Recent fishing reports for Canada

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These reports are for specific areas of Canada. Please scroll down to the area that interests you and find your report for that section. There is some flyfishing information included for most of the areas as well some saltwater reports.[size 1] The reports are listed from older to newer. Check the bottom for the latest information.[/size]

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Chilliwack Lake -
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/url]
FISHING: Good
The Skagit and Ross Lake have been doing well. Get the fly rod out and spend some time on this great fishery, its tough to beat. Most of the Fraser Valley Lakes continue to fish well, the weather has been great and this certainly makes for some great opportunity in the valley.

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Miramichi River -
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=71,re"]Fishing New Brunswick[/url]
FISHING: Good
Another week of fish being landed almost daily, but not in great numbers. The cooler nights are keeping water temperatures better for fishing than it has been for most of the summer. Our best luck over the past couple of weeks has been in the pools between Quarryville and the mouth of the Cains River as most of the fish seem to be holding up in this lower stretch of river. But each time we receive rain and the water rises by 6 inches or more, the fish start moving and we are sure to get a couple of good days of fishing in our pools above the mouth of Cains as well. The best flies this week were Bombers and Bear Hairs. The # 8 Almost, has also been working well in the evening. We are starting to have some luck on the great fall fly, the Ally's Shrimp as Lowell Selvin from California used it to land one on Wednesday and Peter Chirila from Pittsburgh, PA landed two on it Friday. With the cooler nights we are having, fishermen are starting to try some fall patterns while fishing some of the fall pools. We are not wishing summer away but it does remind us of how much fun fall fishing can be here on the Miramichi.

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Sidney - Vancouver Island - September 11th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"]Quigley Sport Fishing[/url]
FISHING: Fair
No changes to report, as salmon fishing was QUIET this past week. Sidney Spit, Fairfax Point, Hambley Point and Coal Island would be the best spots to try in the coming week. The most productive bait has been anchovy fished in a Green Rhys Davis teaser head. Other favorite lures have been Tiny Strip, or spoons. Use a glow in the dark teaser head with bait and fish close to bottom. The most popular spoons have been the #4 Coyotes, #4 Titans or the Gibbs Gypsy in Glow White/Green or Silver/Green.

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Local Lake - South Vancouver Island - September 12th, 2004
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FISHING: Fair
Local Lakes

Trout fishing continues FAIR, as in previous weeks. Most of the activity is now coming in the early mornings and evenings, with the trout being deeper in the day. However, if you fish the thermocline, you can get some action all during the day. Anglers fishing Powerbait off of the fishing wharf are still getting trout too. Elk Lake continues to produce the most and largest trout on average (14-18 inches). The highway side has been good. Langford Lake has produced better than Prospect Lake. Fly anglers can stay with the old reliables (Black Leeches, Green Wooly Buggers) and expect good action. Chironomids have been good and Pheasant Tail, Halfback and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymphs also work well. For trolling try #6 Len Thompson spoons, Flatfish or Wee Tads in frog patterns, red & white, or yellow with red spots. Willow Leaf Lake trolls and worms will almost always work if fished at the thermocline too. Future stocking times for catchable rainbows are September 15-25 and October 20-30.

Bass Fishing

Bass Fishing has been EXCELLENT for smallmouths. The bass are moving into deeper water during the day, venturing into the shallows from the evenings, through the night and into the mornings. Surface lures have been getting lots of action when the bass are shallow and hiding in lily pads or close to structure. During the day, tube jigs have been good when fished in 15 to 20 feet of water water. Elk Lake has been the best lake for bass. Anglers have also reported good smallmouth action in Beaver, Langford and Prospect lakes too. Shawnigan Lake has been very good.

