2025 Victoria and Oak Bay Reports

[Original]

Got out Monday to wash some spoons off esq. Dropped traps and trolled from there out to the freighters and as soon as we got behind one the day took a fun turn. Our first bite came on the turn on the inside rod so we slowed our speed down and it was non stop action. Doubled up a few times and had about 15 fish to the boat over the next few hrs. Fish are getting bigger with lots of bait around. About a 50/50 mix of clipped & wild. We had 3 in the tub looking for that teenager that never bit the hook. Fished the smaller herring aid spoons on both side and had no reason to swap em out as both sides were getting lots of action. A couple keeper crabs but some big softies that went back.
Another great day on the water

 

[eroyd]

Risked the weather and made it out off Esquimalt. Waves out near the freighters were fine but the rain was relentless. Was figuring the suffering would be rewarded, but not to be. Only one little one to the boat and a couple of unscene pin poppers. Fair amount of bait on the bottom. I guess bottom of the ebb is not the time.

Some big crabs in the trap but all too soft.

 

[fishinforever]

Anyone have the scoop on April 1 regs?

 

[tinboatrobb]

What area. Area 19 regs have been out for a while now.

 

[scott craven]

Anyone have the scoop on April 1 regs?

Per the IFMP announcement (all 650 odd pages)
Area 19 one hatchery spring a day in April and May.
Unless DFO change their minds...

 

[fishinforever]

Thanks Scott, boats back in the water this week so we’ll see you out there!

 

[Iska]

anyone hit Constance yesterday? how was it if you did?
TIA

 

[Fisherben3]

anyone hit Constance yesterday? how was it if you did?
TIA

Constance was really slow yesterday

 

[trophy2302]

Per the IFMP announcement (all 650 odd pages)
Area 19 one hatchery spring a day in April and May.
Unless DFO change their minds...

Really? That’s awesome if that’s true. As far as I remember area 19 was closed last April and then had a mark selective fishery (MSF) for Chinook in May, one hatchery a day

 

[Original]

It was slow for me off Esq. on Sat. 9-1pm we had a nice 8 lb wild early on our troll out to the freighter but then it was only a few shakers and a small sole. Had 1big hard male dungy 1 red rock and 20 females. I used to use pork chops and seemed to not get the females. I’m gonna try that again next time out. Glad I stayed in the house today, please stop the rain now!

 

[scott craven]

Really? That’s awesome if that’s true. As far as I remember area 19 was closed last April and then had a mark selective fishery (MSF) for Chinook in May, one hatchery a day

13SPECIES SPECIFIC SALMON FISHING PLANS2025/26Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan–SouthernBCPage276Since 2020, the Department approved a small number of recreational Chinook mark-selectivefishery (MSF) opportunities, along with two new MSFs in 2023, that are planned to continue in2025/2026, pending the post-season review of the available fisheries information. Details can befound below inTable13-12.The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) provides new investments to support potentialimplementation of Chinook mass marking and mark-selective fisheries as part of an integratedmanagement approach. To advance this work, DFO sought input from FirstNations andstakeholders during a series of workshops that began in December 2022, leading to DFOsdevelopment ofAn Implementation Framework for Mark-Selective Fisheries for Southern BritishColumbia Chinook Salmon(draft MSF Framework). The Department iscurrently reviewingfeedback on the draft MSF Framework andconsidering next steps for MSF. Any specific MSFplans will be consulted on.The Department is also considering changes to gear (i.e., whatfishing hooks are permitted) during Chinook MSFs.

1. 

 

[Squire]

13SPECIES SPECIFIC SALMON FISHING PLANS2025/26Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan–SouthernBCPage276Since 2020, the Department approved a small number of recreational Chinook mark-selectivefishery (MSF) opportunities, along with two new MSFs in 2023, that are planned to continue in2025/2026, pending the post-season review of the available fisheries information. Details can befound below inTable13-12.The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) provides new investments to support potentialimplementation of Chinook mass marking and mark-selective fisheries as part of an integratedmanagement approach. To advance this work, DFO sought input from FirstNations andstakeholders during a series of workshops that began in December 2022, leading to DFOsdevelopment ofAn Implementation Framework for Mark-Selective Fisheries for Southern BritishColumbia Chinook Salmon(draft MSF Framework). The Department iscurrently reviewingfeedback on the draft MSF Framework andconsidering next steps for MSF. Any specific MSFplans will be consulted on.The Department is also considering changes to gear (i.e., whatfishing hooks are permitted) during Chinook MSFs.

