2024 Port Alberni and Alberni Inlet Reports
- Thread starter SFBC
- Start date
High Time
Crew Member
SOMASS SOCKEYE BULLETIN # 3 – 2024 Date: June 20, 2024
For more information please contact the DFO office in Port Alberni at 250-720-4440
Somass Sockeye Stock Assessment Update
Pre-season forecast:
Somass (Great Central and Sproat): 500,000 Somass in-season re-forecast: 600,000
Henderson: Outlook 15,000 – 25,000
Escapement to June 18: Stamp: 22,852 Sproat: 9,605 Total: 32,457
Test Fishery: Seine vessel Nita Maria operated June 16 – 17
Abundance estimate: 45,000 outside Ten Mile Point & 25,000 inside
Catch Estimate: ~ 68,730
Somass First Nations – 27,129 Maa-nulth First Nations – 4,163
Area D Gillnet – 30,085 Area B Seine – 0
Recreational – 4,507 Test boat – 2,846
Weekly Fishing Plans (All fishing plans are subject to change):
Fishing plans are developed to minimize disruptions across the various fisheries. Please be respectful of
all groups while participating in the fishery.
First Nations
Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath & Tseshaht) – FSC hook & line open 7 days a week. EO gillnets are open 12 pm Sunday
June 23 until 12 pm Wednesday June 26, from Paper Mill Dam (PMD) to Ten Mile Point. The gillnet fishery may
close early depending on escapement and catch. Tseshaht community drag seine open daily from 5 am to 12 pm
Friday June 21 to Sunday June 23 at PMD pool. Hupacasath limited fleet community EO gillnet fishery open daily
from 7 am to 4 pm Friday June 14 and Saturday June 15 from PMD to Ten Mile Point. PMD pool remains closed to
hook & line.
Maa-nulth – Open 7 days a week for hook & line and gillnet fisheries within the Southern Maa-nulth Domestic
Fishing Area (MDFA) (Barkley Sound to Sproat Narrows). In June the harvest plan includes the contracting of
designated Area D Gillnet vessels displaying green Maa-nulth identification flags to harvest Sockeye within the
MDFA, which includes fishing areas normally restricted to commercial gillnet vessels, including Uchucklesit Inlet,
Rainy Bay, San Mateo Bay and Numukamis Bay.
Commercial
Area D Gillnet – Opening Tuesday June 25 for 10 hours, from 8 am to 6 pm, from the Bamfield Harbour to the
Pocahontas line. This fishery will be extended to open for 14 hours from 6am to 8pm if escapement targets are
met. A fishery notice will be posted on Monday if an extension is granted.
Area B Seine – Opening 10am Sunday June 23 until 10pm Wednesday June 26, with the possibility of extension.
Boundaries from the Pocahontas line to Polly Point with a “seine free zone” closed area near China Creek
(Dunsmuir to Hocking Point).
Recreational
Tidal opened on May 1. The daily catch limit is four from Alberni Harbour to the A23 surf line (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) and two in the tidal portions of the Somass River. Finfish closure around Uchucklesit Inlet from
Bilton / Coleman Creek to Chup Point / Hissin Point to come into effect June 30. See FN0404: RECREATIONAL
Salmon - Sockeye - Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet, and the tidal portion of the Somass River - Area 23 - Opening
San Mateo and the entrance to Alberni Inlet going to Sockeye non-retention June 30. See FN0531:
RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Sockeye - San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet - Subareas 23-3 and 23-4
- Sockeye Non-retention
***Attention recreational boaters: To aid in navigation and avoid collisions with Area D gillnets, gillnet ends not attached
to a vessel will be marked with orange floats; there will also be four larger white or yellow buoy’s spaced equidistantly
along the cork line. Please slow down when transiting near active fishing vessels.***
Freshwater open from May 1 to July 23 in a portion of the Somass River at Somass Park. Catch limit is one Sockeye
per day. See FN0405: RECREATIONAL Salmon - Sockeye - Portion of the Somass River at Somass Park - Region
1 - Opening
For more information please contact the DFO office in Port Alberni at 250-720-4440
Somass Sockeye Stock Assessment Update
Pre-season forecast:
Somass (Great Central and Sproat): 500,000 Somass in-season re-forecast: 600,000
Henderson: Outlook 15,000 – 25,000
Escapement to June 18: Stamp: 22,852 Sproat: 9,605 Total: 32,457
Test Fishery: Seine vessel Nita Maria operated June 16 – 17
Abundance estimate: 45,000 outside Ten Mile Point & 25,000 inside
Catch Estimate: ~ 68,730
Somass First Nations – 27,129 Maa-nulth First Nations – 4,163
Area D Gillnet – 30,085 Area B Seine – 0
Recreational – 4,507 Test boat – 2,846
Weekly Fishing Plans (All fishing plans are subject to change):
Fishing plans are developed to minimize disruptions across the various fisheries. Please be respectful of
all groups while participating in the fishery.
