Island Outfitters Fishing Report
Week Ending March 17, 2024
Saltwater Report
Saltwater Overview
Sooke
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week, but few anglers were fishing. Most of the winter springs were on the small side, but some larger ones have been caught. The best fishing was just off Otter Point and the Sooke Bluffs. Small 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. Halibut fishing was FAIR with the best fishing off Muir Creek and Jordan River. Crabbing has been PRETTY GOOD in Sooke.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the winter springs were on the small side, but some larger ones have been caught. The best fishing was in Whirl Bay, off the Bedfords and off Beechey Head.. Small 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 SPOTTY inside the bay.
Pedder Bay
Halibut fishing has been EXCELLENT. On Sunday, 30 halibut were brought in by anglers for an average catch of 1 halibut per boat The currents were good and most areas produced some fish. Many of the halibut have been coming from out in the mud in over 300 feet of water. The largest one this past week was a 126 cm halibut caught by Glen Varney. Constance Bank has also produced some limits of smaller halibut.
Salmon fishing has been FAIR out of Pedder Bay. Salmon fishing has been best in Pedder Bay, Whirl Bay, and Church Rock. 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 good baits and popular choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Guide Series Oki ‘s and Glow Hot Spots. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS in the bay.
Victoria
Salmon fishing was FAIR off Victoria. Constance Bank was better this past week for larger salmon while anglers along the waterfront were catching the smaller ones. Most of the springs were 5 to 7 lbs in size, but larger ones over 10 lbs have been caught. The 120 -150-foot depths have been holding springs between Brotchie Ledge and Trial Island. Spoons such as Krippled “KC”, Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, small, from and AP Tackleworks have been working very well. Hoochies have been good in glow colour patterns. Anchovies are always effective for winter springs and popular choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Popular flashers have been the Herring Aid, Madi and Blue/Silver Hot Spots. Halibut fishing was FAIR. Large numbers of dogfish and some big skates were caught by some anglers. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS and many of the crabs were soft shells.
Esquimalt Anglers have a new Facebook page for members posting pictures, reports and those interested in the club. Search for Esquimalt Anglers Marina to find the group on Facebook.
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing has been FAIR in Oak Bay. Springs had been caught on the Flats and at the Gap. The springs were small, mostly 4- 8 lbs in size but some hatchery larger springs were caught this past week. Most anglers have been trolling. The best chinook fishing has been for fish holding close to the bottom. Effective spoons this past week were the 4” White Hoochy AP Needlefish, Bon Chovy Skinny Gs as well as Glow Herring Aid Wee Gs. and Coho Killers. Crabbing has been FAIR.
Sidney
Chinook fishing was FAIR. Some keeper winter springs have been caught, as well as some smaller just unders. The salmon have been scattered and you must find the bait, but when you do, the action is good. Sidney Anglers held a derby this past weekend and the winner was Bob Haney with an 11.1 lb spring caught near Coal island. Spots to try are Samsum Narrows, Wain Rock, Arbutus Point, Coal Island, Fairfax Point and Sidney Channel. AP Spoons have been the most popular lure, especially 4” Green Ghost, MVP and White Hoochy needlefish spoons. Crabbing has been HIT OR MISS.
The Sidney Anglers Association’s 2024 Salmon Enhancement Fundraiser will be on Saturday, March 30th and Sunday March 31st. The event will be hosted by Port Sidney Marina this year with the Friday evening BBQ and merchandise draws on Friday, March 29th, and the weigh-in and final prize presentation all held at the Event Tent at the end of wharf “A”. First prize - $6,000, Second prize - $2,000, Third prize - $1000 Hidden and a Weight Prize also. Boat tickets will be selling for $250 per boat with only 75 tickets available.
Halibut
Subject: FN0084-Recreational - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) - Halibut - Fishery Opening February 3, 2024:
Effective at 00:01 hours February 3, 2024, until further notice recreational fishing for halibut will open coast-wide with the following measures in effect as noted below:
Limits and sizes: Effective at 00:01 hours February 3, 2024, until March 31, 2024: The daily limit is one (1) halibut per day. The possession limit for halibut is EITHER of: one (1) halibut measuring 90 cm to 126 cm in length (69 cm to 102 cm head-off), OR ---- two (2) halibut, each measuring under 90 cm in length (69 cm head-off).
No person shall retain a Halibut greater than 126 cm head-on length (102 cm head-off). Head-off measurements are made from the base of the pectoral fin at its most forward point to the extreme end of the middle of the tail.
The following is a reminder of the South Coast Area Chinook management measures currently in effect and continuing January 1, 2024, until further notice. The daily limit for Chinook is two (2) per day in the following Areas: Areas 11 to 27, 28, 111, 121, 123 to 127; and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8.
