I'm trying to decide between heading to either kitimat or bella coola. I live in Quesnel so its pretty similiar to drive to either location, im just wondering which one would be better for producing big springs in the next week. I have heard mixed reviews about both locations, a lot of people saying you have to drive 30-40 miles out the channels to find big springs which makes no sense considering they both have spawning rivers right at the town. If anyone has info on these two areas it would be a great help to me. My boat is only 19 ft long so i dont want to head to far out if i dont have to. Thanks guys.
too early for bella coola?
- Thread starter serickson
- Start date
Fisher_dude
Crew Member
I fished Bella coola a lot growing up. Even worked up on the lower dean lodge for a few years. Big springs move into the dean at the start of July and run through into august. The Bella coola springs have been a hit and miss thing for the past few years. The spring always run in there early July but not to sure how the stocks are doing anymore. I would hit terrace personally.
bigdogeh
Well-Known Member
I've been to Bella Coola this time of year. too early imo. yes you'd have to travel out of the channel to open water to do well. I'd go another hr from Terrace and head to Prince Rupert. Should be able to target them there. weather might be a bit nicer rain wise in Bella Coola though. but will be sterile of springs... Prince Rupert you should be able to target them in close. would be prob a bit better farther out toward the work channel, dundas or tip of stephans island... but at least they should be around.
Thanks for the info guys. I'll head out next month i guess. Luckily i do shift work so i get 2 weeks off every month. If the bella coola region has been hit and miss i think i'll go to kitimat, heard its a pretty solid run. I might try rupert again, but i've never been to kitimat and always like to check out new areas.
early for everything, but ur best bet is rupert. anytime after mid may u can have exceptional fishing. You could also go out there and not see a chinook. Thats fishing right? as for bella coola i cant comment too much as i havnt fished there but i do know its a later fishery then the early chinooks that hit the skeena and kitimat systems. The douglas may be ur best bet with a smaller boat coming from the comfort side, as u can fish there in any wind. Kitimat gets a good run early in June and u can get some great fishing anytime in the salt after mid may but it can be hit and miss. If you don't mind more open water i would def go PR as i think you have a better chance at springs out there.
directmule
Member
My choice would be out of Kitimat but that's my thinking. There are a couple of
marinas in Kitimat
MK Bay Marina, they have just about everything a boater would need and they do
have a few non serviced RV sites.
Phone 1 250 632-6401
E -mail info@mkbaymarina.com
Kitimaat Village Marina ran by the Haisla First Nation, band office phone #
1 250 639-9361 or toll free 1 888 842-4752
We fished the Caamano Sound, Campania Sound & Whale Channel area for three
years back in 2005/06/07, went up at the end of May for a week and always did good.
We went out with St. John's Fishing, which are no longer operating but had good fishing.
If you leave Kitimat, it's 48 miles out the Douglas Channel to Hartley Bay, they have gas &
diesel etc. I've never stayed there but there is the "Squirrel's Den Inn" if you want to get
ahold of them for prices, moorage, etc. contact:
Clare Hill
Phone - 1 250 841-2727
Cel - 778 884-6775
E-Mail - haeisclarehill@mac.com
Thought about a trip out that way myself and the only thing holding me back is the two
day trip (822 miles) up and back home to Chilliwack but for you out of Quesnel, it's
only a 470 mile trip each way. End of May / first two weeks in June should be hot
fish wise in that area.
marinas in Kitimat
MK Bay Marina, they have just about everything a boater would need and they do
have a few non serviced RV sites.
Phone 1 250 632-6401
E -mail info@mkbaymarina.com
Kitimaat Village Marina ran by the Haisla First Nation, band office phone #
1 250 639-9361 or toll free 1 888 842-4752
We fished the Caamano Sound, Campania Sound & Whale Channel area for three
years back in 2005/06/07, went up at the end of May for a week and always did good.
We went out with St. John's Fishing, which are no longer operating but had good fishing.
If you leave Kitimat, it's 48 miles out the Douglas Channel to Hartley Bay, they have gas &
diesel etc. I've never stayed there but there is the "Squirrel's Den Inn" if you want to get
ahold of them for prices, moorage, etc. contact:
Clare Hill
Phone - 1 250 841-2727
Cel - 778 884-6775
E-Mail - haeisclarehill@mac.com
Thought about a trip out that way myself and the only thing holding me back is the two
day trip (822 miles) up and back home to Chilliwack but for you out of Quesnel, it's
only a 470 mile trip each way. End of May / first two weeks in June should be hot
fish wise in that area.
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