May 2025

Freshwater fishing has been hot and getting hotter over the past couple weeks! 

Lakes and streams across Vancouver Island have been producing cutthroat and rainbow trout in consistent numbers along shorelines, points, drop offs, and creek mouths. Twitching jigs and casting spoons from shore can be very effective at dawn and dusk in various colours notably bronze, orange, green, and silver. Plugs on the surface is a good bet in the same areas during similar times, with downriggers being a good idea when it gets bright mid-day. Go Fish BC has recent stocking reports of catchable size rainbow trout here, which is a great place to start for beginner anglers looking for consistent and accessible action. For the more experienced anglers, larger lakes generally mean larger fish and hard work to find the hot spots can be rewarded with trophy sized fish. Large crayfish imitations designed for bass can be very effective for these larger trout when worked in rocky areas erratically along the bottom. 

Saltwater salmon fishing remains closed for most areas although there are openings at the mouths of Bute and Toba Inlets which can be some of the best fishing of the year when timed correctly. Chinook will generally feed two hours before and after slack tide with the incoming tide being the best producer for me personally. Trolling at depths of 200 feet is where most anglers start, although my best days in these areas have been with plugs trolled fast in less than 100 feet of water. Dropping prawn traps in these areas will produce good results before the commercial fishery opens mid month, be aware of the strong currents and make sure your traps are adequately weighted and equipped with the legally required rot cord. 

Tight lines!