Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait reports: Victoria, Sidney, Sooke and Port Renfrew.
Mature chinook are still holding offshore and feeding on large herring down at 200-250 ft - French Creek, Entrance Island and Thrasher Rock are producing chrome fish on large plugs like the Sparkle Herring Glow Belly Tomic, and next year's feeder springs (many already 10 lb+) are taking faster spoons like a Black Squiggle Skinny G behind a Barbie's Revenge flasher on 6 ft of 25 lb fluorocarbon. Inshore at Five Finger Island and the river mouths, big chinook are waiting on rain - brighter gear like the Skinny G Outfitter with a Black Onion flasher. Port Renfrew coho are winding down but still good-sized on small spoons (Sex-E Black Panther, Skinny G Gold Phantom). Around Victoria the coho are out in 300+ ft off Secretary and Otter Points, Becher Bay is giving up 5-10 lb fish with the odd teen (the Cheanuh derby winner went 14.5 lb on bait in 400 ft off Aldridge Point), and waterfront springs are coming from 100-120 ft on the downrigger. Sooke and Victoria producers include Party Girl Skinny Gs, Wee Gs and AP Tackleworks spoons. Pedder Bay anchovies are working in Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads, with Betsy or Bon Chovy flashers.
Sources: The Harbour Chandler fishing report, FishingBooker charter report, Island Outfitters fishing report - thank you to these sources for their updates. Further details in the linked reports.
Port Renfrew: coho fishing winding down but still giving up good-sized fish; mature chinook holding deep at 200-250 ft on the banks.
Source: The Harbour Chandler fishing report, Oct 9 2026.
Victoria waterfront: fall chinook action on the calm-water days.
Source: FishingBooker charter report, Oct 5 2026.
Sooke / Becher Bay: coho fair to good in deeper water over 300 ft out in the strait, winter springs off the Bluffs; Skinny G's, Wee G's and AP Tackleworks spoons the producers; Cheanuh Marina Coho Derby won with a 14.5 lb coho worth $9,730.
Source: Island Outfitters fishing report, Oct 4 2026.
Victoria waterfront / Oak Bay: spotty salmon deeper than usual - 100-120 ft on the downrigger producing 6-10 lb fish; halibut fair at Constance Bank and the Albert Head mud hole.
Source: Island Outfitters fishing report, Oct 4 2026.
Sidney: chinook slow, springs caught deep at 100-150 ft near Bamberton in the Inlet, plus large springs jigging near Separation Point.
Source: Island Outfitters fishing report, Oct 4 2026.
Mid-island east coast: large chinook fishing peaking off the island's east side.
Source: The Harbour Chandler fishing report, Sep 16 2026.
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| Species | Areas | Daily limit | Min size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon | ||||
| Chinook | 17-1 to 17-4, 17-8, 17-10 to 17-12, 17-21, 18-1 to 18-7, 18-9 to 18-11, 19-5 to 19-11 | 2 | 62cm | - |
| Chinook | 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9, 17-13 to 17-20, 18-8, 19-12 | 0 (non-retention) | 62cm | - |
| Chum | 17-20 | 4 | 30cm | - |
| Coho | 17-18 | 2 | 30cm | max 2 hatchery-marked; max 0 wild |
| Pink | 17-20 | 4 | 30cm | - |
| Sockeye | 17-20 | 0 (non-retention) | 30cm | - |
| Finfish other than salmon | ||||
| Codfish | 17-20 | 8 | - | - |
| Eulachon | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Finfish - all other species | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Greenling | 17-20 | 3 | - | - |
| Halibut | 17-20 | 2 | - | - |
| Herring | 17-20 | 20kg | - | - |
| Lingcod | 17-19, 20-5 to 20-7 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Mackerel | 17-20 | 100 | - | - |
| Northern Anchovy | 17-20 | 20kg | - | - |
| Pacific sand lance | 17-20 | 5kg | - | - |
| Pacific sardine | 17-20 | 100 | - | - |
| Rockfish - Yelloweye | 17-20 | 0 (non-retention) | - | - |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 17-19, 20-5 to 20-7 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Sablefish | 17-20 | 4 | - | - |
| Sculpin | 17-20 | 8 | - | - |
| Shark - Basking | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Shark - Blue | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Shark - Brown Cat | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Shark - Great White | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Shark - | 17-20 | 1 | - | - |
