Fishing Reports – October 9, 2024
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
No report this week.
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
No report this week.
Marine Area 3 (La Push)
No report this week.
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
No report this week.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point)
MA5 and MA6 went to a non-selective coho fishery on September 27. For reasons known only to the fishing gods, the bite really dropped off. Fish are being caught, but not in the numbers we were experiencing just two weeks ago. My boat limited today in about three hours. I’m thinking we were one of the luckier boats as we didn’t see many nets flying. Our four fish came between 35′ and 45′ on the wire. A Herring Aide spoon accounted for three fish and a Cop Car spoon took the fourth fish. We’re hoping more fish show up over the next two weeks. The season ends October 15.
Report submitted by Dave Croonquist, Puget Sound Anglers – North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca)
MA 5 and 6 went to a non-selective coho fishery on September 27. For reasons known only to the fishing gods, the bite really dropped off. Fish are being caught, but not in the numbers we were experiencing just two weeks ago. My boat limited today in about three hours. I’m thinking we were one of the luckier boats as we didn’t see many nets flying. Our four fish came between 35′ and 45′ on the wire. A Herring Aide spoon accounted for three fish and a Cop Car spoon took the fourth fish. We’re hoping more fish show up over the next two weeks. The season ends October 15.
On a side note, the City of Port Angeles has pulled half of the floats at the Ediz Hook launch to reduce the chance of damage/loss should we have an early fall storm. I think there are five or six floats still in the water. Launching will be challenging at lower tide levels. The Yacht Basin ramp is seeing an uptick in usage.
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.
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.
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.
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)
No report this week.
Marine Area 10 (Seattle / Bremerton)
No report this week.
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 until October 15th, 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
No report this week.
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 Fishing in the Alberni Inlet and much of Barkley Sound is slowly coming to a close for what one would call the Summer Sport Fishing Season. Many of the Chinook and Coho have made their way into the many streams, creeks, and rivers that are located in this Pacific Rim area. Barkley Sound especially in the Bamfield area has continued to have a few Chinook and a relatively good number of Coho landed up to the end of this past weekend. The Bamfield Wall from the Bamfield Harbour Mouth to Poett Nook and areas from the Bamfield Harbour Mouth to Whittlestone have been the best spots for those anglers enjoying some of the fantastic early Fall Days we have experienced. The Coho have been in fairly shallow water and hitting hoochies. The standard AORL 12 and some glow whites, green dark spatter back and the T-Rex hoochie have all been working. Chinook have been attracted by the same hoochies and also anchovy in green and purple haze and herring aid teaser heads behind blue mirror or gold and purple flashers. Barkley Sound during the winter can have some great fishing for Feeder or Winter Chinook. Usually December through April are the best months. In March the first Chinook in the Early Summer Run headed to the big watersheds to the south begin to show up in the sound and feast on the abundant amounts of bait fish found in many areas.
Beautiful Chinook salmon landed on a foggy late September morning in Barkley Sound fishing with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing. This fish hit anchovy at thirty seven feet using anchovy in a purple haze teaser head
Fall Coho landed in Barkley Sound using a green spatter back hoochie in twenty-five feet of water.
The Sport Fishing in the Alberni Inlet has been very slow over the past weeks. The salmon are anxious to make their way to their spawning grounds and have not been interested in hitting any of the many lures sport anglers have tried. The Inlet did see some terrific Sockeye fishing in June, July and even the first couple of weeks into August. The Chinook and Coho fishing was at times unpredictable this past year. Historically Chinook fishing is phenomenal from mid August and into early September. This year it was a little different with “some” great days in the Harbour, Lone Tree, and Dunsmuir. The best fishing opportunities however were out at the Franklin Wall and Bells Bay.
Returning Chinook and Coho have recently picked up over the last ten days. This beautiful Chinook Salmon was landed casting with Roe as bait and floats on the Somass River
With the salmon now migrating into the Somass River System there is some very good river fishing along the river banks for those that enjoy walking the river or by guided jet boats. The Escapement for Chinook salmon is now over twenty-two thousand and as of October 3rd the Coho escapement is just over sixteen thousand.. The Sockeye return in terms of escapement into Sproat and Great Central Lakes was excellent with over three hundred and seventy-five thousand Sockeye going through the counters. Those anglers keen on river fishing are doing well casting and using Roe for Chinook salmon. The Coho are hitting blue fox spinners and Coho and Crocodile spoons. In the next few weeks when the peak of the natural spawn takes place the Fall Steelhead fishing should really pickup especially for those avid fly fishermen. There is estimated to be over Thirteen Hundred Fall Steelhead in the system. The sport fishing for Steelhead should be phenomenal.
