CartIsland Outfitters Fishing Report
Week Ending December 1, 2024
Saltwater Report
Saltwater Overview
Notices
Fishery Notice
This Fishery Notice supersedes FN0971 to announce the closure of the Recreational Halibut Fishery. The updated Fishery Notice reads as follows: The Department has reviewed in-season monthly catch estimates for the recreational halibut fishery with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board during this year's fishing season. Catch information indicates that the recreational share of the Total Allowable Catch for halibut has been achieved. Therefore, recreational fishing for halibut under the BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence will close effective 00:01 hours on October 9, 2024, until further notice. Variation Order: 2024-RCT-414 and 2024-RFQ-415. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Greg Hornby (Regional Manager Recreational Fisheries) - Greg.Hornby@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Sooke
Salmon fishing is GOOD for winter springs. Many of the winter springs were on the small side but a few up to 14 lbs were weighed in at Sooke Harbour Marina. The best fishing has been near Secretary Island, the Sooke Bluffs and the railer Park. Crabbing and shrimping has been GOOD in Sooke Basin.
Port Renfrew
Becher Bay
Salmon was FAIR TO GOOD inside the bay for springs up to 14 lbs. About half the boats fishing Whirl Bay and the Bedfords were catching springs. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well. Popular flashers have been the Betsey, the Bon Chovy, the Madi and Blue/Silver Hot Spots. Crabbing has been GOOD.
Pedder Bay
Salmon fishing has been GOOD around Pedder Bay. The chinook fishing has been best near the mouth of the bay and by William Head. It was a bit slower in Whirl Bay. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working well. Anchovies in the 12 pack or smaller sizes were the best natural bait and popular choices for teaser head colors being Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Betsey, the Bon Chovy, and Green/Glow Hot Spots. Crabbing has been EXCELLENT in the bay.
Victoria
Salmon fishing has been SLOW along the waterfront with the best area off Clover Point and towards Trial Island. It is still GOOD at Constance Bank, but not hot like in previous weeks. The springs have been small, with lots just under legal size. The keepers have mostly been around 6-7 lbs in size. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, and AP Tackleworks have been working very well. Anchovies were effective as well and popular choices for teaser head colors being Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Bon Chovy, the Madi and Blue/Silver Hot Spots. Crabbing has been EXCELLENT.
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing has been GOOD in this area. Springs are being caught both on the Flats and Gap. The springs are mostly feeders from 3-5 lbs in size, but some larger fish have been caught. Most anglers have been trolling, but anglers jigging are also getting a few. The best chinook fishing has been for fish holding close to the bottom. Effective spoons this past week were the AP Needlefish, Green/Glow Skinny Gs, Wee Gs. and Coho Killers. Crabbing has been GOOD.
Sidney
Very few anglers were out fishing this past week. Lately, chinook fishing is SPOTTY with many undersize springs being caught. The best fishing was near Coal Island and Fairfax Point. Crabbing and prawning has been GOOD.
Recreational prawn and shrimp fishers are advised that the harvest of prawns and shrimp by trap, ring net, or spear while diving, will close in the following Subareas as described in the Pacific Fishery Management Area Regulations: Subareas 19-7 to 19-12 inclusive (Saanich Inlet);
These areas will be closed for the following periods:
from 00:01 hours December 1 until 23:59 hours December 15,
from 00:01 hours January 1, 2024, until further notice.
Saltwater Notable Catches
NOTABLE CATCHES: Please send photos (in jpeg format) with name(s) and a description of your notable catch to our email fishingreports@fishingvictoria.com
Freshwater Report
Freshwater Overview
Trout fishing is GOOD with recent and ongoing stocking of fall catchable rainbow trout in local lakes. Bass fishing is GOOD as the fish are in the fall feeding pattern. Salmon are moving into the rivers, so be sure to check the regulations before going out to fish for them. There will be no updated fishing report for the next couple of weeks.
Notices
Cowichan River
Effective until 23:59 hours December 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chum Salmon is two (2) per day in the following areas: From 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park. Effective 00:01 hours November 16, 2024, until hours 23:59 December 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chum Salmon is two (2) per day in the following areas: From 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the tidal boundary.
Anglers are having good success with trout and salmon in the upper reaches with egg imitations.
Trout
Trout fishing has been GOOD at most local lakes as fall 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 November 18th, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 266.236g in size. On November 8th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,100 trout averaging 248.181 g in size. On November 7th, Ida Anne Lake received 150 trout averaging 233.238 g in size. On November 6th, Glen Lake received 285.423g in size. On November 1st, Elk Lake received 2,500 trout and Prospect Lake 500 trout averaging 239.585g in size. On October 31st, Thetis Lake received, 1000 trout, Dougan, Langford, and Metchosin Lakes each received 500 trout and Lookout Lake 250 trout averaging 244g in size. On October 24th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout averaging 231.348g in size. On October 16th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,400 trout and Spectacle Lake 500 trout averaging 213.872 in size. 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
The fishing has been GOOD as of late. The bass have left the shallows for deeper waters and are transitioning into more of a winter pattern. The best fishing has been in the 15-to-30-foot depths, depending on what lake and what time of day. Most anglers are fishing on the humps or drop-offs fishing with Ned or dropshot rigs, Rapalas, Crush City plastics, Powerbait, plastics, Zman plastics, and 13 Fishing plastics. Very slow and deep fishing might just get you into some fun. Anglers are still seeing double-digit days. ot lakes have been Elk/Beaver and Quennell.
Freshwater Notable Catches
Please send photos (in jpeg format) with name(s) and a description of your notable catch to our email fishingreports@fishingvictoria.com
Fish Tip of the Week
When fly fishing the rivers for steelhead while using a sink tip or full sinking line, keep your leaders short. Anything more than 3 feet allows the fly to float up with the currents and not stay down near the fish on the bottom. And be sure to keep mending your line!
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