Ucluelet, Bamfield, Barkley Sound, Port Alberni and Alberni Inlet - DFO Areas 23 and 123.
Other west coast waters: Clayoquot Sound & Tofino · Nootka Sound & Esperanza Inlet. Port Renfrew is in South Vancouver Island.
The linked September Ucluelet report favours trolled anchovies or larger spoons for late mature chinook, with coho moving inshore around harbour kelp beds. Bucktail flies and cast jigs worked for those feeding coho; larger, faster presentations are the named approach. These are September observations, not confirmed October catches.
Sources: Island Fisherman magazine report, Salmon Eye fishing report - thank you to these sources for their updates. Further details in the linked reports.
Ucluelet: mature chinook darkening and striking out of aggression - trolled anchovy or larger spoon for big resident spawners; coho moving inshore with kelp beds hot for buck-tail flies and cast jigs; calm seas opening halibut, black cod and albacore offshore.
Source: Island Fisherman magazine report, Sep 1 2026.
Ucluelet: fishing good but challenging some days, with a larger average salmon size than most years - good days both offshore and in close to shore.
Source: Salmon Eye fishing report, Jul 26 2026.
Current forecast and warning status not yet verified. Checking Environment Canada...
Check the official forecast and warningsPort Alberni tide predictions - use the station nearest your fishing location.
Latest DFO fishery notices touching this region, refreshed each morning - full details and regulations on DFO's page
Click here for DFO area map tailored to each area
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 23,123 | 45cm | barbless hook and line | 2 | Open |
| Chum salmon | 23 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| 123 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open | |
| Coho salmon (hatchery and wild combined) | 23-1 to 23-3 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
Open |
| 23-4 to 23-11 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 2 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
Open | |
| 123 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 2 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
Open | |
| Pink salmon | 23 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| 123 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open | |
| Sockeye salmon | 23 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 4 | Open |
| 123 | 30cm | barbless hook and line | 0 | Non Retention |
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codfish | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Eulachon | 23,123 | 0kg | Closed | ||
| Finfish - all other species | 23,123 | angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Greenling | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Halibut | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 2 | Open | |
| Herring | 23,123 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Lingcod | 23,123 | 65cm | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open |
| Mackerel | 23,123 | angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Northern Anchovy | 23,123 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 20kg | Open | |
| Pacific sand lance | 23,123 | cast net, dip net, herring jig, herring rake | 5kg | Open | |
| Pacific sardine | 23,123 | angling, dip net, herring jig, herring rake, spear fishing while diving | 100 | Open | |
| Rockfish - Yelloweye | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 3 | Open | |
| Sablefish | 23,123 | angling | 4 | Open | |
| Sculpin | 23,123 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Shark - Basking | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Blue | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Brown Cat | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Great White | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Salmon | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 1 | Open | |
| Shark - Sixgill | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - Tope | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Shark - all other species | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | ||
| Skate | 23,123 | angling | 1 | Open | |
| Smelt | 23,123 | dip net, gill net | 20kg | Open | |
| Sole or Flounder | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 8 | Open | |
| Spiny Dogfish | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Surfperch | 23,123 | angling | 8 | Open | |
| Tuna - Albacore | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - Pacific bluefin | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| Tuna - all other species | 23,123 | angling, spear fishing while diving | 20 | Open | |
| White Sturgeon | 23,123 | angling | 0 | Non Retention | |
| Wolf Eel | 23,123 | angling | 0 | Non Retention |
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (hatchery and wild combined) | 23,123 | 30cm | angling | 2 Combined Total * Consisting of no more than:
|
Open |
| Species | Areas | Gear | Daily Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clam - Butter | 23,123 | hand digging, hand picking | 20 |
| Clam - Horse | 23,123 | hand digging, hand picking | 6 |
