Esperanza Inlet & Nootka Sound Area Report
All GOOD NEWS!!! By now most of you have heard how GOOD the fishing is and from this point on it will just keep getting better and better.
If you have not heard the returns of Chinook, Coho & Sockeye Salmon are returning in record numbers to our Esperanza and Nootka waters.
If you have had any difficulty in the past catching Salmon this is your year to fill the freezer and have lots of salmon grilling on your barbeque.
How is that possible? For many years volunteer organizations have been working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans(DFO) to enhance salmon stocks in our local waters. Organizations such as Nootka Sound Water Shed Society, Tahsis Salmon Enhancement Society and others have been working tirelessly on stream and river rehabilitation, several local volunteer hatcheries, environmental issues related to salmon enhancement and fund raising to assist our local federal hatchery on the Conuma River to raise more salmon each year. The net result of all of these efforts has materialized into the largest runs of returning Salmon in over 50 years.
It goes well beyond the sheer volume of salmon which are returning to Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound. You will be catching more salmon because DFO has also been working with local volunteers from the Sport Fish Advisory Committee and Harvest Round Table Committee to loosen up the regulations to gain better access to the enhanced salmon stocks while at the same time protecting the none enhanced stocks.
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SPORT FISHING REGULATION CHANGES YOU WILL LIKE:
• In the past couple of seasons after July 15 in Esperanza Inlet retention of Chinook was Two per day under 77cm.
This season it will be Two Chinook per day, one over 77cm and one under 77cm from July 15 – Oct 15
The area open for 1 over/1 under will start at the mouth of Esperanza Inlet at the surfline and extend all the way into Hecate Inlet to the boundary of Tahsis Inlet at Mozino Pt.
• Approximately half of Hisnit Inlet (southeast portion) Located off Tlupana Inlet will be open to fishing. It has been previously closed.
• Kendrick Inlet, located on the west side of Strange Island, will be reopen to fishing this year.
• A portion of Hanna Channel will be opened to the east of last year’s boundary. East of Camel Rock over to Concepcion Pt.
• Zuciarte Channel will be reopened to fishing from the seaward south to the northern boundary at Anderson Pt.
• A larger part of Nesook Bay will be opened at the head of Tlupana Inlet
Before fishing check out the details on the DFO website
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/act-lois/index-eng.htm
It may A few days before this on the website as this was all just recently approved.
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This seasons Salmon fishing will the Best Ever in Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound. Add to that the projections of a significant portion of the Chinook are expected to be 4 and 5 year olds which means LOTS of TYEES (over 30lb) this year.
45.5lb & 32lb Chinook were on the Cleaning tables last Saturday June 21
So get out there and experience Salmon Fish/ Catching as you Dreamt it to be!!
Fish on John