CartIsland Outfitters Fishing Report
Week Ending May 12, 2024
Saltwater Report
Saltwater Overview
Notices
Fishery Notice
This Fishery Notice announces the re-opening of the mark-selective fisheries that were approved with the 2023/24 Southern Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. Area 12 (portions of Broughton Archipelago and Knight Inlet): Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 14, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day hatchery marked or unmarked, with a maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook. For clarity, there is no maximum size limit on hatchery marked Chinook. These measures apply in the following waters: Subareas 12-27, 12-28, 12-35, 12-38, and 12-40; and That portion of 12-26 north of line from Dinner Point on Village Island (50°37.628'N, 126°30.322'W) across to a point on the opposite shore on Turnour Island (50°37.536'N, 126°29.845' W); AND east of the Lower Clio RCA boundary line at 50°35.397'N, 126°31.982'W; 50°34.943'N, 126°32.080'W; and That portion of 12-39 northeast of a line from Gordon Point on Broughton Island (50°45.885'N, 126°44.158'W) across to the RCA boundary on Eden Island (50°45.510'N, 126°42.831'W); AND those portions of Subarea 12-39 east of the Eden-Bonwick-Midsummer-Swanson Islands RCA; and That portion of Subarea 12-41 north of a line from Popplewell Point (50º50.756'N, 126º57.317'W) to the RCA boundary at Bourmaster Point (50º50.700'N, 126º55.574'W). Reminder: The minimum size for all Chinook is 62 cm in Area 12 (excluding Subarea 12-14). Area 13 (Portions of Bute Inlet and Ramsay Arm): Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 14, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day hatchery marked or unmarked, with a maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook. For clarity, there is no maximum size limit on hatchery marked Chinook. These measures apply in the following waters: That portion of Subarea 13-19 northerly of a line that runs from 50°19.584'N, 125°00.292'W (on Raza Island) to 50°19.9463'N, 125°01.9274'W (southeast of Frances Bay); and Subarea 13-21. Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Area 13. Area 15 (portions of Toba Inlet): Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 14, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day hatchery marked or unmarked, with a maximum 80 cm size limit on unmarked Chinook. For clarity, there is no maximum size limit on hatchery marked Chinook. These measures apply in the following waters: That portion of 15-5 north of a line from Tibbs Point on Raza Island (50°18.731'N 124°57.980'W) to Connis Point on West Redonda Island (50°18.287'N 124°55.177'W); AND north of a line from Dean Point on West Redonda Island (50°17.147'N, 124°47.172'W) across to a point on East Redonda Island (50°17.145'N, 124°46.989'W); AND north of a line from Price Point (50°09.399'N, 124°39.165'W) to East Redonda Island (50°10.075'N,124°41.763'W); and That portion of Subarea 15-6 (in Toba Inlet) west of a line drawn from a boundary sign at Snout Point to a boundary sign on the opposite shore. Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Area 15. Area 16 (portions of Sechelt and Jervis Inlets): Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 14, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: Subareas 16-6, 16-9, 16-12; and That portion of Subarea 16-7 westerly of the Salmon Inlet RCA boundary following a meridian passing through at 123°43.00'W (near Black Bear Bluff); and That portion of Subarea 16-8 west of a line from a point on land at 49°41.5'N, 123°48.4'W, across to a point on the other shore at 49°41.1'N, 123°47.7'W; and That portion of Subarea 16-10 north of a line from a point on land at 49°40.0'N, 124°04.3'W, across to a point on the other shore at 49°40.0'N, 124°05.1'W; and That portion of Subarea 16-11 north of a line from a point on land at 49°44.99'N, 124°15.57'W, across to Ball Point (corner of the Hardy Island RCA) at 49°45.10'N, 124°13.75'W; and That portion of Subarea 16-13 south of a line from a point on land at 49°50.7'N, 123°55.2'W then across to a point on the opposite shore at 49°50.2'N, 123°52.9'W. Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Area 16. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Area 17 (portions of the Gulf Islands) Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 14, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: Subareas 17-6 and 17-9. Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Area 17. Area 18 (portions of the Gulf Islands) Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours May 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: Subareas 18-6, 18-7, and 18-10. Effective 00:01 hours June 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: That portion of Subarea 18-6 west of a line from Isabella Point on Saltspring Island (48°44.0239'N, 123°25.5622'W) to Harry Point on Piers Island (48°42.6137'N, 123° 25.1697'W) and west of a line from Indian Point on Piers Island (48°42.1410'N 123°25.4996'W), then through the red buoy U16, then through the green marker on the metal pilings, then due south to a point on Vancouver Island (48°41.6714'N 123°25.5501'W); and Subarea 18-7. Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Area 18. Area 19 (Victoria and Saanich Inlet) Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours May 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: Subareas 19-1, and 19-3 to 19-8. Effective 00:01 hours June 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: Subareas 19-7 and 19-8. Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 45 cm in Subarea 19-1, 19-3, and 19-4. The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Subareas 19-5 to 19-12. Subarea 20-5 (portion of Beecher Bay): Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours July 31, 2024, the daily limit of Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only. These measures apply in the following waters: That portion of Subarea 20-5 north of a line drawn from (48°19.554'N, 123°37.768'W) to (48°19.589'N, 123°36.533'W) then following the shoreline of Frazer Island easterly to the RCA boundary at (48°19.700'N, 123°36.267'W,) then to (48°19.633'N, 123°35.681'W). Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 45 cm in Area 20. Variation Order: 2024-RFQ-117 NOTES AND REMINDERS: Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia. The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. All anglers must have a licence to fish in tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC tidal waters recreational fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.html. Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures and other recreational fishing information. Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing. Descriptions of RCAs and other closures such as finfish closed areas, salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the internet at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide Salmon stock assessment programs. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information. The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. On April 26, 2023, the Government announced a suite of management measures to be implemented this summer that help address the key threats of reduced prey availability (primarily Chinook salmon), and acoustic and physical disturbance. These measures include salmon fishery closures, Interim Sanctuary Zones that restrict vessels from entering (including fishing), Speed Restricted Zones that restrict vessels to a maximum of 10 knots in designated areas (including fishing), minimum approach distances and a number of voluntary measures including to stop fishing (do not haul gear) and reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass. For more information about the 2023 management measures, please visit https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales or contact the Marine Mammal Team at DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. For more information on the best ways to help whales while on the water, please visit: bewhalewise.org. If a marine mammal becomes entangled in fishing gear, fishers should immediately call the Observe, Record, Report (ORR) line at 1-800-465-4336. Fishers are advised not to attempt to free the animal of the fishing gear as this can pose a serious threat to the safety of the fisher and the animal. If your vessel strikes a whale, or if you observe a sick, injured, distressed, or dead marine mammal in B.C. waters, please contact the hotline immediately: 1-800-465-4336 or VHF Channel 16. If you see a sea turtle, please call this toll-free phone number: 1-866-I SAW ONE (1-866-472-9663). Please include information such as the species of sea turtle seen (i.e. leatherback), the location and time of sighting. Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver. The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0291
Sent March 25, 2024 at 1031
Sooke
Halibut fishing was SLOWER with the big tides this past week, with the best fishing off Muir Creek, Jordan River, and points west. Crabbing has been FAIR in Sooke.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY with the big tides this past week. Within the open area, most of the winter springs were on the smaller side, but some larger clipped springs up to 20 lbs have been caught. 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 was SLOW this past week. Constance Bank, East Race, and Willliam Head have been some of the better spots. Octopus and Salmon bellies have been successful baits when used with a glow hootchy. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was FAIR as the strong currents mad fishing in deep water more difficult.
Salmon fishing has been FAIR out of Pedder Bay for those anglers heading into area 19. Fishing was best at Constance Bank. 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 SPOTTY inside the bay.
Victoria
Halibut fishing was SLOW at Constance Bank and in the Mud Hole. Lingcod and rockfish fishing was GOOD. Crabbing has been GOOD. Prawning has been POOR..
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Most of the springs were 5 to 8 lbs in size. 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 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.
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing has been SPOTTY in Oak Bay with these big tides. The Flats were better than the Gap, Most of the salmon were unclipped and there were unmarked springs in the mid-teens being released. Most anglers have been trolling but jigging can the effective too. The results have 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. Halibut fishing was SLOW.
Sidney
Prawning is a little slower and most boats were targeting spot prawns rather than salmon. Limit catches were made by anglers who left their traps out over night. Chinook fishing was SPOTTY this past week but some anglers were catching hatchery marked fish up to 12 lbs. Some of the better spots were Saanichton Spit, James Island, Sidney Channel and Hambley Point. Crabbing has been FAIR.
