Fishing Reports – August 21, 2024
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
MA1 re-opened for salmon fishing on August 19th-22nd, due to the catch quota for coho (39,900) having not been reached, and sufficient quota remained to allow for a limited reopening. Daily limit two salmon, including no more than one chinook. Chinook minimum size 22 inches. Coho minimum size 16 inches. Other salmon species no minimum size. Release wild coho.
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)
Tuna sport report, courtesy of SU friend Jordan:
“Saturday the 17th, started off with favorable Bar conditions and beautiful sunrise. The ride out was decent with swell from the North and light winds. We ran to 34 over 42 and put the gear out as the birds were working hard and so was the temp break. According to the Flouro map we were on the spot.
We picked up a few fish on the troll, but could not get them to stay around despite the frisky bait from port. We continued to troll SW to 33 over 45 and spotted a Commie working the same area. We were picking up a fish here and there on the troll, but ocean was beginning to reject our advances. We continued despite the conditions and donned some inflatable PFDs and continued to pick up fish on the troll and hand-lines. We were able to get 6 fish of decent grade on bait rods and had a pretty good bait stop going, but as soon as we looked up we completely surround by the Westport fleet crowding us out. These boats looked like the type that knew the protocol, but did not want to lose out on the inconsistent bite.
We kept grinding the area but soon the wind completely died, and squalls loomed to the SW. Lightning flash and cracks of thunder did cause some pause and we knew our time was limited. The wind picked back up and we worked our way towards the barn. We ended up with 18 decent grade fish, 8 on troll, 6 on bait and 4 on the hand-lines. Not bad for a short day with two anglers. Remember sporties have every right to demand the same level of courtesy you boats with paying customers expect.
Good Day, and as usual require perseverance…”
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 will close here on August 25th (last day of fishing the 24th), due to quota being met.
Marine Area 3 (La Push)
Salmon – turns out fishing was too good and the salmon season is over as of August 20th, the quota has been reached.
Halibut – season just opened Friday August 16th – not red hot, but good fishing and larger fish then we had in spring time.
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
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.
Report submitted by Jim Richeson, Top Notch Ocean Charters, 360-374-2660 topnotchoceancharters@gmail.comwww.topnotchoceancharters.com
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
MA4 is the only WA coastal marine area that remains open for salmon fishing. 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 week or two.
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. The halibut season reopened 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 reopened on August 16th.
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 reopened 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.
Salmon fishing (fin-clipped coho) is open here seven days a week until September 26th, or until the quota is met.
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca)
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 reopened on August 16th until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
Salmon fishing (fin-clipped coho) is open here seven days a week until September 26th, 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 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 reopened 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 reopened 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 reopened 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 reopened 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 reopened 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.
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 GOOD both on the bank and near the shore.
Becher Bay
Chinook fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. Anglers were getting springs in the bay and outside from Church Rock 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. Some fin clipped coho were brought back to the marina even though anglers switched to targeting chinooks. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well.
Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week. Constance Bank and the 27 Fathom bank were 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. 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
Pedder Bay
Chinook fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. Anglers were getting springs in the bay and outside from Church Rock 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. Some fin clipped coho were brought back to the marina even though anglers switched to targeting chinooks. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well.
Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week. Constance Bank and the 27 Fathom bank were 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. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS.
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 EXCELLENT this past week. That said, there were definite bite times on most days, so you did very well when the bite was on or found it slow at other times. Some coho showed up on the weekend but they quickly passed through local waters. Esquimalt, the Breakwater and Clover Point 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 very 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 SLOW at Constance Bank and in the Mud Hole. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was 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 fishing has been GOOD. 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 SLOW this past week. Anglers did catch some nice springs, but you had to search for the fish. Prawning has been FAIR for limits when traps are left out overnight and picked up the next day. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS. Lingcod and rockfish angling has been GOOD.
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:
Avoid the crowds! When you see a tightly packed group of boats fishing, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are catching fish. The concentration of gear in the water often spooks the fish and shuts down the bite. You are usually better off fishing outside of the crowd or look for an area where there aren’t as many boats.
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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