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Cowichan River - September 12th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"]Quigley Sport Fishing[/url]
FISHING: Fair
Fishing was SLOW most of this past week. The water level is now just around 0.175 meters. Water clarity is good. However, the water temperature is still warm and float tubing on the river is still more popular than fishing. Best success now is coming in the late evening and just after sunrise. For anglers who enjoy fishing at night, now is a good time to hit the river. Fly anglers have been reporting good success with March Brown, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear and Prince nymphs without bead heads. Black Wooly Buggers and Muddler Minnows have also been good for the larger Brown trout. Some nice trout have been taken on dry lies as well. Start looking for the trout where springs feed the river, in the deep holes, and in the riffles. Spin fishermen can get some trout action on Len Thompson spoons, Roostertails, Blue Fox and Mepps spinners upstream of Skutz Falls and below the 70.2 CNR Bridge.

Local Lakes

Trout fishing continues FAIR, as in previous weeks. Most of the activity is now coming in the early mornings and evenings, with the trout being deeper in the day. However, if you fish the thermocline, you can get some action all during the day. Anglers fishing Powerbait off of the fishing wharf are still getting trout too. Elk Lake continues to produce the most and largest trout on average (14-18 inches). The highway side has been good. Langford Lake has produced better than Prospect Lake. Fly anglers can stay with the old reliables (Black Leeches, Green Wooly Buggers) and expect good action. Chironomids have been good and Pheasant Tail, Halfback and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymphs also work well. For trolling try #6 Len Thompson spoons, Flatfish or Wee Tads in frog patterns, red & white, or yellow with red spots. Willow Leaf Lake trolls and worms will almost always work if fished at the thermocline too. Future stocking times for catchable rainbows are September 15-25 and October 20-30.

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Oak Bay - Vancouver Island - September 12th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"]Quigley Sport Fishing[/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon fishing has IMPROVED in Oak Bay. We’ve heard reports of some very big springs being caught on the Flats between Discovery Island and Brodie Rock. Anchovy has been the most productive bait for trolling. The best patterns for hootchies and squirts have been Green & White, the Jellyfish and the J79. If you want to troll spoons, use Coyotes, Titans, Devil Tails or Gibbs Gators in Green/Silver or Blue/Silver. Troll about 10-20 feet off of the bottom for best results. The 40 and 60 gram Gibbs Minnows or Stingers have been the best jigging lures. HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW off Oak Bay last week. Extra Large Herring combined with Octopus and fished off of a spreader bar with a 2 lb weight was the best set up for the big flatfish.

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Victoria Waterfront - Vancouver Island - September 12th, 2004
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FISHING: Good
Salmon fishing was GOOD most of last week along the waterfront. However, it did slow down on the weekend. The majority of the boats were getting springs, mostly fish in the teens and low twenties. The largest salmon caught this past week was a 38 lb 3 oz spring taken near the breakwater on an anchovy in a CHRM/GRN/CHRT Scale Anchovy Special. It was caught at 40 feet on the downrigger with a Gold Metallic Betsey Flasher. The most productive spots have been the Breakwater, Macaulay Point, Finlayson Point and Clover Point. Anchovies or minnows in Glo Green/Chartreuse, Blue Scale or Purple Haze teaser heads were the best baits to hook up. Red and Gold Hot spot flashers have been working really well too. If you want to troll artificial baits, use Green/White or Green/Glow hootchies or spoons in Green/Silver or Blue/Silver. HALIBUT – Halibut fishing at Constance Bank and Border Bank was SLOW when the dogfish weren’t stealing the baits. Extra Large Herring or Octopus fished off of a spreader bar with a 2 lb weight is the best bet to catch the big flatfish. However, when the dogfish are bad, use Mudrakers or Lucky Jigs.