Coho salmon landed with guide Nick. These guests had a wonderful day on the Somass River. This Coho was landed using a Blue Fox sspinner
We are now organizing our lodge trips for 2025. The lodge is located in the pristine and scenic waters of Barkley Sound. These trips are wonderful and are full fishing and accommodation packages. Most of the sport fishing for Chinook and Coho occurs in the protected waters of the Sound. There is offshore fishing for Halibut and later in the summer for Chinook and Coho. Day trips to Barkley Sound are available and Day trips in the Alberni Inlet for Sockeye fishing which begins mid-June and continuing through July. Chinook and Coho fishing usually begins by the 10th of August. These trips are wonderful and it is never to early to organize.
Report & pics submitted by Doug Lindores, Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (888) 214-7206 dlindy@shaw.cawww.catchsalmon-ca.com
South Vancouver Island overview:
Coho fishing has been FAIR. Most of the coho are in the 5-10 lb size with some larger ones also being caught. The majority of coho are unclipped fish. Chinook fishing has SLOWED DOWN in most areas. There is still the occasional mature spring being caught, but winter springs are now more common. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD until the closure. Crabbing was GOOD 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 FAIR, but you had to search for the schools. The majority are unclipped fish. Most of the coho are 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. That said, a 24.7 lb chinook was caught off Beechey Head. 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
No report this week.
Becher Bay
Coho fishing has been GOOD but you had to work to find them. Anglers are catching mostly unclipped coho. The majority of the coho are 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 SLOW inside the bay.
There was a cash only coho derby on Saturday and the winning fish was a 12.1 lb coho caught by Randy Ross. Over 50 fish were seen at the weigh scale during the derby.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Pedder Bay
Salmon fishing was NOT TO BAD according to Pedder Bay marina. Most of the salmon being caught are unclipped coho. Coho fishing has been best in 500–600-foot depths and at 75-120 feet on the downrigger. Whirl Bay to Beechey Head has been the area most anglers are fishing. Anglers were getting some springs at the mouth of the bay and some outside in Whirl Bay. The springs have been winter springs in the 50-55 cm length. 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. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well.
Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Two to three halibut are being seen each day at the cleaning table. Most of the halibut are coming from Constance Bank.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Victoria
Coho fishing has been SLOWING DOWN. The vast majority of coho were unclipped fish up to 12 lbs. Constance Bank was the most productive area this past. Chinook salmon fishing SLOWED DOWN, and most chinooks are winter springs, and many boats came back empty this past week. 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. 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 FAIR at Constance Bank and in the Mud Hole. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was FAIR until the closure. Crabbing has PICKED UP.
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 SPOTTY in Oak Bay. There are mostly feeder springs in Oak Bay and some coho. The Flats have produced some fish. 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 FAIR south of Discovery Island. Rockfish and Lingcod fishing was GOOD until the closure. 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 and coho, but you had to search for the fish. 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 was GOOD until the closure.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes and Rivers
Trout fishing is GOOD with recent and ongoing stocking of fall catchable rainbow trout in local lakes. Bass fishing has SLOWED DOWN as the fish have moved into the fall feeding pattern. Salmon have stared moving into the rivers, so be sure to check the regulations before going out to fish for them.
Cowichan River
Chinooks have now started migrating into the river and it looks like another year of good returns. Trout fishing with egg patterns should be good.
Trout
Trout fishing has been GOOD at most local lakes as recent fish stocking has put lots of trout into 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.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has resumed stocking of catchable triploid rainbow trout into Vancouver Island lakes. On October 4th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout, Thetis Lake 1,000 trout and Glen Lake 500 trout averaging 216.391g in size. On October 3rd, Durrance Lake received 2,000 tout and Ida Anne Lake 200 trout averaging 222.512 g in size. On October 2nd, Kemp Lake received,1,000 trout, Matheson Lake 500 trout and Poirier Lake 250 trout averaging 212.946g in size. On October 1st, Prospect Lake and Langford Lake each received 2,000 trout and Lookout Lake 250 trout averaging 225.862 in size. On September 26th, Langford Lake received 1,016 trout averaging 700 grams in size (over 1.5 lbs each!). On September 25th, Prospect Lake received 1,000 trout averaging 700 grams in size (over 1.5 lbs each!).
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
Dave Petersen of the Western fishing League writes that bass fishing has been HIT or MISS on most lakes. Lots of small fish up shallow, but it looks like the bigger fish have gone deeper in this cooler weather. We have been seeing fish caught in the 20′ range with Ned rigs and dropshots. The fall feed is starting now. Bass will come up to feed on baitfish at certain times throughout the day. Crankbaits, jerk baits, and swimbaits will work well at these times. Shawnigan Lake and Quennell Lake have been producing nice size fish and decent numbers.
Fishing Tip of the week:
Know your salmon! Wild chum and coho salmon look very similar to most anglers, but there are different regulations for these species. And at this time of year, you are apt to catch both in local waters. Before you keep some to eat, make sure of what you’ve caught and refer to the fish identification pages of your tidal water Sport Fishing Guide if you have any questions.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
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