Fishing Report Sponsored by Whatcom Counties Fishing PRO Shop.

 

Freshwater Fishing      Saltwater     BC, Canada

 

FISHING REPORT

May 5, 2011

By Ken Shagren, Fishing Pro Staff, Dave's Sports Shop 

"Remember to check the official WDFW regulations before going out!"

Welcome to the Dave’s Sports Shop fishing report. Check in with us as we attempt to keep you informed on where the fish are biting and what is working to catch them. We will try to keep the information current so that we can help you decide where the best opportunity for success will be located.

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON

FRESHWATER            

A large contingent of anglers descended on local lakes in Whatcom  county with moderate to good success despite rain and bone chilling conditions on opening day Saturday, April 30. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife creel census staff reported that Toad Lake was the most productive lake in Whatcom County with an average catch rate of 4.7 trout per angler which is close to a limit of 5 trout for all who put in the effort. Next in line for success was Lake Padden  with a 3.1 rainbow per rod average. Even though the conditions were rainy and cool, Silver Lake produced 2.8 fish per angler which was one more fish per pole than last year, but look for Silver Lake to improve as the water begins to get warmer. Representatives from Dave’s Sport Shop had great time supplying free hot coffee, cookies and Power Bait to the fishing faithful who braved the weather to kick off the season there.  

Successful fishers reported that a variety of  methods are fooling trout at local lakes. Shore bound anglers are having success with rainbow or other bright colored Power Baits. Worms are the second choice fished either under a bobber or floated off bottom. Those with access to a boat report trolling Wedding Ring spinners tipped with a worm, various small spoons and spinners or flies. Some of the more common flies include woolly buggers, egg sucking leaches, prop flies and green bugs.

There hasn’t been much to report on the bassing front. Look for small mouth bass to start biting in Lake Whatcom around pilings and other structure as the weather warms. Large mouth bass are starting to stir on Lake Terrell, Wiser Lake and Fazon, but warmer weather would help motivate the bite. Slowly fished dark colored worms and jigs are still the choice for the lethargic large mouths.

SALTWATER

Even though the blackmouth season came to a close on April 30, there are still halibut, lingcod, and shrimp opportunities in marine area 7. The halibut season runs from May 5-21 Thursday through Saturday only and May 26-29 Friday through Sunday with no minimum size and a one fish limit. The hook and line season for lingcod is May 1 to June 15. There is a slot size limit between 26 and 36 inches and there is a one fish limit. Finally, there will be an all species shrimp opening beginning with May 7 and including May 11, 13, 14, 25, and 28.

 

Dave’s Sport Shop is sponsoring a “Chinook Fishing Tactics” seminar given by northwest guide Nick Petosa on Saturday, May 21. We invite you to learn from a professional guide who concentrates on the Skagit River but also guides for kings on the Hoh, Sol Duc, and Kalama systems. The presentation will be given in the former Fairway Country Furnishings space at Fairway Center.

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

FRESHWATER

The Vedder River closed to gear fishing on April 30, but the river continues to be open to fly fishing below Vedder Crossing in May to catch and release only. With the late influx of steelies this would be a great year to give the month of May a try with the fly rod. Remember that licenses needed to be renewed on April 1.  Cutthroat fishing on the backwaters of the Fraser and Harrison rivers continues to improve. Small spinners are effective or use small nymphs, micro leaches, or minnow patterns if you are fly fishing.  Fraser River sturgeon are very active right now and fishing has been reported to be good with catches estimated in the 200 lb range reported. Sockeye parts, salmon eggs, smelt (eulichans), and night crawlers have been the best baits

Lower elevation lakes in the Fraser Valley Interior and  Kamloops area are now ice free with many now experiencing the annual turnover of the water column in which the top layer sinks and is replaced by the water beneath it. This event oxygenates the water and can affect clarity as well as spread fish out and make them more challenging to locate.  Its been noted that higher elevation lakes continue to have ice. Chironomid patterns are the choice of fly fishers in this area and wedding band spinners, small spoons or flatfish type lures are the choice of trollers.

                   

SALTWATER

The migratory early run of kings is now showing off the west coast of Vancouver Island. These fish are working their way toward Puget Sound, the Columbia River system and various other watersheds to the south. A good mix of migratory kings and local Blackmouth have been reported in the Barkely Sound area which includes both Ucluelet and Bamfield. Anchovies in chartreuse or green teaser heads, half and half silver and brass four inch spoons, and neon Coyote or Silver Horde spoons (specifically the “cop car” and “army truck” finishes) behind red and green glow flashers have been the common choices.  Weather is always a major factor here at this time of year. Expect the migratory push of large four and five year fish to begin in June and continue through August.

 

 

T/span>his Fishing Report is Sponsored by Dave's Sports Shop in Lynden. Check them out for all of your fishing and hunting needs. www.DavesSports.com

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