First Nations
Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath & Tseshaht) – FSC hook & line open 7 days a week. EO gillnets are open 12 pm Sunday
June 23 until 12 pm Wednesday June 26, from Paper Mill Dam (PMD) to Ten Mile Point. The gillnet fishery may
close early depending on escapement and catch. Tseshaht community drag seine open daily from 5 am to 12 pm
Friday June 21 to Sunday June 23 at PMD pool. Hupacasath limited fleet community EO gillnet fishery open daily
from 7 am to 4 pm Friday June 14 and Saturday June 15 from PMD to Ten Mile Point. PMD pool remains closed to
hook & line.
Maa-nulth – Open 7 days a week for hook & line and gillnet fisheries within the Southern Maa-nulth Domestic
Fishing Area (MDFA) (Barkley Sound to Sproat Narrows). In June the harvest plan includes the contracting of
designated Area D Gillnet vessels displaying green Maa-nulth identification flags to harvest Sockeye within the
MDFA, which includes fishing areas normally restricted to commercial gillnet vessels, including Uchucklesit Inlet,
Rainy Bay, San Mateo Bay and Numukamis Bay.
Commercial
Area D Gillnet – Opening Tuesday June 25 for 10 hours, from 8 am to 6 pm, from the Bamfield Harbour to the
Pocahontas line. This fishery will be extended to open for 14 hours from 6am to 8pm if escapement targets are
met. A fishery notice will be posted on Monday if an extension is granted.
Area B Seine – Opening 10am Sunday June 23 until 10pm Wednesday June 26, with the possibility of extension.
Boundaries from the Pocahontas line to Polly Point with a “seine free zone” closed area near China Creek
(Dunsmuir to Hocking Point).
Recreational
Tidal opened on May 1. The daily catch limit is four from Alberni Harbour to the A23 surf line (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) and two in the tidal portions of the Somass River. Finfish closure around Uchucklesit Inlet from
Bilton / Coleman Creek to Chup Point / Hissin Point to come into effect June 30. See FN0404: RECREATIONAL
Salmon - Sockeye - Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet, and the tidal portion of the Somass River - Area 23 - Opening
San Mateo and the entrance to Alberni Inlet going to Sockeye non-retention June 30. See FN0531:
RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Sockeye - San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet - Subareas 23-3 and 23-4
- Sockeye Non-retention
***Attention recreational boaters: To aid in navigation and avoid collisions with Area D gillnets, gillnet ends not attached
to a vessel will be marked with orange floats; there will also be four larger white or yellow buoy’s spaced equidistantly
along the cork line. Please slow down when transiting near active fishing vessels.***
Freshwater open from May 1 to July 23 in a portion of the Somass River at Somass Park. Catch limit is one Sockeye
per day. See FN0405: RECREATIONAL Salmon - Sockeye - Portion of the Somass River at Somass Park - Region
1 - Opening
Kate Mckinley
Member
Last year the commercial openings were alot...seemed constant between Seine and Gill netting. But don't worry...we caught the majority of our Sox in July. It has been slow in the canal with some really hit and miss days so far so hoping for a pickup next week when netting is done.
casper5280
Crew Member
casper5280
Crew Member
![IMG_6781[1].JPG](/data/attachments/107/107651-04b00e5c7b3cf26b81749c17b9de6baf.jpg?hash=BLAOXHs88m)
![IMG_6782[1].JPG](/data/attachments/107/107652-0ba434af74a0fe733abf06beb3ae0018.jpg?hash=C6Q0r3Sg_n)
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
awesome....
How early did you have to get on the water to achieve those numbers? Going to be giving it a go myself next weekend, but fishing with my teenage nephew. Anticipate some grumpy early morning wake ups for him!
