May Fishing Update For Vancouver and Sidney

It has been a very good start to the spring charter fishing season in Sidney and Vancouver.   Warm temperatures and consistent fishing has made for some solid days on the water.    We have also been enjoying good catches of spot prawns and dungeness crabs.

 In Vancouver, we have been fishing for chinook on a catch and release basis while scientific sampling in Howe Sound, English Bay and in the deeper waters off the South End of Bowen Island.   We have also been encountering some hatchery coho.  This is good news as the retention of hatchery coho begins on June 1st!   In Vancouver, we should have some chinook salmon aretention opportunities that begin in mid July over on the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.    As we get into June, we will see increasing numbers of coho and the first pink salmon of the year showing toward the end of the month.   The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is forecasting big returns of coho and pink salmon in 2025!   

 In Sidney, we have been fortunate to have access to a consistent fishery for hatchery chinook salmon.   Our Sidney location has chinook retention opportunities 365 days of the year.    We have had some very nice fish back to the dock with some pushing 20 pounds!   Great eating fish as well!  The fish have been gorging on sandlance and the fish have been hitting wee gees and coho killers... HARD!   We have been doing some prawning and crabbing as well in Sidney with decent results!  If you are looking at doing a spring fishing trip and keep chinook, check out our Sidney location, it is one of the few places on the coast that is open for chinook salmon retention in April, May and June.  Details here!  www.bonchovy.com/fishing-packages/vancouver-island-spring-salmon-package.html


  Ling Cod opened in Sidney and the Gulf Islands on May 1st, results have been good as usual when the season just opens up!   We have been trolling Power Paddles on pinnacles with success.

Give us a call if you want to get out this spring or plan a summer fishing trip!   Looks like it is going to be a good season with MILLIONS of salmon forecasted to return to local rivers.