2026 Nanaimo Reports

[JWS]

Not sure what everyone else's experience is so far since prawns re-opened but myself and 4 other reliable sources have experienced or reported brutal results in numerous traditional hotspots in area 17. This completely contradicts a very strong prawn fishery in these same areas before it closed on January 1st.

These are all areas that traditionally have had very strong results this time of year and we are talking across the board results of less than 25% of normal (or worse) between 3 different spots many miles apart over several trips spaced out since things reopened.

WTF is going on?

I’m seeing the same thing you are, as are the many others I’ve talked to since April 1.

 

[Brockandahardplace]

Not sure what everyone else's experience is so far since prawns re-opened but myself and 4 other reliable sources have experienced or reported brutal results in numerous traditional hotspots in area 17. This completely contradicts a very strong prawn fishery in these same areas before it closed on January 1st.

These are all areas that traditionally have had very strong results this time of year and we are talking across the board results of less than 25% of normal (or worse) between 3 different spots many miles apart over several trips spaced out since things reopened.

WTF is going on?

We were out a week ago and pulled a real forest gump (pre hurricane). Almost had a shrimp cocktails worth

 

[chille51]

Not sure what everyone else's experience is so far since prawns re-opened but myself and 4 other reliable sources have experienced or reported brutal results in numerous traditional hotspots in area 17. This completely contradicts a very strong prawn fishery in these same areas before it closed on January 1st.

These are all areas that traditionally have had very strong results this time of year and we are talking across the board results of less than 25% of normal (or worse) between 3 different spots many miles apart over several trips spaced out since things reopened.

WTF is going on?

Only been out once this month and it was pretty abysmal. But I am no expert and don't have any previous experience this time of year to compare too. I only got set up for prawning this past fall. But same places and same tactics that got me limits in November got me a grand total of 14 prawns last time I was out.

 

[J-ROC]

Yes agreed, not sure what happened, was thinking that they maybe moved inshore a bit to consume herring spawn? not sure if that's a thing but hopefully things perk up a little. Even some spots in area 17, I was fishing earlier in the year ( of the couple that remained open) with reasonable catches in most of my traps have dropped off significantly since April 1. I have heard WC has been decent for prawns. Not to mention how frustrating it is to have Chinook Close on the day prawning opens. WTH. That said, anyone heard of any/many fish around the Tent island area chinook opening?

 

[JWS]

Yes agreed, not sure what happened, was thinking that they maybe moved inshore a bit to consume herring spawn? not sure if that's a thing but hopefully things perk up a little. Even some spots in area 17, I was fishing earlier in the year ( of the couple that remained open) with reasonable catches in most of my traps have dropped off significantly since April 1. I have heard WC has been decent for prawns. Not to mention how frustrating it is to have Chinook Close on the day prawning opens. WTH. That said, anyone heard of any/many fish around the Tent island area chinook opening?

I fished tent on Sunday. A few shakers to the boat. Probably about a dozen boats or so, no action that we saw.

 

[Olde School]

I’m seeing the same thing you are, as are the many others I’ve talked to since April 1.

FWIW the same is happening in Alberni.