TipUp
Well-Known Member
Should be prime time for sockeye then. Not a lot of opportunity for spring that time of year near CC but if you run out to the sound there should be spring and coho. Closest spot would be Pill Point or Robbers Passage. Not many opportunities for bottom fish in the inlet.
casper5280
Crew Member
We leave China creek marnia 5:30-6
Breakin"even
Crew Member
I haven't done as well, cought most at 80" on blue and pink. What are you doing?
One More
Crew Member
Dummy flasher off the ball, Flasher with pink hootchie on a short leader 18-24", 50-65' depth, 1.5-2 mph troll
Springking
Member
Easy limits the last 2 mornings. We got our 12 today all around China creek.
I assume you're stacking rods on top of the dummies?
One More
Crew Member
Typically. If you find the school and they're biting every few minutes I don't bother
High Time
Crew Member
SOMASS SOCKEYE BULLETIN # 4 – 2024 Date: June 27, 2024
For more information please contact the DFO office in Port Alberni at 250-720-4440
Somass Sockeye Stock Assessment Update
Pre-season forecast:
Somass (Great Central and Sproat): 500,000 Somass in-season re-forecast: 675,000
Henderson: Outlook 15,000 – 25,000
Escapement to June 25: Stamp: 48,979 Sproat: 15,886 Total: 64,865
Test Fishery: Seine vessel Nita Maria operated June 23 – 24
Abundance estimate: 75,000 outside Ten Mile Point & 80,000 inside
Catch Estimate: ~ 144,251
Somass First Nations – 52,100 Maa-nulth First Nations – 9,454
Area D Gillnet – 41,693 Area B Seine – 23,646
Recreational – 10,139 Test boat – 7,219
Weekly Fishing Plans (All fishing plans are subject to change):
Fishing plans are developed to minimize disruptions across the various fisheries. Please be respectful of
all groups while participating in the fishery.
First Nations
Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath & Tseshaht) – FSC hook & line open 7 days a week. Seine vessel Nita Maria designated
to catch community fish from 5 am Friday June 28 to 10 pm Saturday June 29 from Polly Point to Ten Mile Point.
Tseshaht community drag seine open from 5 am to 12 pm Sunday June 30 at PMD pool. PMD pool remains closed
to hook & line.
Maa-nulth – Open 7 days a week for hook & line and gillnet fisheries within the Southern Maa-nulth Domestic
Fishing Area (MDFA) (Barkley Sound to Sproat Narrows). The harvest plan includes the contracting of designated
Area D Gillnet vessels displaying green Maa-nulth identification flags to harvest Sockeye within the MDFA, which
includes fishing areas normally restricted to commercial gillnet vessels, including Uchucklesit Inlet, Rainy Bay, San
Mateo Bay and Numukamis Bay.
Commercial
Area D Gillnet – No fishery planned this week. If escapement to Sproat Lake improves fishing plans will be
discussed on Tuesday for a possible Thursday opening.
Area B Seine – Opening 10am Monday July 1 until 10pm Wednesday July 3, with the possibility of extension.
Boundaries from Bilton Point / Coleman Creek to Polly Point with a “seine free zone” closed area near China Creek
(Dunsmuir to Hocking Point).
Recreational
Tidal opened on May 1. The daily catch limit is four from Alberni Harbour to the A23 surf line (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) and two in the tidal portions of the Somass River. Finfish closure around Uchucklesit Inlet from
Bilton / Coleman Creek to Chup Point / Hissin Point to come into effect June 30. See FN0404: RECREATIONAL
Salmon - Sockeye - Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet, and the tidal portion of the Somass River - Area 23 - Opening
Sockeye non-retention starting June 30 for San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet. See FN0531:
Recreational
Tidal opened on May 1. The daily catch limit is four from Alberni Harbour to the A23 surf line (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) and two in the tidal portions of the Somass River. Finfish closure around Uchucklesit Inlet from
Bilton / Coleman Creek to Chup Point / Hissin Point to come into effect June 30. See FN0404: RECREATIONAL
Salmon - Sockeye - Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet, and the tidal portion of the Somass River - Area 23 - Opening
Sockeye non-retention starting June 30 for San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet. See FN0531:
RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Sockeye - San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet - Subareas 23-3 and 23-4
- Sockeye Non-retention
Freshwater open from May 1 to July 23 in a portion of the Somass River at Somass Park. Catch limit is one Sockeye
per day. See FN0405: RECREATIONAL Salmon - Sockeye - Portion of the Somass River at Somass Park - Region
1 - Opening
For more information please contact the DFO office in Port Alberni at 250-720-4440
Somass Sockeye Stock Assessment Update
Pre-season forecast:
Somass (Great Central and Sproat): 500,000 Somass in-season re-forecast: 675,000
Henderson: Outlook 15,000 – 25,000
Escapement to June 25: Stamp: 48,979 Sproat: 15,886 Total: 64,865
Test Fishery: Seine vessel Nita Maria operated June 23 – 24
Abundance estimate: 75,000 outside Ten Mile Point & 80,000 inside
Catch Estimate: ~ 144,251
Somass First Nations – 52,100 Maa-nulth First Nations – 9,454
Area D Gillnet – 41,693 Area B Seine – 23,646
Recreational – 10,139 Test boat – 7,219
Weekly Fishing Plans (All fishing plans are subject to change):
Fishing plans are developed to minimize disruptions across the various fisheries. Please be respectful of
all groups while participating in the fishery.
