Surrounded by the rich waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island is one of the largest populated islands in the world, and offers a range of landscapes: from dramatically rocky coastlines, sheltered bays, deep lakes, hills lined with vineyards to snow-capped mountains, ancient rainforests and the sandy, windswept beaches.
Vancouver Island is known worldwide for it’s fantastic freshwater and saltwater fishing. A fishing vacation on Vancouver Island can best be described as quality, varied and accessible. From Victoria, which was named the number 3 city in Canada by Condé Nast, in the south to the rugged fishing town of Port Hardy in the north and Ucluelet and Tofino on the west coast, you are never more than a few minutes away from quality angling opportunities and accommodating fishing lodges.
The west coast of Vancouver Island in particular offers very productive salmon and halibut fishing charters. West coast fishing guides will tell you that most of their guests catch their limit in chinook (king) salmon with fish weighing 20 pounds or more being the norm. It’s common for Vancouver Island fishing charters to go for both salmon and halibut in the same trip. You can also expect to catch ling cod and a variety of rock fish.
The best time to come to the west coast of Vancouver Island for salmon fishing is June through September. Though the chinook (king) salmon fishing may have slowed down in late summer and early fall, many welcomed runs of sockeye (red) salmon head into the region this that time of year. Late summer is also a better time to fish for coho (silver), chum and pink salmon.
Port Alberni is located midway to the west coast from the east coast and is nestled on a long inlet that reaches to the Pacific Ocean at Barkley Sound. The Alberni Inlet is renowned for its spectacular sockeye (red) salmon return in July. This fishery requires you to be on the water before dawn, but like they say, the early bird gets the worm (and their limit’s worth of delicious sockeye salmon!)
You can try your luck at landing a Tyee salmon off the east coast of the island near Campbell River. Tyee means “the Chief” in the region’s indigenous language and it the name given to salmon caught weighing 30 pounds or more. Salmon fishing lodges invite you to try to catch one of these trophy salmon to gain entry in the Tyee Club. The largest Tyee caught in the area to date weighed in at 61.5 pounds and was caught in 2013.
Vancouver Island’s southern peninsula enjoys a long season of salmon and halibut fishing. With easy runs to the fishing grounds and consistent fishing nearly all year long, this area has become one of BC’s best-kept Salmon fishing secrets. In late summer and early fall, inshore boat fishing for coho (silver), pink and chum (dog) salmon are also available. These can be targeted by a variety of techniques, including fly fishing, lure casting, jigging and trolling.
For freshwater fishing, hundreds of lakes, streams and rivers throughout Vancouver Island offer steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and Kokanee. Gold River, Stamp River and Cowichan River are favourites of anglers and are all accessible by car. The island’s moderate temperatures mean many of the lakes and rivers never freeze, providing year-round angling, much of it easily accessible.
Ancient Forests Meet Long Beaches
While you’re visiting Vancouver Island for your fishing vacation, be sure to make some time to visit the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This national park is one of Canada’s greatest treasures and is made up of three separate units: Long Beach Unit, Broken Group Islands and the West Coast Trail Unit.
The Long Beach section is easily accessible by car and is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island between the villages of Ucluelet and Tofino. After your west coast salmon and halibut fishing charter, take a drive out to Long Beach and enjoy over 16 kilometres of wild and virtually untouched beach! Pack a picnic lunch, go beachcombing, learn about the regions rich history and culture at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and see giant old growth cedars and Douglas firs on one of the many walking trails in the park.
The Broken Group Islands is an archipelago of islands located in Barkley Sound. Accessible from the villages of Bamfield and Ucluelet, the Broken Group Islands is a world-renowned sea kayaking destination offering hundreds of islands, rocky inlets, sandy beaches and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.
The West Coast Trail stretches 75 kilometres from Bamfield to Port Renfrew. As one of the most famous backpacking routes in Canada, this multi-day trial takes hikers along temperate rainforest, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, caves, sea arches and beaches.
Trip Request #336: Group of 4 hoping to spend 5 days catching salmon and grayling in Alaskan rivers this summer!
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Trip Request #336 | fishlodges.com
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Group of 4 hoping to spend 5 days catching salmon and grayling in Alaskan rivers this summer!Comment on Facebook
Trip Request #335: Group of 4 seeking mid-summer, all-inclusive, Alaska saltwater fishing trip—salmon, rockfish, halibut & lingcod!
Does your lodge have availability? fishlodges.com/trip-request/trip-request-335/
Post your own request for a fishing lodge vacation in the northwest: fishlodges.com/request-trip/ ... See MoreSee Less
Trip Request #335 | fishlodges.com
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Group of 4 seeking mid-summer, all-inclusive, Alaska saltwater fishing trip—salmon, rockfish, halibut & lingcod!Comment on Facebook
Fishing lodges in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska offer the adventurous fly fisherman some of most amazing fishing opportunities in North America. Alaska’s Bristol Bay is home to the world’s largest salmon run. This sprawling watershed of winding streams and rivers, vast wetlands and tundra, forests of alder and spruce, is referred to as “America’s Fish Basket” because it is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. All five species of Pacific salmon—sockeye, king, silver, chum, and pink—spawn and rear in the Bristol Bay watershed, supporting wildlife like brown bears and eagles, as well as human industry and culture.
From rustic fishing camps that are all about hardcore fishing to luxurious off-the-grid lodges, like everywhere in Alaska there is a good selection of fishing lodges in Bristol Bay. With so many options for catching salmon in Bristol Bay as well as rainbow trout, steelhead, cutthroat trout or any of the numerous species available), we poured through our directory of Bristol Bay fishing lodges and compiled a list of the top 10 best fishing lodges in Bristol Bay by analyzing:
- uniqueness
- customer ratings
- quality of food, accommodations, boats and gear
- value for the money
- reputation
- customer service
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The Top 10 Best Fishing Lodges in Bristol Bay, Alaska | fishlodges.com
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There are several rivers that flow into the Bristol Bay that receive abundant runs of salmon. Here's our guide to the best fishing lodges in Bristol Bay, Alaska.Comment on Facebook
Becharof Rapids Camp- Sport Fishing in Alaska Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge, Alagnak River, Bristol Bay, Alaska Angler's Alibi Alaska Kingfishers Alaska Rainbow Adventures - Wilderness Alaska Float Fishing Trips River King Outfitters Alaska's Bearclaw Lodge Jakes Nushagak Salmon Camp Alagnak Lodge King Salmon Outfitters Thanks for being among the best in Bristol Bay!
Trip Request #334: Retiree BC couple seeks 8+ days of fly fishing and spin casting in Central/Northern BC rivers or just offshore.
Does your lodge have availability? fishlodges.com/trip-request/trip-request-334/
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Trip Request #334 | fishlodges.com
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Retiree BC couple seeks 8+ days of fly fishing and spin casting in Central/Northern BC rivers or just offshore.Comment on Facebook
If the border remains closed this summer, there are more chances for British Columbians to experience some of the best salmon fishing at places like Coastal Springs Float Lodge. fishlodges.com/lodge/coastal-springs-float-lodge/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Trip Request #333: Pair of anglers seeking a 3-night Alaskan King salmon and halibut fishing adventure.
Does your lodge have availability? fishlodges.com/trip-request/trip-request-333/
Post your own request for a fishing lodge vacation in the northwest: fishlodges.com/request-trip/ ... See MoreSee Less
Trip Request #333 | fishlodges.com
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Pair of anglers seeking a 3-night Alaskan King salmon and halibut fishing adventure.Comment on Facebook