Fishing Report
Big Springs and Small Pinks
Fishing has been mixed around Nanaimo lately. Some days are great, some are slower. Most of the Chinook are fairly deep with best catches coming from 200 ft down, on the North side of Entrance Island. There are some shallower local fish holding around Five Fingers and...
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Chinook Opening Monday
We have been eagerly counting down the days until Chinook opens for retention this Monday July 15. Sadly we have just learned there will be a slot size imposed, with a Chinook maximum size of 80 cms. This notwithstanding Chinook fishing is excellent. I've never seen...
read moreBest Chinook Year Since the 1980’s
Just a quick update: Nanaimo fishing and all of Georgia Straight is incredible fishing this year. Fishermen are reporting catching more than 30 legal Chinook in an afternoon. Five Fingers and Thrasher Rock have been best for Chinook. Everything is working, from spoons...
read moreBoat loads of Salmom
Just a quick up date before the weekend. Chinook fishing is incredible right now. Catching 30 legal fish a trip is a possibility, with one local charter guide saying he had 53 to the boat. Average fish is mid teens, with some much larger fish starting to show. There...
read moreFinally, fish on the BBQ!
Coho has opened and Georgia Straight fishermen are finally able to retain salmon! The current limit is 2 hatchery Coho, 12 inches are larger. The only issue is there are so many big Chinook also in our area that you may have trouble getting your gear past them. There...
read moreCoho Opening
Local catch and release fishermen are doing very well off Nanaimo. There are loads of mid-sized Chinook passing by right now. They are not too deep and closer to shore now. Try Five Fingers instead of heading all the way out to Spoil Grounds or Double Bumps. Best lure...
read moreCoho Show
I've had several fishermen report Coho showing up Off Five Finger Island, Entrance Island and down at Porlier Pass. While not yet open for retention, this is still a great sign for us. The Chinook run is incredibly good right now, with 20 fish trips very possible. The...
read moreLingcod Opening
Just a heads up that Lingcod and Rockfish are scheduled to open May 1st. Last year was a great year for Lings and I'm sure this year will be too. Swim-baits are your best bet for hooking your fish and chips supply for the year. Remember you now must have a Rockfish...
read moreThe Last Springtime Spring Salmon
The Chinook are here in abundance, and they are biting. While DFO has closed Chinook retention until July 15th, I strongly encourage you to keep fishing. Be as gentle as possible when releasing salmon, but don't let the regulation changes keep you off the water....
read moreThe Bites On!!!
This years fish have arrived. The big white springs and marble springs are out on the salmon highway. These are some of my favorite salmon to catch and eat. Head out past Five Fingers to the 'Double Bumps' or the 'Spoil Grounds'. If you don't know where that is, check...
read moreSalmon in the Sunshine
Winter has finally ended, we seem to have skipped over spring and gone straight into summer. The salmon however are still on their normal schedule. While it has been hit and miss locally for the last week there is a large school of Chinook heading our way. At the time...
read moreSpringtime is for Spring Salmon
Finally we have Spring weather and and more fisherman are hitting the water. Our local feeder Springs are moving around and feeding heavily. There where quite a few fish in the 8-9 pound range taken around Five Fingers yesterday, with lot's of undersized Springs in...
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The Harbour Chandler Fishing Report
Current Fishery Notices for the Pacific Region
Find current openings and closures information from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.