Halibut
Fishery Notice
For 2024, the recreational Halibut fishery total allowable catch is 805,679 pounds. The recreational Halibut fishery is actively managed to stay within the sector's allocation and fishers should watch for subsequent Fishery Notices to announce potential in-season changes. Limits and sizes: Effective at 00:01 hours February 03, 2024, fishing for Halibut was opened coast-wide until further notice (see 2024 Fishery Notice FN0084) Effective at 00:01 hours April 01, 2024 until December 31, 2024: The daily limit will remain at one (1) halibut per day. The possession limit for halibut is EITHER of: ---- one (1) halibut measuring 85 cm to 126 cm in length (65 cm to 97 cm head-off), OR ---- two (2) halibut, each measuring under 85 cm in length (65 cm head-off). No person shall retain a Halibut greater than 126 cm head-on length (97 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. Annual Limit: No person shall catch and retain more than ten (10) halibut in the aggregate from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. All halibut retained by the licence holder between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 shall be immediately recorded on the 2024/2025 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence, or, if mobile access is immediately available, the licence holder may record catch in the National Recreational Licensing System or on an approved third-party app. The area from which each halibut is caught and its head-on length shall immediately be recorded.
Saltwater Notable Catches
NOTABLE CATCHES: 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 EXCELLENT.
Notices
Cowichan River
Trout fishing above Skutz Falls are having mixed results. Those anglers drifting the river are having GOOD fishing while than those anglers wading the river aren’t having as much success. Insect activity is increasing with this warmer weather.
Trout
Trout fishing has been EXCELLENT at most local lakes. 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 Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started the spring stocking of catchable triploid rainbow trout into Vancouver Island lakes. On May, 5th, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 239.792 g in size. On April 12th, Elk and Langford Lakes each received 1,500 trout. On April 11th, Elk and Prospect Lake each received 1,500 trout averaging 241.77 g in size. On March 20th, Shawnigan Lake received 500 trout averaging 219.387 g in size. On March 19th, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout and Glen Lake 500 trout averaging 250.697 g in size. On March 15th, Shawnigan Lake received 750 trout, Dougan Lake received 1,00 trout and Colwood Lake received 250 trout averaging 213.428 g in size. On March 11th, Kemp Lake received 750 trout and Matheson Lake 500 trout averaging 222.892 g in size. On March 8h, Shawnigan Lake received 1,000 trout and Ida Anne Lake 250 trout averaging 216.907 in size. Further stockings occurring on March 20th were Prospect Lake and Langford lakes each receiving 1,000 yearling coastal cutthroat trout averaging 74.833g in size.
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 EXCELLENT. Most lakes have been producing good catches and some lunker bass are being caught.
The fish are in spawning now and are in the shallows. Some have already finished spawning and started feeding. Fishing around weeds and Lil pads is good right now.
The Western Fishin League held their second event of the Small Craft Series Saturday on Elk/Beaver Lake.
The weather was great with very little wind, fish were hungry, and the anglers stoked to hit the water
After launching from the Victoria Rowing Centre by Eagle Beach, some anglers decided to go straight into Beaver Lake while others started fishing Elk Lake right off the launch.
Landing in first place was Aaron Broadbent with a 3 fish limit of 58.75" Aaron was one of the anglers that dropped a line right off the launch and his first cast landed a 19" from the rowing docks, later replacing it with a 19.25.Aaron also takes home a $100 gift card to Harbour Chandler. Congratulations, Aaron.
There was a tie for 2nd place between Dean Rudolph and Freddy Landman. Both anglers caught a 3 fish limit of 58.25"
Dean found success flipping weeds and pads, finding his limit of fish in Elk while Freddy, fishing from his kick boat, also started fishing from the launch, eventually making his way down to Beaver picking up a healthy limit pitching and flipping
The Big fish pot went to Jake Watson with a 20.5 slab.
Great weather, great fishing and great people, made this day on the water most enjoyable
The Western Fishing League’s next SSC stop is June 9th on Langford Lake
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
Vary your depth when trolling for trout. Trout are often found at different depths throughout the day, as insect and bait fish activity and water temperatures change. If they stop biting at one level, go up or down in depth until you find them again.
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