| Shark - Sixgill | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Shark - Tope | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Shark - all other species | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Skate | 17-20 | 1 | - | - |
| Smelt | 17-20 | 20kg | - | - |
| Sole or Flounder | 17-20 | 8 | - | - |
| Spiny Dogfish | 17-20 | 0 (non-retention) | - | - |
| Surfperch | 17-20 | 8 | - | - |
| Tuna - Albacore | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Tuna - Pacific bluefin | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Tuna - all other species | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| White Sturgeon | 17-20 | 0 (non-retention) | - | - |
| Wolf Eel | 17-20 | 0 (non-retention) | - | - |
| Trout | 17-20 | 2 | 30cm | max 2 hatchery-marked; max 0 wild |
| Bivalve shellfish (clams, oysters, scallops...) | ||||
| Clam - Butter | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Clam - Horse | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Clam - Littleneck | 17-20 | 60 | - | - |
| Clam - Manila | 17-20 | 60 | - | - |
| Clam - Razor | 17-20 | 12 | - | - |
| Clam - Softshell | 17-20 | 25 | - | - |
| Clam - Varnish | 17-20 | 60 | - | - |
| Clam - all species combined | 17-20 | 60 | - | - |
| Cockles | 17-20 | 25 | - | - |
| Geoduck | 17-20 | 3 | - | - |
| Mussel - Blue | 17-20 | 75 | - | - |
| Mussel - California | 17-20 | 25 | - | - |
| Mussels - all species combined | 17-20 | 75 | - | - |
| Oyster - Olympia | 17-20 | 0 | - | - |
| Oyster - all species except Olympia | 17-20 | 12 | - | - |
| Scallop - Pink and Spiny | 17-20 | 75 | - | - |
| Scallop - Purple-hinged rock | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Scallop - Weathervane | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Scallop - Weathervane and Purple-hinged rock combined | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Snail - Moon | 17-20 | 2 | - | - |
| Snail - other | 17-20 | 75 | - | - |
| Whelks | 17-20 | 75 | - | - |
| Crab | ||||
| Crab - Box | 17-20 | 1 | - | - |
| Crab - Dungeness | 17-20 | 4 | 165mm | - |
| Crab - Dungeness and Red Rock combined | 17-20 | 4 | - | - |
| Crab - King | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Crab - Puget Sound King | 17-20 | 1 | - | - |
| Crab - Red Rock | 17-20 | 4 | 115mm | - |
| Crab - Shore | 17-20 | 25 | - | - |
| Crab - other | 17-20 | 4 | - | - |
| Other shellfish + invertebrates (shrimp, prawns, octopus...) | ||||
| Abalone | 17-20 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Barnacles - Giant | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Barnacles - Goose | 17-20 | 2kg | - | - |
| Invertebrates - all other species | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Limpet | 17-20 | 75 | - | - |
| Octopus | 17-20 | 1 | - | - |
| Sand Dollar | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Sea Cucumber | 17-20 | 12 | - | - |
| Sea Star or Starfish | 17-20 | 6 | - | - |
| Sea Urchin | 17-20 | 12 | - | - |
| Shellfish - all other species | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Shrimp - Ghost | 17-20 | 50 | - | - |
| Shrimp including prawn | 18, 20, 17-1 to 17-4, 17-7, 17-8, 17-10 to 17-21, 19-1 to 19-6 | 125 | - | - |
| Shrimp including prawn | 17-5, 17-6, 17-9, 19-7 to 19-12 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Squid - Opal | 17-20 | 200 | - | - |
| Squid - all other species | 17-20 | 20 | - | - |
| Salmon | ||||
| Chinook | 19-1, 19-3, 19-4, 20-1 to 20-5 | 2 | 45cm | - |
| Chinook | 19-2 | 0 (closed) | - | - |
| Coho | 19 | 2 | 30cm | max 2 hatchery-marked; max 1 wild |
| Chinook | 20-6, 20-7 | 0 (non-retention) | 45cm | - |
| Coho | 20-2 | 4 | 30cm | max 4 hatchery-marked; max 2 wild |
| Coho | 20-1, 20-3 to 20-7 | 4 | 30cm | max 4 hatchery-marked; max 1 wild |
| Finfish other than salmon | ||||
| Lingcod | 20-1 to 20-4 | 3 | 65cm | - |
| Rockfish - all species except Yelloweye | 20-1 to 20-4 | 3 | - | - |
November 2026
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Chinook salmon
Coho salmon
Halibut
Prawns
Bottomfish
AI-generated summaries · checked October 14, 2026. Dated evidence, not live counts or fishing advice.
