LOCAL FISHING REPORTS

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK – Now is the time to use to heavier leaders (40 to 50 lb Test) as the mature chinook salmon migrate through local waters. With a lighter leader, your chance of losing a big spring to a weak spot or a nick in the leader is greatly increased. Be sure to check your leader after catching each fish to make sure that it is still in good shape.

SALTWATER OVERVIEW - Windy weather put a damper on fishing for much of this past week but the maximum size restriction ended on VERY Saturday and that cheered up the local anglers. Salmon catching was GOOD SPOTTY “THE BEST IN in area 20, in Victoria and Oak Bay and 30 YEARS” in the Sidney area. The Pink salmon run has started in the Sooke area and more are being caught than in previous weeks. Halibut fishing SLOW was this past week.

SOOKE – The salmon fishing has been VERY GOOD over the last week when it wasn’t blowing too hard. Secretary Island to Otter Point has been good for to springs ranging from 8 – 34 lbs. The ending of the maximum size restriction has pleased all anglers and several fish in the 30’s were reported.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week when it wasn’t blowing too hard. There have been lots of salmon coming in from Aldridge Point to the Trap Shack. Besides springs into the teens, more pinks have also been showing up. The best depths to fish have been from 40 to 70 feet.

PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports PRETTY GOOD salmon fishing. The bay was fishing well again this week, and it was out of the wind as well. Trollers are doing best trolling from 45 – 70 feet on the downrigger and/or just off the bottom. The area from Church Rock to the Bedfords has started to pick up as well. Jiggers were doing better than the trollers and have been fishing near the Race.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY off Victoria this past week when the wind didn’t keep you off the water. The most productive area has been Constance Bank and further out. The area from Albert Head to Trial Island has been slow.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay this past week. There has been some good-sized fish pushing 20 lbs coming in from the flats and the Gap.

SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was “THE BEST IN 30 YEARS” in the Sidney area. There have been fish coming from all areas and anglers both jigging and trolling have been getting limits of springs into the 20’s. Most anglers are releasing lots of 8 to 12 lb fish while waiting to hook the bigger ones.

FRESHWATER OVERVIEW GOOD - Fishing was in most lakes for trout and bass.

TROUT - Trout fishing is FAIR TO GOOD on most lakes in the South Island with Langford Lake giving up the biggest rainbow trout.

BASS - Bass fishing is GOOD as we enter the summer months. There have been many reports of good catches of fish as large as 6 lbs.