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Thrilling Sport Fishing in British Columbia
Salmon Fishing
Salmon fishing is arguably the most thrilling form of sport fishing. When salmon sport fishing, the angler is ever waiting for that marvelous moment – a tug on the rod and the struggle begins. Blood pumping, muscles are strained as the reel is turned and turned and then – the reveal. A trophy salmon flails as its gills make contact with the open air.
Season
Salmon fishing season in Ucluelet, BC begins in late February and concludes in October. The run begins in Feb with the first of the Winter Springs starting to feed in local waters with the migratory not far behind it in April.
Top salmon fishing season around Vancouver Island runs approximately May to September. During this time, it is not unusual to "limit out" on salmon or halibut.
The Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby occurs alongside salmon fishing season. This Derby is a season-long competition where trophy salmon are weighed in to compete for cash prizes and inclusion in the huge season-end Fish Off, where huge cash prizes are awarded to winners.
Salmon Facts
- There are eight known types of salmon worldwide: Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Steelhead Salmon (Pacific Salmon).
- Seven types of salmon are indigenous to the Pacific Ocean: Chinook Salmon, Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Steelhead Salmon (Pacific Salmon), and Mahu salmon.
- Five types of salmon are indigenous to the waters surrounding Ucluelet, BC: Chinook Salmon, Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Sockeye Salmon.
- The most common salmon for BC salmon fishing are Chinook and Coho.
- Chinook salmon are considered trophy salmon and are in fact often also called King Salmon due to their size. Sometimes tipping the scales at over 70lbs! Chinook salmon are large and are copious in the waters surrounding British Columbia. Chinook salmon are populous in this area during the summer months, with the high season for angling running from May through September.
- Coho salmon also provide huge catches in British Columbia. Coho salmon peak later in the summer, with their most populous months running from July to September. The peak for Coho salmon is late August.
- Salmon are born in freshwater streams and rivers, and after birth make their way to salt water. However, once adults, they make their way back to the very same fresh water in which they were born, where they reproduce and die
- Chinook are copious during the summer months, with the high season for angling running from May through September. Coho peak later in the summer, with their most populous months running from July to September. The peak for Coho is late August.
The Salmon Lifecycle
The salmon life cycle is an amazing journey that repeats itself with every new generation. After being born upstream in fresh water, salmon migrate tens of thousands of miles into the ocean. After spending anywhere from 1-8 years at sea, they migrate back to their originating stream where their life began. Here the salmon spawning takes place; a beautiful ritual where the streams are packed with fish and the local wildlife such as bears and eagles are hungrily feeding off of the readily available fish.Chinook salmon (also known as Spring, King), Coho salmon, Pink salmon, Chum salmon and Sockeye salmon all make BC their home make their way through the waters of British Columbia.
MORE THAN SALMON...
Halibut Fishing
Who doesn't like eating halibut? This tasty fish can be real treat to catch, especially if you happen to land a big one. But be prepared for a battle. Halibut are strong and you will have your work cut out for you as fight to bring them into the boat.
Halibut fishing trips are a popular activity for those visiting Ucluelet. Big Bear Salmon Charters offers a rare opportunity to catch this giant, flat fish and to savor the meat that has been a staple in Ucluelet for centuries.
Halibut Season
Halibut fishing season in BC corresponds with salmon fishing season in BC and runs from May to September. Although halibut do not migrate large distances the way salmon do, the time for halibut fishing is the best in the summer months. This is because halibut generally spend winters in deep waters for spawning and migrate to shallower feeding waters in the summer months. It’s in these shallower waters that halibut fishing is able to occur.
Unlike salmon, halibut are not an aggressive fish. They are flat, diamond-shaped fish. Though some halibut reach incredible weights – some recorded upwards of five hundred pounds – the wild halibut encountered during halibut fishing are generally between twenty and forty-five pounds. Although halibut fishing is not as much a struggle as salmon fishing, many consider halibut to be a unique, exciting, and worthwhile catch.
A single halibut will often provide great deals of meat, and the meat from halibut is firm and delicious. Halibut is extremely versatile and can be broiled, fried, deep-fried, baked, or grilled.
Halibut Facts
- Halibut fishing season occurs in BC when halibut move from deep spawning waters to shallower feeding waters for the summer months.
- Halibut is the largest flat fish known to man.
- Halibut fishing often results in catches anywhere between twenty to forty pounds. However, there have been halibut caught up to 540 pounds!
- Halibut do not reproduce until they are eight, at which time they are thirty inches long. Therefore, all halibut caught on fishing charters must be at least thirty inches long.
- Fishing for halibut often results in great quantities of halibut meat for the angler. Halibut is a versatile fish and can be deep fried, fried, broiled, grilled, or baked.
- Halibut has a mild flavor and is therefore a perfect pair for many recipes that involve sauces, salsas, and seasonings.
