safe and most of all good luck! I’m looking forward to seeing everybody have a successful season.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
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