Fishing Report for Week Ending March 27, 2016

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Halibut fishing was GOOD if you picked the right time to fish the currents. Salmon fishing was GOOD when it wasn’t too windy.

Subject: FN0110-Recreational - Salmon - Chinook - Areas 19 and 20: Fishery Management Actions in effect to 23:59 hours Friday, June 17, 2016 Waters:  Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt to Sheringham Pt.). Management measure: You may retain two (2) chinook salmon per day.  These chinooks may be either- 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 waters is 45 cm in length. Management actions after June 17 will be announced in a second fishery notice.

FN0221- RECREATIONAL- Halibut - Management Measures in Effect April 1, 2016 Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2016 until further notice:- The maximum length for halibut is 133cm.- The daily limit for halibut is one (1).- The possession limit for halibut is two (2), only one of which may be greater than 83cm in length. Note: This is a change from last year.- The annual limit is six (6) halibut per license holder

For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc

 Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips. 

SOOKE – The salmon fishing was GOOD for winter springs this past week. Anchovies have been the top bait recently, especially with Cop Car and Purple Haze teaser heads. The 3”-4” Kingfisher, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are also top choices for Sooke anglers. Good colors have been Kitchen Sink, Irish Cream and No Bananas. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been ones with Moon Jelly patterns such as the Madi and the Lemon Lime.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were catching springs in the bay, near Beechey Head and Whirl Bay. An 18 lb hatchery fish from Beechey Head was the biggest salmon at the marina this past week. A 14.5 from Whirl Bay was the largest from that area. Insiide the bay the fish were running from 6 to 8 lbs in size. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Cop Car, Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were also effective. For flashers, the Madi, Lemon Lime and Purple Onion have been good. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina. There were also quite a few halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. There were springs at the entrance to the bay and at Whirl Bay. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water. Ross Hopkins got an 18 lb spring near the Can Buoy at 125’ in 160’ of water on an anchovy fished in a Purple Haze teaser/flasher combination. However, David Turenne was fishing at 36’ in 60’ of water near Bentick Island when he landed an 18 lb fin clipped chinook. There were many nice hatchery springs in the 11-18 lb range brought in this past week. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or any bright colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose teaser. 



HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Carolyn Cousins caught her first ever halibut, a 25 lb “chicken”. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank. 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 Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.



VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was HIT AND MISS off Victoria. Some areas produced really well and other areas did not produce at all. There were salmon on some spots on Constance Bank and Albert Head (on the pinnacles). Most of the salmon are still not very large in size, but there are a decent number of keepers out there.  Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced a few fish, but not too many. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and Cop Car colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Madi have been effective lately.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend, if you picked the right time with the tides. Walker Grant’s 133 cm, 75.8 pound halibut is now topping our leader board now. The big fish was caught right in front of Clover Point in 321 feet of water on fresh herring that was just netted up off the surface. . The best areas have been Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. 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 Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.



OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week and few people were fishing salmon in this area. The Flats have been holding some nice fish recently for those trolling close to the bottom. It’s been best in 100-140 depths. Good lures have been Green Splatterback Coho Killers, Skinny G spoons and APT Needlefish spoons.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. 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 Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. Fairfax Point and Mandarte Island produced several 20-24 lb springs one day this past week. There was a salmon derby in Mill Bay this past weekend, but only 7 salmon were weighed in from 70 boats fishing. The winning fish was a 13.5 lb spring caught near Whisky Point. Second place went to a 13 lb spring and a 10.75 lb spring came in third. There was also a small derby in Sidney and a 15.8 lb fish won that derby. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention though. There have also been a number of boats fishing in the north end of Saanich Inlet. Most anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. We also heard of a 79” halibut that was caught, videoed and released near Sidney. That fish would have been pushing 270 lbs if it had been weighed on a scale. 

Notable Catches – Walker Grant’s 133 cm, 75.8 pound halibut is now topping our leader board now. The big fish was caught right in front of Clover Point in 321 feet of water on fresh herring. Carolyn Cousins caught her first ever halibut, a 25 lb “chicken”. Ross Hopkins got an 18 lb spring near the Can Buoy in Pedder Bay at 125’ in 160’ of water on an anchovy fished with a Purple Haze teaser/flasher combination. David Turenne was fishing at 36’ in 60’ of water near Bentick Island when he landed an 18 lb fin clipped chinook

Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

 

FRESHWATER

The 10^th Annual Elk Lake Fishing derby will be held on April 9^th!

Tickets are now available at the store.

OVERVIEW – Fishing is PICKING UP in most lakes for both trout and bass. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, where the fishing has been good for these large trout. Steelheading has been good in most Island rivers.

COWICHAN RIVER – The water level is 1.62 meters at the lake and 1.41 meters near Duncan today. The water clarity has been good. There is quite a bit of spawning activity going on now, both from both steelhead and rainbow trout. There are lots of steelhead in the river and many of the fish being caught now are kelts. There is a dangerous sweeper above the Skutz Fall pull out and another one above the Bible Camp. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Beads and yarn, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Spoons can also be a great lure in these conditions. We’ve also heard of fly anglers hooking up with steelhead too. Fly fishing at the top end of the river for trout and steelhead has been good.

TROUT – Trout fishing was PICKING UP on most lakes in the South Island area. Most lakes have received the first stocking of catchable rainbow trout by now so there are more fish to be caught. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to 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 are catching trout with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in rainbow, 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 Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. On March 17^th, Kemp, Matheson and Spectacle lakes received 500 trout each with an average size of 250 grams. On March16^th, Durrance Lake received 187 brood stock trout with an average size of 675 grams and 1,255 trout with an average size of 242grams. On March 8^th, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout with an average size of 225 grams.  On March 3^rd, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout and Shawnigan Lake received 1,950 trout with an average size of 232 grams. On February 29^th, Prospect Lake received 2,000 trout, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout and Glen Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 222 grams. On March 3^rd, Elk Lake received 2,000 catchable rainbows and Shawnigan Lake received 1,950 trout averaging 232 grams.

BASS - Bass fishing is PICKING UP. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing the bottom, drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Smoke or Pumpkinseed Yum baits. 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 – Kody Stofer landed a 2 lb 3 oz rainbow trout and Jake Stofer a 1 lb 12 oz rainbow trout at Langford Lake on March 23^rd. 

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 into trouble.  

 

2016 Island Outfitters Leader Board 

Halibut

1) 75.8 lbs – Walker Grant – Waterfront – Herring - March 27^th

2) 68.4 lbs – Wayne Boyd – Constance Bank - February 7^th

3) 63.2 lbs – Bruce Cook – Oak Bay – March 20^th

4) 62.6 lbs – Tara Bardal – Oak Bay – Salmon Belly – February 11^th

5) 58.5 lbs – Alexander Janssen – Salmon Head - Constance Bank - February 7^th

Trout

1) 2 lbs 3 oz – Kody Stofer – Langford Lake – March 23^rd

2) 1 lb 12 oz – Jake Stofer – Langford Lake – March 23^rd 

Salmon

We are now waiting for the first salmon of the year to be weighed in at the store. So, bring your next big salmon in for the contest!

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 31^st wins a special prize.

See our event pages for details on upcoming events and like us on facebook!