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Pedder Bay - Vancouver Island - September 12th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"]Quigley Sport Fishing[/url]
FISHING: Good
The salmon fishing SLOWED DOWN this past week. Anglers were still catching springs, but not nearly as many, from the high teens up to the high thirties scattered from Pedder Bay to the Bedford Islands. The biggest spring caught this past week came from Church Rock and weighed 36 lbs. In the evenings, near the top of the flood tide, the bay itself has been really hot, full of bait and salmon. Trolling anchovy or herring at 45 or 50 feet has been catching most of bigger fish. For trolling, the Purple Haze, Glow Green and Green Scale were the most popular teaser heads and the O’ki Betsy is the most commonly used flasher. If you want to troll spoons, use Coyotes, Titans, Devil Tails or Gibbs Gators in Green/Silver or Blue/Silver. Hootchies have been really good too and the Irish Mist, Green Galaxy and Green Ghost were the “hot” ones. Jigging has been good from the Deep Hole to the Christopher Point. The needlefish Lucky Jigs or Gibbs Minnows have been good lures to jig. Fin clipped Coho salmon are being caught by anglers fishing the tide lines about 2½ to 3½ miles out in the strait. We’ve been told that boats can get limits of coho up to 9 lbs out there. HALIBUT – This past weekend was SLOW. The 11 Fathom Reef, 27-Fathom Reef and the West Race are all good spots to try. Extra Large Herring and Octopus fished off of a spreader bar with a 2 lb weight is the most successful combination to catch the big flatfish. However, when the dogfish are bad, use Mudrakers or Lucky Jigs.

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Becher Bay - Vancouver Island - September 12th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"]Quigley Sport Fishing[/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD all week. Lots of springs ranging from the high teens up to 50+ lbs were weighed at the marinas. The biggest spring caught came from the Trap Shack on Saturday and weighed 53.2 lbs. Nice fish! Several others over 40 lbs were caught as well. Most of the action came from Beechey Head to Trap Shack. The Bedfords produced a 44 as well. The majority of the springs were caught trolling at 40 to 85 feet. Anglers trolling anchovies or 5½” to 6” herring in Glo Green/Chartreuse or Purple Haze teaser heads behind Green/Gold or O’ki Betsy flashers were catching the most fish. Other productive lures for springs this past week were Green/Glo and Blue/Silver spoons, white hootchies, and 5” Apexes. If you want to troll artificial baits, take your pick of Coyotes, Titans, Devil Tails or Gibbs Gators spoons in Glo/Green, Silver/Green or Silver/Blue and for plastics use the Moby Dick and the Purple Haze. Fin clipped Cohoes are being caught by anglers fishing the tide lines about 2½ to 3 miles out in the strait with many boats getting limits. Small anchovy, pink squirts and spoons have worked well on the coho.

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Sooke - Vancouver Island - September 12th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"]Quigley Sport Fishing[/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon fishing remained PRETTY GOOD this past week. Lots of spring salmon were caught and some boats had limits. The springs were mostly in the high teens and twenties but quite a few were much larger. Biggest fish of the weekend was a 43.5 lb spring from Secretary Island. Secretary (Donaldson) Island and Possession Point were again the best spots to catch salmon. It was also good at Otter Point were several springs in the low 40’s were caught. The best depths for springs were from 40 to 85 feet on the downrigger. Anchovy or herring was the most common bait. The most successful teaser heads remain the Glow Green, Chartreuse and Purple Haze. Green/Gold or O’ki Betsy flashers were attracting most of the springs. Spoons are still catching salmon and the best ones are the Coyotes, Titans, Devil Tail or Gibbs Gators in Glow /Green, Silver/Green or Silver/Blue. Anglers not targeting springs have been catching a few fin clipped Coho and lots of wild coho out at the off shore tide lines several miles out into the strait. Small anchovy, pink squirts and spoons have worked well on the coho.

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Harrison River - September 13th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/url]
FISHING: Poor
Chinook fishing is open up to the Highway #7 bridge. Reports are that the fishing is slow. You may want to try casting Crocs, Koho's or Kitimat Spoons for the Coho and Chinook. Spinners in size 2-4 in brass and silver are good options for you as well. There is no retention of Sockeye. The river has dropped and cleared this past few days.

