Fishing Reports – September 25, 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 reopened on August 22nd.
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
Westport, One Day Tuna
We’ve been having an exceptional season and this week has been nothing short of world class fishing just 40nm west of town.
Most of the catching has shifted over to live anchovy fishing but we are still getting some jig strikes each day. Stopping the boat on sonar marks has also been the ticket to some wide open bait fishing when the fish won’t strike the jigs.
If you haven’t seen tuna crashing bait balls (or your own bait for the matter) just 10’ next to the boat, you might want to sign up for this trip while you still can. We’ll probably fish for 2-3 more weeks then we’ll call it a season.
The halibut quota for MA2 this year is 67,074 lbs. of which about 47,720 lbs. remains as of June 1st. Halibut reopened on August 22nd.
Report & pics submitted by Capt. Mark Coleman – Guide/Owner, All Rivers & Saltwater Charters, 425-736-8920, www.allwashingtonfishing.com
Marine Area 3 (La Push)
No report this week.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA3 and MA4 is 132,366 lbs. of which about 110,405 lbs. remained, as of June 1st. Halibut reopened on August 22nd.
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
No report this week.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA3 and MA4 is 132,366 lbs. of which about 110,405 lbs. remained, as of June 1st. Halibut reopened on August 16th.
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. remained, as of June 1st. The halibut season reopened on August 16th.
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)
Coho fishing in MA 6 has slowed, and the coho being caught are almost all unclipped. We’re all looking forward to September 27 when MA 5 and 6 go to a non-selective coho fishery so we can get our two fish and get off the water sooner.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remained, as of June 1st. The halibut season is open until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
Salmon fishing (fin-clipped coho) is open here seven days a week until September 26th, on September 27th it will change to two coho, clipped or unclipped.
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. remained, as of June 1st. The halibut season is open 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. remained, as of June 1st. The halibut season is open 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 coho salmon daily retention limit has been dropped to one fish, as of September 3rd.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remained, 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)
Coho fishing has been hot(!) and they are getting bigger by the week. All the usual spots have been producing.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remained, as of June 1st. The halibut season is open until September 30th, or until the quota is reached.
Marine Area 10 (Seattle / Bremerton)
It’s coho time in MA10 and the fishing has been good, with coho up to about 12lbs. and getting bigger every week.
The halibut combined quota this year for MA5 through MA10 is 81,729 lbs. of which about 54,685 lbs. remained, as of June 1st. The halibut season is open 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 open for salmon fishing, daily limit 4, release chinook and chum.
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 good at Big Bank, which starts at 18 miles offshore as well as some early morning and mid afternoon bites at Wya point. Big Bank has lots of feeder Chinook in the 7-15lb range and it’s a matter of figuring out where each species of salmon are. If the weather (wind and waves) stay favorable then fishing is still a good idea. Let us know if you are interested fishing during Sept or early October. We suggest multiple days.
Coho Salmon: has been good offshore at Big Bank, as well as some bites around the tides in closer like Wya point and Alley rock. The Coho fishing at Big Bank is very good in spots and really the best fishing if you want to make the run out there. You can still get your Chinook, Coho and Halibut in one spot here.
Halibut fishing: has been good all season long and continues to produce in most spots which isn’t normal this late in the season. Larger halibut are being taken in our spots closer to shore, though you may have to wait a few hours before getting all your halibut. Big bank has lots halibut in the 10-15lb range and for more in the 15-25lb range you just have to pick through them.
Supporting hatcheries: We are a big believer in supporting our local Thorton Creek hatchery since they work many hours swimming rivers, monitoring habitat and counting fish, raising salmon smolts, and helping other local hatcheries. We were proud to donate money from each package sold as well as help raise support through a Father’s day fishing contest which raised an additional $4000.
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 are booking now for 2025 for our multi-day packages. You can read about why we think Ucluelet is your best option for booking a salmon fishing trip.
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.
