CartFishing Report for Week Ending April 30, 2018
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was FAIR around the south Island with most of the Chinooks running from 3 to 18 lbs in size. Halibut fishing was FAIR during the tides and strong currents of the past week.
Subject: FN0346 - RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish - Lingcod and Rockfish - Areas 12 to 20 and 29 - Open Times and Limits - May 1, 2018 - Amendment to FN0343
LINGCOD Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for lingcod will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.Daily limit: one (1) Possession limit: two (2) Minimum Size: 65 cm Annual limit: ten (10)Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving. Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for lingcod, this includes catch and release.
ROCKFISH (Rockfish and Yelloweye Rockfish in the aggregate): Effective at 00:01 hours May 1 to 23:59 hours September 30, 2018 fishing for rockfish will open in the following areas: Areas: 12-1 to 12-13, 12-15 to 12-48, 13 to 19, 20-5 to 20-7 and 29-5.Daily limit: one (1) Possession limit: two (2) No size limit or annual limit is in effect. Gear: angling (hook and line) and spear fishing while diving.Areas 28 and 29 (except of Subarea 29-5) remain closed to fishing for rockfish, this includes catch and release.
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);
- B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfmto 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 FAIR on this past week. Most of the fish are from 3 to 8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one to 18 lbs. The springs were spread out throughout the Sooke area. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100 – 140 feet of water but there are some at mid water depths. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Anchovies are still the most popular choice for those fishing bait. Good choices for teaser head colors are Army Truck, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. For flashers, Red/Glow Hot Spots, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Madi and the Lemon Lime Chartreuse are popular. There were a few halibut caught this past week.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was FAIRLY DECENT this past week. Most of the fish were caught near Beechey Head, the Bedford Islands and Whirl Bay. The fish have not been too large this past week with the larger ones topping out in the low teens. Anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100 to 140 depths. The majority of anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers and Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, Madi, Lemon Lime and Red/Glow Hot Spot flashers have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits.
PEDDER BAY– Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. It was good in Whirl Bay but slow in Pedder Bay. The majority of the salmon have been from 4 to 6 lbs in size but some larger ones up to 14 lbs were caught. Most of the salmon have been caught close to the bottom in 120 to 140 feet of water but a few have also been caught at 80’ on the downrigger. Squirts were the hot lures again this past week with a green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white good color choices. Spoons have been producing the best and the Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the color choice in spoons. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime.
HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was FAIR this past Sunday. East Race and William Head were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Constance Bank this past week when the winds weren’t too blustery. Anglers have been getting hatchery springs into the high teens on the bank. In closer, there were springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island, just not too many. The best depths to fish were 90-140 feet but we’ve heard of some larger fish being caught at mid-water depths. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Green/Glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 4” spoons and Green/Glow Coyote spoons popular choices. Most of the boats out fishing were not after salmon this past weekend as the emphasis was on halibut.
HALIBUT - Fishing was GOOD for halibut this past Sunday. Constance Bank, the Mud Hole and Albert Head produced a few in the derby.
OAK BAY– Salmon fishing is FAIR in Oak Bay. There are salmon coming in from the Flats but not lots of them. It was slow around the Gap. Most of the salmon have been on the small side, but some nicer ones to 18 lbs were caught on Sunday. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay trolling lures are Wee Gs, Coho Killers and AP Tackleworks spoons. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers are doing best with Deep Stingers and Point Wilson darts.
HALIBUT - Fishing was FAIR for halibut on Sunday. Border Bank was where most of the halibut were caught.
SIDNEY– Salmon fishing was FAIR in the Sidney area. There were springs being caught near Pender Island, Moresby Island, Coal island and Hambley Point. Anglers using spoons found that APT Sandlance spoons, Coho Killers and Gibbs and Needle G spoons the most productive this past week. Suggested colours are Kitchen Sink and Irish Cream. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in Glow or UV Purple.
Notable Catches – Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing was PICKING UP in most lakes for trout and bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level has been dropping all week, but it is still high. Near the lake the water level is at 1.22 meters and near Duncan it’s at 1.07 meters. Fishing for trout in the upper river has been picking up. More warm weather should really increase the trout activity.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been PICKING UP for trout to at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the water temperatures warm up. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. There have been some chironomid hatches too. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. 2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for trout.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocking report of spring catchable rainbow trout into southern Vancouver Island lakes is as follows. On April 23rd, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout, Glen Lake 500 trout and Lookout Lake 250 trout weighing and average of 181.51 grams. On April 19th, Elk Lake received 1,900 trout weighing an average of 191.95 grams. On March 26th, Lookout Lake received 225 trout averaging 263.58 grams. On March 21st, Shawnigan Lake 304 trout and Dougan Lake received 500 trout averaging 263.58 grams. On March 13th, Shawnigan Lake received 600 trout, Thetis Lake 1,000 trout and Spectacle, Glen and Dougan Lakes 500 trout weighing 249.33 grams. On March 9th, Elk Lake received 1,800 trout, Prospect Lake 1,000 trout and Ida Anne Lake 250 trout averaging 255.17 grams. On March 8th, Durrance Lake received 1,000 trout, Shawnigan Lake 829 trout, Kemp and Matheson Lakes received 500 trout and Poirier Lake 300 trout averaging 246.87 grams. On March 3rd, Elk Lake and Prospect Lake were each stocked with 1,800 trout weighing 247.48 grams each. To find out about 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– Bass fishing is REALLY PICKING UP on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are moving into the shallows for spawning. During the day, spinner baits and crank baits are working well at times. Soft plastics rigged “Texas Style” are also a good choice when fishing drop offs and deeper structure. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year. 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
When fly fishing for trout in rivers, it is very important to check your flies frequently. The small hooks are easily damaged or broken by rocks or hard objects. This can occur on a back cast or as the fly bounces along the river bottom. Nothing is more frustrating than to miss a big fish and then find that the end off the hook was broken off on a previous cast.
2018 Island Outfitters Leader Boards
Trout
1) 8 lbs 8 oz – Rob Waldner – Langford Lake – Fly – March 31st
2) 5 lbs 4 oz – Kayden Howes – Elk Lake – Corn – February 12th
3) 4 lbs 11 oz – Allan Edgar – Langford Lake – Powerbait – January 12th
4) 4 lbs 5 oz – Tyler Clough – Langford Lake – Powerbait - April 2nd
5) 3 lbs 1 oz – Bob Johnson – Elk Lake – Green Carey fly - April 14th
Salmon
1) 23 lbs 8 oz – Sonia Benedic – Clover Point – Mint Tulip Hoochie - February 26th
2) 18 lbs – Martha George – Oak Bay Flats – AP “Chatham” spoon – April 22nd
3) 14 lbs 8 oz – Hannah Cottier – Constance Bank – Skinny G – February 11th
4) 10 lbs 8 oz – Grace Cottier – Constance Bank – Skinny G – February 11th
Halibut
1) 73.8 lbs – Brian Dow – Constance Bank – Herring – March 16th
2) 70.7 lbs – Ray Hawthorne – Discovery Island – Herring – March 10th
3) 66.3 lbs – Seth Papineau – Church Rock – Herring – March 12th
4) 64.1 lbs – Chad Dobranski -– Discovery Island – Herring – March 10th
5) 61.1 lbs – Trevor Walton – Oak Bay – Mackerel – March 10th
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 win a special prize.
See our event pages for details on upcoming events at http://fishingvictoria.com/events/
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