Reminder: Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for further fishing closures, regulations, and information for specific Areas. Variation Order(s): 2023-RFQ-066, 2023-RFQ-265
Saltwater Notable Catches
NOTABLE CATCHES: Sidney Anglers held a salmon derby this past weekend and the winner was Bob Haney with an 11.1 lb spring caught near Coal Island.
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 and bass fishing is PICKING UP with the warmer weather. Steelhead fishing is FAIR.
Notices
Cowichan River
Steelhead are being caught in the lower river and the Riverbottom area. The water level near Duncan rose to almost 1.4 Meters on Tuesday but has steadily dropped since then to 1.2 meters near Duncan. Fishing conditions are excellent.
The Cowichan River from the CNR Trestle at mile 70.2 to Skutz Falls is closed to fishing until 23:59 hours April 30, 2024.
Trout
Trout fishing has been SLOW at most local lakes. There has been little activity near the surface and most action is coming from just off the bottom. The best fishing has been in the Elk, Langford, Prospect and Langford Lakes where the most trout have recently been 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 Langford Lake Spring Fling Derby: Hey there everyone it's that time of the year again. Last year’s kids derby was such a huge success we have decided to make it a annual derby. We ended up raising just under 830$ last year for the BC Cancer society which ended up at our local Lodge, "Vancouver Island Lodge - Canadian Cancer society" in honour of Glen Chwojka who lost his battle with cancer a few years ago. The Canadian Cancer society has teamed up with us on this event to help promote and fundraise money for the event to try to break last year’s amount. I will be attaching a link to this page so that you can go and donate whenever you'd like towards this event. This will all be tallied together at the end with ticket donations to see how much we raised.
Tickets will be by donation again and all donations will be going to our Local lodge "Vancouver Island Lodge" once again. Tickets will be available April 28th in store at these locations: Island Outfitters 1681A Island Hwy and the Langford Lake Boat launch 7-8 AM April 28th.
All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver and all children under 16 will require a parent/guardian signature to comply with our permit from the city. Fish weigh ins on shore will be at these locations from 8 AM-2:30 PM: Langford Lake Beach on Leigh Place, the fishing dock by the YMCA, the new dock on the trail by the water walkway and the fishing dock at Kitty Le Quesne trail. Fish weigh ins on the water will be done by two separate boats on each side of the lake, starting at 8AM-2:30PM. They will have a Canadian flag hanging off the back of their boat to be identified.
We will be limiting prizes to 1 prize per guest. This is a Kids derby so most of the prizes are for the kids, HOWEVER, we have a few for adults too. There will be random prize draws, a hidden weight prize, and of course the heaviest trout for youth and adults. Here are some of the categories to look forward too along with the random giveaways and few other prizes: Heaviest trout ages 19+, heaviest trout ages 13-18, heaviest trout ages 12 and under and a mystery draw for all kids under 16, and adult’s smallest trout.
There will also be a Fly-Casting seminar at the Langford Lake beach Park held by "Zak Davis" from Robinsons outdoor store from 12-2pm and he will also be tying flies for fly fishing with kids one on one throughout the day at the same location. Zak is a phenomenal teacher in both casting and tying so it should be a great time. There will be another fly tying station going throughout the day for kids to learn to tie flies at the other end of the lake. This will be located at the new family dock on the trail by the water walkway. This will be held by "Finley Dodge" a very avid fly fisherman and fly tyer.
The end ceremonies will be held at the "Langford Lake Beach Park" at the end of Leigh Place for 4:30pm the same day. Event parking will be of course around the lake and the "Event overflow Parking" for the city of Langford which is located at the top of "West Shore Parkway" on the right-hand side by the roundabout. We ask people to please not park in the YMCA parking lot. This should be a fun time just like last year!
Stocking of Fraser Valley catchable triploid rainbow just started recently with some trout being released in Central Island lakes.
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
Fishing is PICKING UP in all lakes. The bass have started to move up to feed in shallower waters and closer to shore. Bass were caught this weekend in the shallows as well as deeper water. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits were getting strikes in the shallower water and jigs, Ned's, dropshot and jerk baits in the deep depths.
The Western Fishing League held their WFL ISLAND “ICEBREAKER” tournament on Saturday, March 16th.. This was an online, catch, photo, release tournament open to Vancouver Island and Saltspring Island lakes.
There were 43 entries, with anglers mostly spread out over three lakes, Elk/Beaver, Shawnigan and Quennell, and 19 anglers entered their best catch.
Coming in 1st was Sawyer Nottelman with a lunker 21.25" Beaver Lake largemouth bass. Sawyer took home $387.00 for his effort. In 2nd place was Tyrone Warth with a 20" bass earning him a cool $232.20. In 3rd place was Justin Booth with a 19" bass, pocketing himself $154.80 for his day of fishing.
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
Only a couple of weeks left to finish up your yearly possession limit of salmon or halibut! All fishing and hunting licenses expire at the end of this month! So be sure to get your new licenses before your first trip outdoors in April. 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.