Fishing Reports – August 14, 2024
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
MA1 closed for salmon fishing on August 12th, due to the catch quota for coho (39,900) being projected to be attained by August 11th.
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.
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
It was good salmon fishing this week, with chinook in the 20lb range, and coho to about 10lbs. Lots of limits being caught. The current guess is that the salmon quota will last another week and a half or so – so get them while you can! Be safe out there, use the buddy system and / or keep in touch with those around you. A Grady White took on water via a leak and capsized this week, 18 miles offshore. Luckily the folks on board were able to get on another vessel and the report is that no one was hurt.
Some boats have been going out for tuna and doing well. We heard of a few private boats coming back with a couple of dozen albacore. The warmer water and these albacore will likely get closer to shore in the next few weeks.
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)
Salmon – kings have thinned out this week but the coho fishing is really good now and they are getting bigger every day. Fishing is probably too good, as we are getting to the end of our quota and it’s doubtful we will make it to the end of this month.
Halibut – opens Friday and seven days a week, hope fishing is good.
Lingcod – rockpile has been producing limits for folks, but not as fast as last year at the same time
Black rockfish – easy limits most days
Weather looks a bit questionable this weekend, especially on Sunday.
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 good – lots of high teen-sized fish, and the occasional fish to 30lbs. Both outside and inside and the weather has been good with the occasional foggy or windy day. The nearshore rockfish and lingcod trips have been seeing limits being brought in on each trip. The salmon quota is expected to last another few weeks… the coho are at about 45% and the chinook at about 65% so far.
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)
The coho fishing has been good, with fish up to about 8lbs. The weather has been good with the occasional foggy or windy day.
Clipped-fin coho fishing continues, and halibut fishing will reopen on August 16th.
Chinook fishing closed here on August 1st, 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. Halibut will reopen on August 16th.
Rockfish fishing 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 (chinook is now closed).
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca)
The MA6 Chinook fishery has been very good for NOP PSA chapter members. We’ve landed hatchery Chinook going into the mid-20 lbs range and have released natural origin stocks that have ranged into the mid-30 lb range. Biggest natural was measured at 44″ and an estimated 35 lbs plus. Spoons have been the primary gear for most of our anglers. SquidPro and Silver Horde spoons in various patterns to match the hatch. Smaller spoons in the 3″ range have been working best. A few fish have been caught on Ace High and needlefish hoochies. Lots of bait balls and, based on stomach contents, mostly small herring up to 4″ long. Chinook season ends on the 15th. We’ve been finding some early coho ranging up to 6 lbs+ mixed in with the fishery in the usual Chinook areas. Now we’re gearing up for the coho season. We’re all looking forward to the September 27 / October 15 non-selective coho fishery.
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)
No report this week.
MA7 was open for chinook for *another* additional day on August 11th.
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)
We’ve seen some nice coho being caught, 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)
MA10 was open for chinook for two additional days on August 11th & 12th, and folks did well out there. Now it’s coho time and just a matter of waiting for the coho to get bigger.
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: Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for further fishing closures, regulations, and information for specific areas.
Ucluelet
Chinook Fishing
Has been very good at Long Beach, Outside Light and Mara rock and the bight is happening all day at Long Beach and Mara. Sizes range from 10-25lbs. Depending on what you are using you will probably get more in the 10-15 range but there are combinations and areas that tend to produce larger average fish. Long Beach and Outside light are producing slightly larger fish. Wya and Little Beach are also seeing sporadic bights and some larger Chinook are starting to come through along the shore. There are a few larger fish also showing up at Austin and Cree.
Hutchies, spoons and anchovies are all working here. Some days hutchies work better than spoons and some days spoons are really good. Anchovies are generally a constant though you probably don’t need them right now.
Coho Salmon
Are very plentiful at Big Bank and showing up in a smaller numbers at Long Beach. One of our boats went to Big Bank yesterday and got all their hatchery Coho (8) and halibut. We haven’t seen too many inside Barkley sound. Make sure you throw back the ones that don’t have clipped adipose fins if not in Barkley Sound.
Halibut Fishing
Has been good for our guys in a few different spots. Outside South, Outside Light, the Barnyard and Long Beach have all been producing and if you want to make the run Big Bank is producing as expected. We are still getting them in closer but expect things to slow down in some spots and need to run to Big Bank soon. Since Big Bank hasn’t had much fishing pressure it may be good into September again.