Tight lines,
Sam Vandervalk
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 Sport Salmon Fishing is gradually slowing down in this Pacific Rim area. Barkley Sound has continued to have some good Coho fishing. There are still some good sized Chinook in various areas of the Sound. A beautiful thirty-two pound Chinook was landed along the Bamfield Wall close to the Bamfield Harbour mouth over the past weekend. However most of the Chinook landed have been in the mid to high teens. The Coho are getting bigger as they continue to gorge on the rich sources of bait fish. Wittlestone, The Wall, Sanford, Kirby, and Fleming Island have been the best spots to fish over the past few weeks in Barkley Sound. The salmon are in relatively shallow water from twenty-five to fifty feet. Some of the Coho are hitting lures right at the back of the boat on the surface. The AORL 12 continues to be a very good hoochie. Purple Haze, Army Truck and dark green Spider Back hoochies are also very good for Coho and Chinook. Some anglers (those who are still out and enjoying some very nice early fall weather) are still having some success using anchovy in a variety of teaser head colors behind a green gold or purple gold flasher with six to seven feet of leader. The fish are waiting to get into their natal streams and creeks and waiting on rain to make their final journey.
This beautiful Chinook salmon was landed by Kelly at Fleming Island close to Bamfield in thirty-five feet of water using a AORL 12 hoochie
The Alberni Inlet has both Chinook and Coho but only Bells Bay, Mactush and the Franklin Wall to the fish boundary are the areas that most sport anglers are having any success. A variety of hoochies in shallow water are helping those anglers create any success. The AORL 12, Halloween, Purple Haze and White Glow hoochies are working. The fish are in depths of twenty to fifty feet.
Brian landed this low teen Chinook on a nice early fall day in Barkley Sound using anchovy in a purple haze teaser head
The large return of Chinook salmon back to the Somass River is now downsized to approximately ninety thousand Chinook. Escapement up to the 19th of September has been minimal. A target for Robertson Creek Hatchery is twenty-one thousand pieces. Escapement through Stamp Falls has been thirteen thousand. Coho escapement through the Stamp and Sproat River has been eleven thousand five hundred pieces. The Sockeye return and escapement into Great Central Lake and Sproat Lake has been terrific with approximately three hundred and forty five thousand Sockeye through the counters.
Nine pound Coho landed by Brad using a white glow hoochie in Barkley Sound
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 has SLOWED DOWN in most areas. On the other hand, coho fishing has been GOOD. There are lots of coho with most in the 5-10 lb size and some even bigger. The majority of coho are unclipped fish. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD. Crabbing was HIT OT 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 salmon fishing has been GOOD. There are lots of coho with most in the 5-10 lb size and some even bigger. The majority of coho are unclipped fish. Chinook fishing has been SLOW throughout the area. Many boats are not catching any at all. Anchovies have been the most popular bait and good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Purple Haze, and Bloody Nose. Spoons are working well too, especially for coho. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Krippled “KC”, Coho Killers, AP Tackleworks spoons and Coyotes 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 SLOW this past week, with the best fishing off Jordan River and points further west. Crabbing has been IMPROVING 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
Becher Bay
Coho fishing has been GOOD but anglers are catching mostly unclipped coho. The coho are mostly in the 5-10 lb size with some even larger. Spoons have been the best lures for coho. Chinook fishing was SLOW this past week. The most popular spots were the Trap Shack and Beechy Head. Anchovies were most 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.
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 SLOW this past week. Anglers were getting some springs at the mouth of the bay and some outside in Whirl Bay. 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 were still 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 in previous weeks. Octopus and Herring have been successful baits when used with a glow hootchy. Bottom fishing for lingcod and rockfish was GOOD. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS.
The Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament was held at Pedder Bay Marina on September 8th.
1st place and $20,000 went to Danny Wick with a 22.35 lb chinook. Danny also won $31, 000 in the side bet! WOW!
2nd place and $7,000 went to Mary Roschat with a 22.25 lb chinook.
3rd place and $5,000 went to Jeremy Petzinger with a 22.05 lb chinook.
4th place and $3,000 went to Vic Williams with a 20.65 lb chinook.
5th place and $2,500 went to Tory Barbon with a 17.65 lb chinook.
