2025 Nootka Sound/Esperanza Inlet Reports

I would definitely not pull a boat over the Head Bay FSR in a minivan. The campground is good but its a hike down to the docks. There are a decent amount of stairs involved, or a long walk down the road. If you need to bring gear of any significance between the camp site and the boat, you'll probably want to drive it down.
good info about how far the site is from the docks. Cougar creek was an easy walk to the boats.
 
Camped at moutcha bay resort with my dad last year. Power is good, my dad has a pleasureway sprinter van and it powered everything in it no problem. Road to moutcha was fine....but I wouldn't recommend doing the road down to the launch in a minivan, it's steep and can be loose, I can see a minivan having issues with a trailer going up it. I was in a 1500 Ram last year towing our old 17' whaler up it and had some slipping. The stairs down are fine if you're fit. If you're not, it's a slog. My dad has bad knees so we'd shuttle him up and down from the site. Bathrooms and showers are nice and the campground is well kept. Moorage is a must.
 
Just got back from a weekend trip to Nootka. Fished friendly cove and wash rock, small spoons were all we used and the bite was on. Several springs and coho both, more hatchery fish than wild fish. Lost one spring around 20lbs, boated 3 in the mid teens for springs. Some of the coho are decently sized for this time of year. Had kids and grandparents out and everyone had a blast, several double headers.

More commercial prawn boats around the inlet than normal for this time of year, usually late season we are down to 2 or 3 boats, there are still 12 or more and traps everywhere. Best to leave your prawn traps at home for a while.

Great start to the season for salmon!
 
i am going jul 11-14 - done some reading but thought id ask: Anything i should expect or lookout for? I've read prawning can be tough as commercial boats have been through but im going to be stubborn and bring my new ones as i have never prawned.... any tips? Long time self guided fishermen at lodges - first salmon trip as a boat owner.... bottom fishing good around then?
 
abromle, if your going to try prawning find areas that are tucked away. Commercial boats have to lay a lot of line out each string so they need a big area. Drop them in behind structure that only has room for a few traps. Between 250 and 350 feet and you should get enough for a few meals.

Salmon fishing is very good right now.
 
abromle, if your going to try prawning find areas that are tucked away. Commercial boats have to lay a lot of line out each string so they need a big area. Drop them in behind structure that only has room for a few traps. Between 250 and 350 feet and you should get enough for a few meals.

Salmon fishing is very good right now.
Thank you kindly for your time!!
 
Watch out for muddy bottom as the hagfish will slime your traps like nothing you have ever seen! As for fishing July 11-14 will have some fish on the inside (the wall, camel rock, hoiss point, beer can bay etc.. but most productive fishing will probably still be at the lighthouse and farther out towards wash rock, Maquinna point and Beano creek as well as some fish at Burdwood..I like offshore in am and inside for the pm sun set. small spoons,wee gees, skinny g’s, coho killers etc.. flash flys and hoochys if the squid are still around like they are right now work great.. bottom fishing is hit and miss but I like to head out farther in the am (like to Beano) and then once I’m done with salmon and the wind comes up I troll the bottom with plugs coming home a couple miles offshore and pick up a mix of lings and hali.. earlier in the year is better as they start to move farther out and get picked over by mid July but it never hurts to try.. if weather is good then the find the pinnacles 8-12 miles out and pound the ground. I’ll be up there July 16-20 so hope you do well!
 
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