| Clam - Littleneck | 23,123 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - Manila | 23,123 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - Razor | 23,123 | hand digging | 12 |
| Clam - Softshell | 23,123 | hand digging | 25 |
| Clam - Varnish | 23,123 | hand digging | 60 |
| Clam - all species combined | 23,123 | hand digging, hand picking | 60 |
| Cockles | 23,123 | hand digging, hand picking | 25 |
| Geoduck | 23,123 | hand digging, hand picking | 3 |
| Mussel - Blue | 23,123 | hand picking | 75 |
| Mussel - California | 23,123 | hand picking | 25 |
| Mussels - all species combined | 23,123 | hand picking | 75 |
| Oyster - Olympia | 23,123 | 0 | |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 23,123 | hand picking | 12 |
| Scallop - Pink and Spiny | 23,123 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 75 |
| Scallop - Purple-hinged rock | 23,123 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Scallop - Weathervane | 23,123 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined | 23,123 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 6 |
| Snail - Moon | 23,123 | hand picking | 2 |
| Snail - other | 23,123 | hand picking | 75 |
| Whelks | 23,123 | hand picking | 75 |
| Species | Areas | Min size | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab - Box | 23,123 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Dungeness | 23,123 | 165mm | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 6 | Open |
| Crab - Dungeness, Red Rock and King combined | 23,123 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 6 | Open | |
| Crab - King | 23,123 | dip net, diving, ring net, trap | 2 | Open | |
| Crab - Puget Sound King | 23,123 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 1 | Open | |
| Crab - Red Rock | 23,123 | 115mm | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 6 | Open |
| Crab - Shore | 23,123 | hand picking | 25 | Open | |
| Crab - other | 23,123 | dip net, hand picking, hand picking while diving, ring net, trap | 4 | Open |
| Species | Areas | Gear | Daily Limits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone | 23,123 | 0 | Closed | |
| Barnacles - Giant | 23,123 | diving | 6 | Open |
| Barnacles - Goose | 23,123 | hand picking | 2kg | Open |
| Invertebrates - all other species | 23,123 | angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand picking while snorkeling, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 20 | Open |
| Limpet | 23,123 | hand picking | 75 | Open |
| Octopus | 23,123 | angling, hand picking, hand picking while diving, trap | 1 | Open |
| Sand Dollar | 23,123 | hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Cucumber | 23,123 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Sea Star or Starfish | 23,123 | diving, hand picking | 6 | Open |
| Sea Urchin | 23,123 | hand picking, hand picking while diving | 12 | Open |
| Shellfish - all other species | 23,123 | angling, dip net, hand digging, hand picking, hand picking while diving, hand pump, ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 20 | Open |
| Shrimp - Ghost | 23,123 | hand digging, hand pump | 50 | Open |
| Shrimp including prawn | 23-1 to 23-3 | 0 | Closed | |
| 23-4 to 23-11 and 123 | ring net, spear fishing while diving, trap | 125 | Open | |
| Squid - Opal | 23,123 | cast net, jigging | 200 | Open |
| Squid - all other species | 23,123 | cast net, jigging | 20 | Open |
DFO tables checked October 14, 2026. Subarea exceptions and closures on the official DFO page override these tables. Check the latest before keeping fish.
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Earthquakes (last 7 days, M2.5+), tsunami advisories and weather alerts affecting this region - straight from Earthquakes Canada and Environment Canada, refreshed each morning. Nothing listed? Nothing unusual is on the books.
Chinook salmon
Coho salmon
Halibut
Prawns
Bottomfish
AI-generated summaries · checked October 14, 2026. Dated evidence, not live counts or fishing advice.
NOAA reported the most juvenile coho and chum on record in its 2025 coastal surveys. Its ecosystem review describes productive conditions off Oregon and Washington, but mixed signals for adult Columbia River returns. This is neighbouring California Current ocean context, not a count of salmon returning to Vancouver Island or a forecast for BC rivers.
NOAA ocean ecosystem reviewAI-generated summaries · checked October 14, 2026. Historical records and scientific findings are dated below. No live animal tracking or unverified social-media sightings.
The 2006 COSEWIC assessment lists Pacific white-shark records from 1961 to 2004, including Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island. Most were stranded animals. These are historical occurrence records, not current beach alerts or evidence of rising local numbers.
COSEWIC historical records and datesA peer-reviewed study used images of 1,213 sunfish to examine identification, then analysed 1,178 observations from California to Alaska. Researchers found repeated hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta) records in both current systems. Six specimens from California and Alaska were confirmed genetically. The study supports a wider known range, not a count of sunfish near this region today.