6th place and $2,000 went to David Yakimovich with a 17.35 lb chinook.
7th place and $1,750 went to Tim Grant with a 16.70 lb chinook.
8th place and $1,500 went to Kari Linkroos with a 16.70 lb chinook.
9th place and $1,250 went to John Kaiser Laporte with a 16.55 lb chinook.
10th place and $1,000 went to Matt Ellis with a 13.35 lb chinook.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Victoria
Chinook salmon fishing SLOWED DOWN this past week, but this was the best area for catching springs in the South Island. Many boats came back with at least one spring, but many boats came back empty. Albert Head, Esquimalt, the Breakwater and Clover Point held good numbers of springs. The best bite times were at the crack of dawn or on the tide changes. Coho have increased in numbers and marked hatchery fish up to 12 lbs were caught. The vast majority of coho were unclipped. Constance Bank had lots of coho most days. Small spoons such as the 3” AP anchovy Lemon Lime, Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, had been working very well. Anchovies in all sizes were very effective for springs and popular choices for teaser head colors are, Bloody Nose and UV 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 SFAIR. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS.
The Clover Point Anglers’’ Association held their 30th Annual Salmon Derby from September 5th – 8th.
1st place went to Mike Wardell with a 23 lb chinook.
2nd place went to Dave Bury with a 20 lb 4 oz chinook.
3rd place went to Tom Celuszak with a 16 lb 3 oz chinook.
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 HOT & COLD in Oak Bay. There is a mix of mature and feeder springs in Oak Bay and some coho. The Flats have produced some springs in the high teens for anglers. Most anglers are fishing from 60 feet down to the bottom. Spoons were the most popular lure, but others were doing well on anchovies. Effective spoons have been the 4” Needlefish AP Tackleworks, Herring Aid and No Bananas Skinny Gs and Wee Gs. and Krippled ‘KC’ Needlefish spoons.
Halibut fishing was SLOW south of Discovery Island. Lingcod fishing has been GOOD. Lots of rockfish are also being caught. Crabbing has been GOOD.
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. Anglers did catch some nice springs, but you had to search for the fish. Some hatchery coho have also been caught. There were fish caught near Mandarte Island, Hamley Point and Moresby Island. Prawning has been FAIR for limits when traps are left out overnight and picked up the next day. Crabbing has been SPOTTY. 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 was closed for angling from July 15th to August 31ST and we have not had any new fishing reports.
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. The fishing has been slow in the middle of the day, but mornings and evenings have been good. 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. Shawnigan Lake has been good around the docks with spinnerbaits and wacky worms working well. Fast retrieves have been best in shallow s while slow retrieves have been best in deeper water.
Dave Petersen of the Western fishing League writers What a awesome weekend of fishing! Thank you to all the anglers that joined us for the Boater Series Season Finale Fish Off. Overall, the weather was good, a little more wind on Sunday, and a bit cooler then Saturday. Now for the results of the Fish Off!
In 1st place were Justin Booth and Tyrone Warth. Leaders on day one with a 5 fish total of 92”, they went to work on day 2, solidifying the win with a 5 fish total of 94″ and a 2-day total of 186″ Congratulations, and well-done boys!
Coming in 2nd place Matt Benson and Chris Rempel. Day one, 5 fish limit totalling 84.75″ and a very impressive day 2, 5 fish limit totalling 96.25″. Their 2-day total, 181″ Nice work out there guys, congrats
In 3rd place, Erick Pay and Catherine Pleasance. On day 1, their 5 fish limit totalled 90.75″
On day 2, they were able to find a 5 fish limit totalling 88.75″ securing their 3rd place spot on the podium, with a 2-day total of 179.5″That’s a great couple days of fishing Congratulations
And with that we say goodbye to another season of the Boater Series
Fishing Tip of the week:
Cover water! To find Coho, it is important to continue covering different water and depths until you have found a school. Once you find a school try to stick with it and you can often get more than one fish. Troll about twice the speed you would for chinooks and try not to get stuck sitting in one spot against the tide.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
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