Salmon Fishing on Vancouver Island

No place in British Columbia can compete with Vancouver Island when it comes to salmon fishing. The whole island is in a great position for salmon to pass by on their migration to various rivers and lakes. Adult Chinook salmon migrate during the summer, some going south and some going north, but wherever they’re going, they are sure to pass by Vancouver Island. On the island, not only is there great fishing, but the scenery is gorgeous. Over 200 rivers and streams cover the area along with over 2000 fish bearing lakes.

Arguably, the best salmon fishing on Vancouver Island and possibly along the whole Pacific coast is on Kyuquot (pronounced Ki-YOU-kwat) Sound about 180 miles northwest of Vancouver. No roads go up that far, so you have to fly or boat in. The season runs from late June to early September with surprisingly good Chinook fishing the whole season.
In the Tofino area, there is a diversity of options for fishing salmon. There are salmon from all over the northwest that travel through the local waters, including Chinook, Coho, Pink, Chum, and Sockeye. Spring through early fall are great times to visit, since the weather is beautiful and so many salmon are traveling through.

Ocean conditions determine weather or not it will be a good year for salmon fishing. Unusually warm north Pacific waters cause less salmon production, while cooler waters increase the amount of salmon. Not only because of the temperature of the water, but also because of predators that like warm temperatures moving farther north than normal to prey on the salmon. The last few years the Pacific has been cooler and the salmon fishing on Vancouver Island has been so good, anglers expect to catch something big!