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Chehalis River - September 13th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/url]
FISHING: Poor
Levels are up, not much happening.

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Fraser River - September 13th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/url]
FISHING: Good
Water levels are up due to heavy rains in the north where some major slides have created problems with heavy siltation. It is not known how long the Fraser will stay dirty with the unstable conditions along the Chilko River system but it is most likely going to take some time before the water cleanes up. The test fishery is showing good numbers of Chinook ranging well into the high 30-40 pound class. Bar fishing will be challenging due to the river conditions if you are wanting to fish for Steelhead. The Fraser will be closed to all Salmon fishing on Sept 9th untill Oct 11th to protect Upper River and Thompson Coho. The amount of gill netting this year has to be a great concern with a big question on how many fish really did in fact make it past the gauntlet of nets that were hanging and drifting everywhere. It will be interesting to see if there will be a continuation of netting during this Coho concern. It was a big disappointment to the angling community to see the recreational sector taken out early for conservation reasons and yet we know that the continued netting will have a huge impact on these same stocks, so our efforts are meaningless. It does not make sense especially when you consider the non-compliance issue that continues due to the lack of enforcement and the non-confrontation policy of the Department of Fisheries. The sport anglers are getting little consideration in this process that is completely flawed and unfair. The Sportfishing Defence Alliance held a protest in Kelowna on Sept 7th to get a meeting with the Minister which has been confirmed. Thanks to everyone that made this happen. You may want to get involved by educating yourself on what is going on here and let your views be known. All of the sports fishing reps are trying desperately to change the direction that fisheries is headed by truly putting conservation as a first priority while giving the anglers some consideration. We all know what the impact from sport fishing is. It has been monitored, surveyed, documented in every way imagingable on its has to be crystal clear that our legal catch is so insignificant when we consider the numbers that are caught by all users, we are not being treated fairly. No one should be able to abuse the resource without some accountability. Use the observe, report books or report line, 1-800-465-4336 to report any violations on sport or native fishers. Sturgeon fishing is good through out the entire river, however some days are challenging.

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Vedder River - September 13th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/url]
FISHING: Great
For the first 9 days of September we had ideal water conditions that brought some nice Coho into the Chilliwack/Vedder. On Friday the heavy rains jumped levels up approx 3-4 feet and the river blew out. The river has approx 3 feet of visiblity as of late Sunday with some very good reports coming from the entire river. There are good numbers of fish showing at the hatchery with some impressive size. There are reports of a few early Chinook as well. We are expecting to see great water conditions after the wet weather with water levels nearly perfect. These conditions should provide some of the best Coho fishing in the next two weeks. Angling pressure is still on light side but the good word will spread fast. Some of the guys are trying their luck in the Vedder Canal, trolling or casting spinners can be productive as these fish move past. You are allowed hatchery Coho only that have a clipped adipose fin. Chinook numbers will increase as we approach the last week of September. It is very important that anglers seeking Coho understand that there is a huge conservation concern for Sockeye that are entering the Vedder river headed to Cultus Lake. Predictions of less than 500 will require absolute compliance by anglers intercepting these fish. Sockeye must be released unharmed; there is no retention fishery for Sockeye in the Chilliwack/Vedder system. Anglers are should be aware that these fish might be adipose clipped. Please make sure you identify your fish properly and do not confuse them with the clipped Coho. Encourage others to be aware of the clipped Sockeye program that may confuse anglers that are used to keeping clipped adipose salmon. There will be strict observation around the Vedder bridge for anglers catching potential Cultus Sockeye. Fishing long leaders is considered by Fisheries as a threat to these fish. If angling is deemed to be a problem then we could face spot closures for approx 1/4 mile below Sweltzer Creek. Please note that sockeye are not open to retention on the Chilliwack/Vedder. There are no plans to change this.

