CartFishing Report for Week Ending March 29, 2015
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Chinook fishing was SLOW for hatchery chinooks up to 18 pounds. Halibut fishing was GOOD. Most anglers were out for halibut as the license year ends this coming week and they want to finish filling their year’s limit.
Effective until 23:59 hours Friday, June 12, 2015 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt. to Sheringham Pt.), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked between 45 cm and 67 cm or hatchery marked greater than 67 cm in length. The minimum size limit in these areas is 45 cm in length.
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SOOKE – The fishing for winter springs was SLOW this past weekend. Choice of lures has stayed very similar to previous weeks. Anchovies are working best with Green and Bloody Nose teaser heads being the best color choices. G-Force spoons in Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Gibbs Madi, the Outfitter and the Jellyfish UV. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend with most of the action taking place east of the harbour entrance.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was FAIR in East Sooke. That said, most anglers were heading east fishing for halibut before the end of the month. Once again, most of the salmon were caught either in Whirl Bay or off the east side of Becher Bay. Most anglers were trolling in 130 feet to 160 of water and were from 10 to 18 lbs in size. The larger fish were caught at mid water depths and not close to the bottom. Anchovies were the most productive bait and Purple Haze and Green Glow were the most productive teaser heads. Spoons and plastic baits have also been working well. Spoons such as G-Force in the smaller sizes have been working as well, both in No Bananas or Glow/Green. Squirts are working too with Pistachio, Purple Haze and Glow white the best patterns. For flashers, the Madi and the Purple Onion have been very good lately.
PEDDER BAY – Chinook salmon fishing was FAIR and Whirl Bay was the best spot on the weekend. However, some springs were also being caught in 110 feet of water at the mouth of the bay. There were some wild fish in the low twenties caught and released this past week. The fish are following the bait and you have to find the bait to get consistent results. Most of the keepers weighed from 6 to 17 lbs and were caught near the bottom in 140 feet of water. However, we’ve heard that the larger springs are being caught at 70 feet on the downrigger. Anchovy were the most productive lure for springs with Green Chrome, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads. Trolling with 3” and 3.5” spoons have been effective for catching springs these past few weeks. Coho Killers and G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working the best. Flashers that remain popular include the Madi and the Purple Onion.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week with fish up to 55 lbs caught. Most anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
VICTORIA – Fishing for winter springs was FAIR off Victoria. Anglers have been catching chinooks close to shore and out at Constance Bank. During the weekend the bank produced the most springs. Although there were nice fish caught, seals remained a problem this week. Esquimalt, Brotchie and Clover Point also produced fish up to 12 lbs this week. Anchovies have been working well in glow colors outside the harbour. Good choices in plastic baits are the Cloverleaf, Purple Haze and the Glo Below. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in green and glow colours have been very effective.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Halibut were biting at the current changes and anglers landed fish up to 60 lbs. Most anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing remained FAIR for those trolling out on the Flats and in the Gap. Springs upf to 12 lbs were being caught, mostly on the flats. Anglers were using squirts, spoons, or tiny strip. Many of the fish that were being caught trolling were caught on Coho Killer spoons and 3” to 4” G-Force & Gypsy spoons. Good squirts were the Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. Good flashers have been the Purple Onion, Green/silver or Green Jellyfish.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Ryan Mace landed a 58.2 lb halibut near Discovery Island while using herring for bait. Halibut were biting at the current changes and dog fish were a bit of an issue. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOWER near Sidney this past week. Salmon fishing was best by Saanichton Spit. It’s also been good in the Inlet near Wain Rock. Elsewhere it was very quiet. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies recently and the hot patterns for springs now are Purple Haze, J-79 and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and 50/50 colors. Crabbing has been excellent. Halibut up to 50 lbs were being caught this past week in the deep water just east of Mandarte and Halibut Islands.
Notable Catches – Ryan Mace landed a 58.2 lb halibut off Discovery Island while using herring for bait.
Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area.. Although not many fish are being caught, some of those are big ones. Winter run steelhead has been GOOD but many of the fish are kelts. Remember that ALL wild trout (steelhead included) must be released on ALL streams in Region 1. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Only single barb less hooks are allowed for all fishing on island streams and rivers.
COWICHAN RIVER –The water level has gone up again over the weekend to around 1.55 meters near Duncan. The steelhead fishing has been good but many of the fish now are kelts. The Riverbottom area has remained the best area to fish, but there are steelies in all parts of the river now. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs, Jigs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Many anglers have been successful catching winter runs on flies recently but most anglers chose to use floats and gear. The trout fishing in the upper river is excellent. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on salmon and steelhead eggs. Salmon egg imitations are the go to lures for trout.
TROUT – Trout fishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. On March 13th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,164 trout averaging 248 grams. On March 12th, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 239 grams. On March 10th, Elk Lake received 1,850 trout, Lookout Lake received 200 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 50 trout with an average weight of 240 grams. On March 9th, Thetis Lake received 1,250 trout and Kemp, Matheson, Glen and Dougan Lakes each relieved 500 trout with an average size of 234 grams. So far this spring, 27,317 have been released into Island lakes.
Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and right on the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers have been doing well with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern. The biggest trout usually come from Langford Lake and Elk Lake. Bryan Barter caught a 4.7 lb rainbow trout at Fuller Lake this past Sunday and takes over first place on our leader board.
BASS - Bass fishing is SLOW but starting to pick up. At this time of year the bass are near deeper drop offs and are hard to find. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. Crank baits have been effective too when fished around 12 feet down with a fast retrieve. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks, most productive in 4” Yum bait colors Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Look for the fish suspended by drop offs close to shore along docks, branches, and any overhanging structure. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
Notable Catches – Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
All fishing and hunting licenses expire at the end of this month! So be sure to get your new licenses before your next trip outdoors. There often are changes in the regulations, so take some time to read and review the regulations before going out and accidentally getting trouble.
Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015
Salmon
1) 24.3 lbs – Mark Parker- Waterfront – Anchovy - January 6th
Halibut
1) 58.2 lbs – Ryan Mace – Oak Bay – Herring - March15th
2) 55.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – February 14th
3) 51.0 lbs – Trevor Gains – Oak Bay – Mackerel – March 1st
Trout
1) 4.7 lbs – Bryan Barter – Fuller Lake – March 8th
2) 4.3 lbs – Paul Tilley – Langford Lake – January 17th
3) 3 lbs 13 oz – Mike Reid – Elk Lake – March 8th
4) 2.4 lbs – Bryan Barter – Elk Lake – March 23rd
2015 DERBIES and EVENTS
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout and Halibut Leader Boards. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize.
April 11th. The 9th Annual Elk Lake Take a Kid Fishing Derby. Tickets are Adults - $25, Children under 16 - $10. All ticket holders are entered into the draw for a new boat and motor package. First place prizes of $1,000 for the largest tout and the largest bass. There are lots of fish prizes and draw prizes. This derby has live release weigh boats and weigh-station located strategically on the lake. For more info contact us at 350-475-4969.
19th Annual Just For the Halibut Derby – April 25th – 26th 2015.
See our event pages for details on upcoming events and like us on facebook!