Fishing Report for Week Ending April 3, 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. Halibut fishing wasn’t too bad either. 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 the Bedfords. Most of the fish were running from 6 to 10 lbs in size and the largest was a 14.6 lb spring from the Bedfords. 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 lot of halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was 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 and fish up to 52 lbs were caught on the weekend. 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 GOOD off Victoria. Constance Bank was good early in the week but the best fishing was closer in on the weekend. The harbour area produced really well on the weekend with 24.5, 18.25, 15 and 12 lb springs being caught.  Anchovies were a good bait and Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. 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.

Jordan Webb with his big halibut Jordan Webb with his big halibut


HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Jordan Webb caught a 67.1 lb halibut at Constance Bank on a herring to take over 3rd place on our leader board. 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 smaller size springs 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, but lots of the fish were just a little too small for retention. The Sidney Anglers held their Premier Salmon Derby this past weekend and 7 salmon were weighed in. The winning fish was a 10 lb 6 oz spring caught near Hamley Point by Mark Kosick. Second place went to a 9 lb 10 oz spring caught by Murray Kosick and a 9 lb 6 oz spring caught by Doug Ellison came in third. Prior to the derby, Mark Kosick landed 18 & 16 lb springs while test fishing in preparation for the derby. Springs have most recently been caught by Hamley Point, Cal Island, Moresby Island and in Satellite channel. There have also been a number of boats fishing in the north end of Saanich Inlet. Most anglers are fishing using tiny strip or anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.

Notable Catches – Jordan Webb caught a 67.1 lb halibut at Constance Bank on a herring bait. The Sidney Anglers’ Premier Derby was won by Mark Kosick with a 10 lb 6 oz spring caught near Hamley Point by. Second place went to a 9 lb 10 oz spring caught by Murray Kosick and a 9 lb 6 oz spring caught by Doug Ellison came in third. Prior to the derby, Mark Kosick landed 18 & 16 lb springs while test fishing in preparation for the derby.

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

 

FRESHWATER


The 10th Annual Elk Lake Fishing derby is on April 9th!


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 has been dropping steadily all week and the water level is 1.3 meters at the lake and 1.16 meters near Duncan today. There has been quite a lot of spawning activity going, 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. 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. 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 completed the early spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. A total of 29,599 trout have been released to date in 2016 in Vancouver Island lakes. On March 22nd, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake 75 trout with an average size of 243 grams. On March 17th, Kemp, Matheson and Spectacle lakes received 500 trout each with an average size of 250 grams. On March16th, 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 8th, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout with an average size of 225 grams.  On March 3rd, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout and Shawnigan Lake received 1,950 trout with an average size of 232 grams. On February 29th, 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 3rd, 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 – Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK 


Are you up to date on fishing regulations? Many anglers assume that the rules are the same from year to year but that’s not the case. We’ve just started a new annual cycle and already we’ve heard of anglers being caught for not knowing the current regulations. Don’t be one of these and review the current regulations before going on your next fishing adventure.


 

2016 Island Outfitters Leader Board 


Halibut

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

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

3) 67.1 lbs – Jordan Webb – Constance Bank – Herring – April 3rd

4) 63.2 lbs – Bruce Cook – Oak Bay – March 20th

5) 62.6 lbs – Tara Bardal – Oak Bay – Salmon Belly – February 11th

Trout

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

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

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 31st wins a special prize.

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