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Campbell River - September 13th, 2004
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FISHING: Good
Campbell / Quinsam Rivers: Chinook have begun to migrate into the Campbell in earnest this week with the rainfall induced higher flows now occurring in the Quinsam and Campbell. Coho have arrived in the Campbell as well with reports of fly anglers hooking them in the lower stretches of the river.

Gold River: The Gold came into winter fishing form this week with flows approaching 300 cms. This has pulled in a lot of Chinook that were waiting at the mouth of the river. Coho have also begun to enter the Gold. Summer Steelhead have become a little more aggressive with higher water and have been caught in the Gold and tributaries.

Salmon River: Rainfall has stimulated the migration of Chinook into the Salmon. Coho have also begun to arrive. Both Chinook and Coho can be caught with most types of tackle including flies.

Oyster River: Higher flows have allowed a lot of the pinks holding off-shore to head up-river. Coho have started to show up along the approaches to the Oyster and beach anglers will not be far behind them. Most beach fishing locally is done by fly anglers using small streamers like clousers and Morgan’s mashers.

Lake Scene: With increased inflows and cooler water temperatures, lake fishing is on the upswing. Trout feed aggressively at this time of year in preparation for winter. All sorts of tackle can be used from flies to worms and roe.

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Oyster River - September 13th, 2004
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FISHING: Good
Oyster River: Higher flows have allowed a lot of the pinks holding off-shore to head up-river. Coho have started to show up along the approaches to the Oyster and beach anglers will not be far behind them. Most beach fishing locally is done by fly anglers using small streamers like clousers and Morgan’s mashers.

Lake Scene: With increased inflows and cooler water temperatures, lake fishing is on the upswing. Trout feed aggressively at this time of year in preparation for winter. All sorts of tackle can be used from flies to worms and roe.

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Gold River - September 13th, 2004
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FISHING: Great
Gold River: The Gold came into winter fishing form this week with flows approaching 300 cms. This has pulled in a lot of Chinook that were waiting at the mouth of the river. Coho have also begun to enter the Gold. Summer Steelhead have become a little more aggressive with higher water and have been caught in the Gold and tributaries.

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Courtenay - saltwater - September 13th, 2004
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FISHING: Good
Tides [[url "http://www.lau.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showZone&language=english&region=1&zone=14"]click here[/url]]

Courtenay report: A good portion of the Puntledge River Chinook are now in the river preparing to spawn. There have been reports of fish being caught at Sentry Shoals and Grants Reefs as well as Lambert channel between Hornby and Denman.
The freshwater fishing has begun to improve again with the drop in temperatures and the infusion of fresh water into most lakes and rivers.

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Campbell River - saltwater - September 13th, 2004
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FISHING: Good
Weather [[url "http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/forecast/city_e.html?ybl"]click here[/url]]
Tides [[url "http://www.lau.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showZone&language=english&region=1&zone=14"]click here[/url]]

Cape Mudge: There have been modest numbers of boats in the vicinity of the lighthouse on ebb tides this past week. David Chard, of Profish Charters reports that feeder Chinook have returned to the lighthouse and there have been some tides where fishing has been quite good. The fish are not large, ranging up to 17 lbs. but the important thing is that they are there.

The Hump: No reports from the Hump although when fish show at the light, they are usually at the Hump as well.

Willow / Shelter Points: A few Coho starting to arrive along the beaches. The stretch from Hidden Harbour south to the Big Rock has continued to produce quite a few large Chinook.

Forestry Pool – Duncan Bay: The action has heated up in the Flats area with fish being taken in front of the Ramada Inn, at the Pier, in front of the Foreshore Park and in front of the Argonaut Wharf. The official Tyee season is drawing to a close with much better numbers than last year. The count of registered Tyees should wind up at somewhere around fifty with September 15th being the last day of fishing.

Seymour Narrows – North: Quite a bit of fishing still going on north of the narrows as the focus shifts gradually from Chinook to Coho. Chum are beginning to arrive and are being caught sporadically everywhere from Chatham Point to Deepwater Bay.