San Juan River Chinook: DFO's final 2025 estimate was 271 natural adult spawners (excluding jacks), the lowest of 17 final reported values in this selected 2006-2025 series. This is a within-series comparison, not an all-time or region-wide record. Survey changes and missing years limit comparisons.
DFO NuSEDS source and dictionaryNOAA 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.
A DFO study modelled four shark species at 3 km resolution. Bluntnose sixgill sharks had their highest predicted occurrence in the Strait of Georgia; blue and Pacific sleeper sharks were more likely along the continental slope. These are modelled distributions, not sightings, abundance counts or current locations. Predictions fix the year at 2014 and omit some depths and seasons.
DFO shark model, methods and uncertaintyDFO: 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 reports preliminary 2025 Cowichan Chinook returns of 32,366 adults and 18,872 jacks, with naturally spawning adults above the 6,500 target for the tenth consecutive year. Its preliminary 2026 expectation is average to above average. This is Cowichan-specific and cannot be applied to every South Island river. An early outlook is not an observed 2026 return.
DFO 2026 preliminary outlook, pages 25–26. 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: 605,000 juveniles. Stages: Smolt 0+. Objectives: Assessment. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 454,600. On rows with both numbers, 454,600 released against 605,000 targeted (75%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 555,247. On rows with both numbers, 555,247 released against 605,000 targeted (92%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chinook production, with assessment 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: 220,000 juveniles. Stages: Eyed Egg, Fed Fry. Objectives: Harvest, Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 4,458. On rows with both numbers, 4,458 released against 270,000 targeted (2%). 3 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 119,258. On rows with both numbers, 88,065 released against 350,000 targeted (25%). 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
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: 160,500 juveniles. Stages: Eyed Egg, Fed Fall, Fed Fry, Smolt 1+. Objectives: Harvest, Rebuilding, Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 58,463. On rows with both numbers, 27,551 released against 125,000 targeted (22%). 5 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 54,288. On rows with both numbers, 51,378 released against 40,000 targeted (128%). 4 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Project on hold due to logistical constraints. | Released as fed fall
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chum, Coho production, with harvest, 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.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 485,500 juveniles. Stages: Eyed Egg, Smolt 0+. Objectives: Rebuilding, Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 562,433. On rows with both numbers, 522,860 released against 440,000 targeted (119%). 2 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 | Put in EPAD as a "transfer out" and not a "release". Keep as is.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 455,000. 2 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
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chinook 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.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 437,500 juveniles. Stages: Smolt 0+. Objectives: Rebuilding. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 314,559. On rows with both numbers, 314,559 released against 437,500 targeted (72%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 420,284. On rows with both numbers, 193,351 released against 225,000 targeted (86%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Released as fed fry
Young salmon by brood year. 2024 is incomplete. Orange: 2026 primary release plan, not actual.
2026 brood primary release target: 135,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry. Objectives: Stewardship. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 108,146. On rows with both numbers, 108,146 released against 135,000 targeted (80%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chinook, 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.
Reported releases only; some source rows are blank.
2026 brood primary release target: 4,300,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry, Seapen 0+, Smolt 0+. Objectives: Harvest, Rebuilding. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 5,465,625. On rows with both numbers, 3,206,553 released against 4,510,000 targeted (71%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Released as fed fry to Henderson Lake.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 3,378,344. On rows with both numbers, 1,651,617 released against 4,000,000 targeted (41%). 3 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
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: 10,000,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry, Seapen. Objectives: Harvest. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 3,025,105. On rows with both numbers, 3,025,105 released against 5,000,000 targeted (61%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
Only released Seapen chum this year.
2024 brood: reported actual releases 10,590,814. On rows with both numbers, 10,590,814 released against 10,000,000 targeted (106%). 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: 160,000 juveniles. Stages: Fed Fry, Smolt 1+. Objectives: Harvest. Plan row status: Preliminary. Transfers and alternate strategies excluded from this target.
2023 brood: reported actual releases 135,038. On rows with both numbers, 135,038 released against 175,000 targeted (77%). This measures reported juvenile production only.
More favourable BKD results resulted in higher survival from large egg take. Not high enough that smolt program could be completed
2024 brood: reported actual releases 49,514. On rows with both numbers, 49,514 released against 50,000 targeted (99%). 1 row(s) have no reported actual; these are not counted as zero. This measures reported juvenile production only.
AI-generated summary: The 2026 brood plan lists Chinook, Chum, Coho production, with 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.
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