1. 

This will be a terrible tease if it doesn’t manifest itself into an official fisheries notice soon. Anyone in the know have any idea where this is headed, if anywhere?

 

[A-a-Ron]

13SPECIES SPECIFIC SALMON FISHING PLANS2025/26Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan–SouthernBCPage276Since 2020, the Department approved a small number of recreational Chinook mark-selectivefishery (MSF) opportunities, along with two new MSFs in 2023, that are planned to continue in2025/2026, pending the post-season review of the available fisheries information. Details can befound below inTable13-12.The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) provides new investments to support potentialimplementation of Chinook mass marking and mark-selective fisheries as part of an integratedmanagement approach. To advance this work, DFO sought input from FirstNations andstakeholders during a series of workshops that began in December 2022, leading to DFOsdevelopment ofAn Implementation Framework for Mark-Selective Fisheries for Southern BritishColumbia Chinook Salmon(draft MSF Framework). The Department iscurrently reviewingfeedback on the draft MSF Framework andconsidering next steps for MSF. Any specific MSFplans will be consulted on.The Department is also considering changes to gear (i.e., whatfishing hooks are permitted) during Chinook MSFs.

1. 

I’ll only believe that when I see it in an official notice. The entire 17,18,19 with an MSF fishery all the way from April 1 - July 15?…

 

[Squire]

I’ll only believe that when I see it in an official notice. The entire 17,18,19 with an MSF fishery all the way from April 1 - July 15?…

I somewhat answered my own question with a bit of heavy reading: The table provided above by Scott Craven was in last year’s SIFMP as well. The caveat is that it then goes to FN’s, environmental groups, commercial and recreational groups for consultation. I don’t believe it is too cynical to suggest that I have listed them in order of influence or sway with the DFO.

 

[scott craven]

I’ll only believe that when I see it in an official notice. The entire 17,18,19 with an MSF fishery all the way from April 1 - July 15?…

No, that only applies to a small portion in the satellite chanel area.
19-1, 19-3, 19-4 is proposed for MSF April and May.
We'll see, they allowed it last year.

 

[Squire]

No, that only applies to a small portion in the satellite chanel area.
19-1, 19-3, 19-4 is proposed for MSF April and May.
We'll see, they allowed it last year.

Proposed by whom Scott? If the 2025/26 draft plan isn't really being considered in its entirety, is there a source for the abridged version that is actually up for discussion?
Not intending to put you on the spot specifically; just looking to be able to inform myself as to the process.

 

[scott craven]

Proposed by whom Scott? If the 2025/26 draft plan isn't really being considered in its entirety, is there a source for the abridged version that is actually up for discussion?
Not intending to put you on the spot specifically; just looking to be able to inform myself as to the process.

The excerpt I posted was taken from the IFMP measures.
I have no idea what DFO does with it and how they arrive at the regulations.
I know they accepted it last season and can only hope they will do so again.
(Sorry admin, this should really be in conservation)

 

[eroyd]

Went out off Victoria this morning to see if I could get that one last fish. Sea was ok but that Northwind was cold. Second pass of Brotchie got her done with a nice 9lb chinook. Heading back in towards the green can caught and released another a little smaller. Played around with plugs for a while but only got a little one. A large Spirit Spoon did the job. They were feeding on 6-7" herring.

 

[cby]

We are back in business DFO Just released the new FN0312

Area 19 (Victoria and Saanich Inlet)

Effective 00:01 hours April 1, 2025, until 23:59 hours May 31, 2025, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only.

These measures apply in the following waters:

Subareas 19-1, and 19-3 to 19-8.

Effective 00:01 hours June 1, 2025, until 23:59 hours July 31, 2025, the daily limit for Chinook is one (1) Chinook per day, hatchery marked only.

These measures apply in the following waters:

Subareas 19-7 and 19-8.

Reminder: The minimum size for Chinook is 45 cm in Subarea 19-1, 19-3, and 19-4. The minimum size for Chinook is 62 cm in Subareas 19-5 to 19-12.

 

[Sailfish25]

Solo at Oak bay flats after lunch today. Lines were not in the water for more than 10 mins.

120ft of water right on the bottom. 77cm / 12lb hatch.