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.
If you are wanting to go fishing let us know and we will do our best to fit you in any open spots.
Check out our fishing packages for the easiest booking to get you fishing, vacuum packing and freezing and staying in brand new cabins.
We have some availabilty this next week so give us a shout if you are wanting to get out on some good action.
We have both day trips and multi-day packages.
Here are some more pics from the past few days:
What is expected for the rest of August?
Fishing for Chinook salmon should keep getting better as August rolls along. We are expecting a Chinook run size we haven’t seen in a very long time during August and some of the larger fish should be coming in big numbers starting about Aug 10.
If you are wanting to come fishing with your own boat you can inquire about accommodation for 2025. We have parking for trailers. If you would like tips on what do do in the area check out www.ucluelet-info.com and www.discovervancouverisland.com.
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 salmon fishing in the Barkley Sound area has been very good especially along the surf line locations. Cape Beale, The Bamfield Wall, Kirby, Cree and Austin Island to Sail Rock and The Alley have been very good over the past few weeks. The fish are feasting on an abundant amount of immature herring before continuing to their migratory destinations. The salmon have been predominately Chinook to date and have been in water from eighty to one hundred and ten feet.
John from Spokane Washington and his son from Manhattan New York sport fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and landed this beautiful Chinook salmon close to Ucluelet using anchovy
A variety of spoons and anchovy have been working very well. Anchovy teaser heads in army truck, purple haze and chartreuse have been terrific. Hoochies in a variety of white colors have also provided some success for anglers. Many other inland areas of the Sound have to this date not provided a lot of success for anglers. Coho have showed up in lower numbers along the surf line and out about a half a mile. The Coho are hitting purple haze hoochies, AORL 12 and a variety of Koho Killer spoons.
Carter of Kamloops B.C. fished with dad Scott and guide Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing. Carter fished for salmon for the first time ever and landed a thirty pound Chinook (first ever salmon) at The Alley using a green nickel herring aid.
The Alberni Inlet is slowly beginning to have Chinook Salmon show up especially out at the Franklin Wall and Bells Bay. Anchovy has been the working very well. Teaser Head colors in Army truck glow, cop car and herring aid are working in thirty to fifty feet of water. Surprisingly the Sockeye numbers are still very high. Many anglers are continuing to fish for Chinook in the early morning and then come back to the China Creek area and fish for Sockeye in the mid morning. The Sockeye are deep and are most active in ninety to one hundred and ten feet.
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
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
We are looking forward to a very good August Sport Fishery as the returns of Chinook to West Coast Vancouver Island are termed abundant.
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:
Chinook fishing was EXCELLENT From William Head and points west. From Victoria to Sidney, it was FAIR TO GOOD. Most anglers have stopped targeting coho now that they can retain chinooks, but some anglers are having good success when they are fishing for them. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week with the best fishing out west towards Jordan River and Sombrio Point. 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
Chinook fishing has been EXCELLENT near Otter Point, Muir Creek and Possession Point. Anglers are reporting catching and releasing oversize as well as slot size fish. There have also been lots of chinook grilse as well. Since most anglers are targeting springs, not as many coho are being caught. That said, there have been some 5-10 lb coho caught, but they were all unclipped. Anglers are saying that spoons and bait are working well. Anchovies have been the most popular bait and good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Purple Haze, and Bloody Nose. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Krippled “KC”, Coho Killers, Coyote, and AP Tackleworks spoons have been working for springs. Popular flashers have been the Gold Fever Hot Spot, The Oki Bon Chovy, Madi and Super Betsey.
Halibut fishing was FAIR 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.
Becher Bay
Chinook fishing has been EXCELLENT. Chinook were being caught all over the area. The most popular spots were the Trap Shack, Beechy Head , the Bedfords. and Aldridge Point. Over size springs into the twenties and thirties in size have been caught and released as well., Coho were still coming into the marina in good numbers until the opening but then anglers shifted their fishing methods to target chinooks. Anchovies are effective for springs and popular choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been Hot Spots and Oki’s in Herring Aid, Moon Jelly and Gold colors. 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. Crabbing has been FAIR inside the bay.
