2022 Winter Harbour Reports
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Northdogboy
Active Member
Looking for a kayak fishing camping spot for a summer trip. How far out do you start to find fish. Not looking for hot numbers just how far do you need to travel for consistint fish?
gokart
Active Member
You have to go to the light house, which is by boat around 10 min , not sure how long will take by kayak.
easydoesit
Active Member
As go-kart says Kains Island (lighthouse) is the most consistent producer. First hand Intel from a creel census taker was that Kains accounts for more than 1/2 of the fish reported. In a small boat you can fish all around the island. Cliffe Point is a strong second. Both locations can be rough when the wind comes up, really no place to pull out of the water except at low tide. Lots of boat traffic so choose your tack carefully. There is (pay) camping in Winter Harbour. Use caution.
Good luck!
ValorFish
Member
Hunt island about 5km south of Winter Harbour, about half way to Kains (lighthouse) is a great spot to Kayak camp. Take a look at bcmarinetrails.org for some good info on Kayak camping spots. The South beach of Hunt island is perfect spot IMO, accessible on high tides, but can get beached on low tides, the North beach is a far better landing spot, but camp spots not as nice. Have camped and fished from there with a small zodiac, with good success between Hunt and Kains, small area between Kains and mainland was best. Great spot, good luck.
Heading up to WH next week for five days of fishing. Looking fwd to getting back there. Four boats in our group. Staying at the marina. I think we'll camp On channel 6. Will hit the usual spots from brooks up to north of top knot. Will post upon return. Anybody want to share recent info would be welcome.. Cheers Swells
Game Changer
Well-Known Member
What day you heading in there Swells? We will be arriving on the 4th , and fishing for 7 days. Hopefully the squid are in at Grants. Good luck out there, we will call you on 6.
Recognize your boat there 'after hours' - we crossed paths last year at Oli's place at about the same time (early June). I have the thunderjet. Were up there June 1 - 6th. Staying at the marina. Hopefully have things somewhat dialed in when you arrive... maybe! Talk to you in a bit.... Cheers
Game Changer
Well-Known Member
Will report back for sure! Definitely leave a few for you guys!!!
Adler
Well-Known Member
First ever trip up to Quatsino/Winter Harbour. Went up on Wednesday, fished the mouth of the sound Thursday and Friday and returned yesterday. We were pretty lucky weatherwise, and fished long days both days. We didn't find many salmon, although lost two good runners and did manage to get one Spring on Friday. A guide we spoke with got them, but noted the bites were short when they came on. Saw small coho starting to jump in the sound. We did see a 21# spring one day at the dock.
Ground fishing was great, lots of nice ling and rockfish, surprised at the number of big yellow eyes biting on all gear - we got the seaquilizer dialed in. Friday we got into the chicken halibut, managed to catch 4 keepers, nothing big. Crabbing was good too.
As a first trip to the area, it was lots of fun, beauty scenery (including a pod of orcas) and good company making it worth the trip (1000kms of towing to get to coal harbour and back).
Ground fishing was great, lots of nice ling and rockfish, surprised at the number of big yellow eyes biting on all gear - we got the seaquilizer dialed in. Friday we got into the chicken halibut, managed to catch 4 keepers, nothing big. Crabbing was good too.
As a first trip to the area, it was lots of fun, beauty scenery (including a pod of orcas) and good company making it worth the trip (1000kms of towing to get to coal harbour and back).
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Dogbreath
Well-Known Member
All of the northern part of the Island -- both sides -- is lousy with Yelloweye starting at around 60' deep-time for a cull!
N2013
Well-Known Member
Pretty neat place. Worth the tow though.
BcChrome
Member
Sounds like a great trip looking forward to heading up soon. Never tried crabbing up there but nice to hear it was good maybe will give it a go this year
Sttr
Crew Member
Went up to winter harbour for the weekend. Fishing was great. Friday was gorgeous and we were able to get out past lawn point. Ling and Hali fishing was lights out. Didn’t need to anchor past 200 feet. Saturday and Sunday the weather turned and going out was rough. Stuck around lawn, the lighthouse and Cliff to find some nooks. Hit a couple beauties circling bait, but was pretty slow, orcas came through on Friday and killed the bite, really had to grind it out.
What an amazing place, I’m already itching to get back out here!
What an amazing place, I’m already itching to get back out here!
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Adler
Well-Known Member
We had heard the crab are deep, like 300', so brought a puller with us. Worth it.
Dogbreath
Well-Known Member
That keeps the Otters out of your traps.
Reel Time
Well-Known Member
Lots of forestry roads, big logging trucks most of the day. Have spare tires. I just launch from port alice, boat over. Easy.
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