First Nations
Tsu-ma-uss (Hupacasath & Tseshaht) – FSC hook & line open 7 days a week. Seine vessel Nita Maria designated
to catch community fish from 5 am Friday June 28 to 10 pm Saturday June 29 from Polly Point to Ten Mile Point.
Tseshaht community drag seine open from 5 am to 12 pm Sunday June 30 at PMD pool. PMD pool remains closed
to hook & line.
Maa-nulth – Open 7 days a week for hook & line and gillnet fisheries within the Southern Maa-nulth Domestic
Fishing Area (MDFA) (Barkley Sound to Sproat Narrows). The harvest plan includes the contracting of designated
Area D Gillnet vessels displaying green Maa-nulth identification flags to harvest Sockeye within the MDFA, which
includes fishing areas normally restricted to commercial gillnet vessels, including Uchucklesit Inlet, Rainy Bay, San
Mateo Bay and Numukamis Bay.
Commercial
Area D Gillnet – No fishery planned this week. If escapement to Sproat Lake improves fishing plans will be
discussed on Tuesday for a possible Thursday opening.
Area B Seine – Opening 10am Monday July 1 until 10pm Wednesday July 3, with the possibility of extension.
Boundaries from Bilton Point / Coleman Creek to Polly Point with a “seine free zone” closed area near China Creek
(Dunsmuir to Hocking Point).
Recreational
Tidal opened on May 1. The daily catch limit is four from Alberni Harbour to the A23 surf line (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) and two in the tidal portions of the Somass River. Finfish closure around Uchucklesit Inlet from
Bilton / Coleman Creek to Chup Point / Hissin Point to come into effect June 30. See FN0404: RECREATIONAL
Salmon - Sockeye - Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet, and the tidal portion of the Somass River - Area 23 - Opening
Sockeye non-retention starting June 30 for San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet. See FN0531:
Recreational
Tidal opened on May 1. The daily catch limit is four from Alberni Harbour to the A23 surf line (Cape Beale to
Amphitrite Point) and two in the tidal portions of the Somass River. Finfish closure around Uchucklesit Inlet from
Bilton / Coleman Creek to Chup Point / Hissin Point to come into effect June 30. See FN0404: RECREATIONAL
Salmon - Sockeye - Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet, and the tidal portion of the Somass River - Area 23 - Opening
Sockeye non-retention starting June 30 for San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet. See FN0531:
RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Sockeye - San Mateo Bay and the entrance to Alberni Inlet - Subareas 23-3 and 23-4
- Sockeye Non-retention
Freshwater open from May 1 to July 23 in a portion of the Somass River at Somass Park. Catch limit is one Sockeye
per day. See FN0405: RECREATIONAL Salmon - Sockeye - Portion of the Somass River at Somass Park - Region
1 - Opening
casper5280
Crew Member
Fished yesterday and today. Lights out yesterday easy limits for 4 in 2 1/2 hours. Same today except 4 hours shift, last 2 hours to scratch up the last 2. Have the family's supply of salmon for the year. Another great sockeye season for us and good times with family and friends. Won't be back up till the springs start to show, till then will fish the local waters to stay in shape. Lol
Breakin"even
Crew Member
Looking at going out soon, any recent fishing reports around China Creek?
allanb76
Crew Member
Easy limits for 2 of us yesterday morning and this morning.
Similar threads
