Fishing Reports – October 16, 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)
The last day of the coho season was yesterday, October 15. Catch rate has dropped off markedly the past week. Spoons were catching most of our fish.
Report submitted by Dave Croonquist, Puget Sound Anglers – North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca)
The last day of the coho season was yesterday, October 15. Catch rate has dropped off markedly the past week. Spoons were catching most of our fish.
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. Race Rocks to the Sooke Bluffs is the best spot to find coho. Chinook fishing has PICKED UP in most areas. The winter springs are now more common, and some as large as 12 lbs have been caught. Some chum salmon are also being caught. Crabbing was GOOD in most areas. There will be no updated fishing report for the next couple of weeks.
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 coho have been either close to the entrance of the basin or out in the deep water. Ebb tides produced the most action this past week. The majority are unclipped fish and are in the 5-10 lb size. A few bigger ones were caught. The majority of coho are unclipped fish. Chinook fishing has PICKED UP throughout the area. However, many boats are not catching any salmon at all. Some chum salmon are also showing up in the catches. 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, AP Tackleworks spoons and Coyotes have been working well. 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
No report this week.
Becher Bay
Coho fishing has been FAIR 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 and hoochies have been the best lures for coho. Chinook fishing was PICKING UP this past week. The most popular spots were the Trap Shack and 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. 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
Salmon fishing was PICKING UP according to Pedder Bay marina. Most of the salmon being caught are winter springs. 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. Coho fishing has been best in 500–600-foot depths and at 75-120 feet on the downrigger. Race Rocks to Beechey Head has been the area most anglers are fishing for coho. 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.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
Victoria
Salmon fishing is PICKING UP for winter springs. Constance Bank was the hot spot this past week, while it was quite slow along the waterfront. Most boats that fished the waterfront came back empty this past week. 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. Crabbing has been GOOD.
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 FAIR in Oak Bay. There are winter springs in Oak Bay and some coho. The Flats have produced some fish. Most anglers are fishing from 60 feet down to the bottom for the springs and higher up for the coho. 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. 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 SPOTTY this past week. Anglers did catch some winter springs and coho, but you had to search for the fish. There were fish caught near 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 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 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
Salmon are migrating into the river, and it looks like another year of good returns. Trout fishing with egg patterns should be good where open.
Trout
Trout fishing has been GOOD at most local lakes as recent stocking of catchable rainbow trout has put lots of fish 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 continues stocking of catchable triploid rainbow trout into Vancouver Island lakes. On October 9th, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout and Colwood Lake 250 trout averaging 215.449g in size. 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.
Once the mature chinook and coho have made it up the rivers to spawn, it is time to switch your tactics to catch the winter or feeder springs. Try shortening your leaders to 3’ to 4’ and switching to Coho Killers, Wee G’s, Skinny G’s and AP Tackleworks spoons in 3” to 4” sizes and ultraviolet squirts such as purple haze and electric chair behind glow and UV flashers. Also, troll faster and fish deeper!
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969, info@fishingvictoria.com www.fishingvictoria.com
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