The Mike Chipps Memorial Derby was held August 10th-11th. Here is the list of prize winners:
Largest salmon 1st, 18.9 lbs Ed Hutchinson, 2nd Sean Hutchinson, 3rd, Kevin Weeks
Kids prizes 1st, 16.5 lbs Dylan Wright, 2nd, 13.8 Nathan Wallace 3rd. 7.7 lbs James Casanova
Largest halibut 27.5 lbs, Reggie O’Hare
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Pedder Bay
Chinook fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend.. Anglers were getting springs in the bay and outside the bay from William Head to the Bedfords.. Anchovies in the 12 pack were good natural bait and popular choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Guide Series Oki ‘s and Gold Fever Hot Spots. Not many fin clipped coho were brought back to the marina as anglers switched to targeting chinooks. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well. Crabbing has bee SLOW inside the bay.
Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week with the smaller tides. Constance Bank was the best spot this past week. Octopus and Herring have been successful baits when used with a glow hootchy. Bottom fishing for lingcod and rockfish was EXCELLENT and two twenty-pound lingcod were seen at the cleaning table. Crabbing has been SPOTTY.
The Alpine Jaun de Fuca Fishing Tournament will be held Sept 8th at Pedder Bay Marina. Pre-derby Skippers meeting on Saturday Sept 7th at the Langford Legion. This is a one day all cash derby.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Victoria
Chinook salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week with a good bite early in the morning and another one later in the afternoon. Esquimalt and the harbour entrance have held good numbers of springs. Small spoons such as the 3” AP anchovy Lemon Lime, Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, have been working very well. Anchovies in all sizes were effective for springs and popular choices for teaser head colors are UV Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Green. Popular flashers have been the Moon Jelly, Madi and Gold Fever Hot Spots.
Halibut fishing was FAIR at Constance Bank and in the Mud Hole. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was also GOOD. 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
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing has been GOOD 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
Halibut fishing was FAIR south of Discovery Island. Lingcod has been GOOD, and one angler brought in a 120 cm behemoth. Lots of rockfish are also being caught. 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 to GOOD this past week. The best fishing was near the Powder Wharf and Coal Island. The largest we heard of was a 77 cm, 17.8 lb spring caught near the Powder Wharf. Prawning has been FAIR for limits when traps are left out overnight and picked up the next day. 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 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.
Dave Pedersen of the Western Fishing League writes about the last Boater Series event of the year.
What a day on Quennell Lake, our last stop of the boater series before the Championship. The weather was with us today, with overcast sky’s for a good part of the day, and even a little rain shower to get the bite going again. For most, the big ones were in hiding, but as always with Quennell Lake, a couple slabs chose to have a nibble on what was being offered.
So here we go the top 3 teams, big fish winner, and the big fish Jr winner are as follows:
In 1st place the team of Justin Booth and alternate angler, Collette Us Booths with a 5 fish limit totalling 88″
Tyrone must be happy that his spot on the boat was well taken care of by mom in his absence. Well done Booths!
In 2nd place, also with a alternate angler, the team of Dave Pedersen and Danielle Jeanson with a 5 fish limit totalling 83.5″. Jesse Mcmullan was stoked to hear that his spot was in good hands in his absence. Nice work out there today .
And in 3rd,place, needing no alternate, is the one man hammer Jake Watson with a 5 fish limit totalling 82.25″
From what I saw today, Jake, solo, was left to do whatever he wanted to, and whatever he was doing was working. Nice fishing today buddy, congrats!
Big fish of the tournament goes to Steve Gregory-Allen with a tank measuring in at 20.5! Nice fish bud!
Big fish for the Jr’s, goes to Levi Mackie, with a 15.75″ Nice fish buddy! Levi will receive a cool $25 for his efforts.
Thank you goes out to every angler that joined us for a boater series event this season. You are the WFL, and the whole reason this league is working, and we are having a blast organizing it all. It was great meeting, and sharing waters with you. Hope to see you at the Championship, and if not, on the water soon.
More info is available at www.westernfishinleague.com
Fishing Tip of the week:
Be alert and courteous to the boats around you! When boats are fishing close together and one boat hooks into a big spring, well that fish is going to make a big run (usually straight back). You should always move away from the boat that is fighting a fish or get your gear up and away from the fish. You will appreciate it when you’ve hooked a big slab and other boats keep out of your way.
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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