Read the sunfish study and authorsDFO: report a shark encounter in BC. Observe without approaching or disturbing wildlife.
Choose a salmon species and river. Each bar shows one year: taller means more fish. The latest reported year is orange. These are selected monitored populations, not a complete regional census.
Checked October 14, 2026. Annual history: NuSEDS June 1, 2026 snapshot, with population-specific latest years up to 2025. This is not a live 2026 return estimate. Gaps are not zero; reported DFO estimates are not invented counts.
AI-generated summary: DFO’s preliminary 2026 outlook keeps wild WCVI Chinook at a poor outlook (category 1), while hatchery indicators are average to above average (3–4). It reports above-average 2025 Conuma returns and a preliminary Robertson Creek return of 125,000. Hatchery strength does not establish recovery of wild river populations. This is an early planning outlook, not an October in-season result or a firm future return forecast.
DFO 2026 preliminary outlook, pages 27–28. No multi-year population forecast is generated.
Loading species charts...
2026 brood plan dated August 18, 2026. Many plan rows are Preliminary. Release timing depends on species and stage; a brood year is not a return year. Post-season reports dated February 19, 2026 cover 2023 and 2024 broods. The 2024 cohort has incomplete smolt releases. Juvenile output is not adult return, marine survival or proof of recovery.
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
2026 brood primary release target: 6,475,000 juveniles. Stages: Seapen 0+, Smolt 0+. Objectives: Assessment/Harvest, Harvest, Rebuilding. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 5,972,788. On rows with both numbers, 5,956,153 released against 6,475,000 targeted (92%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 6,488,855. On rows with both numbers, 6,377,975 released against 6,475,000 targeted (99%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 200,000 juveniles. Stages: Smolt 1+. Objectives: Assessment/Harvest. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 267,237. 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Not released at this site this year
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chinook, Coho production, with assessment/harvest, harvest, rebuilding objectives. Targets are planned juvenile releases, not adult returns. Compare the post-season rows below for reported production; blanks and incomplete cohorts are not failures.
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 310,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry. Objectives: Rebuilding, Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 127,442. On rows with both numbers, 14,701 released against 210,000 targeted (7%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Released as fed fry
2024 brood: reported actual releases 141,447. On rows with both numbers, 36,447 released against 210,000 targeted (17%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Released as Smolt 0+
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 1,150,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry. Objectives: Rebuilding, Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 171,065. On rows with both numbers, 171,065 released against 150,000 targeted (114%). 2 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
No broodstock collected due to logistical challenges and low escapement | Not released at this site this year
2024 brood: reported actual releases 269,898. On rows with both numbers, 269,898 released against 1,100,000 targeted (25%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
No broodstock collected due to logistical challenges and low escapement
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 35,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry. Objectives: Rebuilding. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 25,941. On rows with both numbers, 14,591 released against 197,000 targeted (7%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Adult returns surpassed 1,000 adults so no enhancement was triggered.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 34,114. On rows with both numbers, 23,293 released against 35,000 targeted (67%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chinook, Chum, Coho production, with rebuilding, stewardship objectives. Targets are planned juvenile releases, not adult returns. Compare the post-season rows below for reported production; blanks and incomplete cohorts are not failures.
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
2026 brood primary release target: 450,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry. Objectives: Harvest. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chum production, with harvest objectives. Targets are planned juvenile releases, not adult returns. Compare the post-season rows below for reported production; blanks and incomplete cohorts are not failures.
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 210,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry. Objectives: Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 33,968. On rows with both numbers, 16,984 released against 75,000 targeted (23%). 4 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Not released at this site this year
2024 brood: reported actual releases 73,209. On rows with both numbers, 73,209 released against 75,000 targeted (98%). 4 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
No broodstock collected due to logistical challenges | Not released at this site this year
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 193,450 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry, Unfed. Objectives: Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 80,467. 9 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Not released at this site this year | Released as fed fry
2024 brood: reported actual releases 122,091. On rows with both numbers, 122,091 released against 130,000 targeted (94%). 7 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
No broodstock collected due to logistical challenges
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chum, Coho production, with stewardship objectives. Targets are planned juvenile releases, not adult returns. Compare the post-season rows below for reported production; blanks and incomplete cohorts are not failures.
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