The Sport Fishing Season

Chinook Salmon Fishing

B.C. is known the world over as the ultimate Salmon fishing destination. Prince Rupert is located in between two of the worlds greatest Salmon producing river systems, the Nass River to the north, and the famed Skeena River to the south, making it the prime Salmon fishing destination. These rivers produce all five of the Pacific Ocean’s species of Salmon. Prince Rupert’s fishing season begins in May, when the Chinook Salmon migration begins. Also known as Spring or King Salmon, these are the prize fish for any Sport fisherman. Chinook Salmon are extremely powerful, and the largest of the Pacific Salmon. The world record sport caught Chinook Salmon came from the mighty Skeena River, just south of Prince Rupert, and weighed just shy of one hundred pounds. An average weight to expect is between twenty and thirty pounds, and at this weight you will be amazed by their power. If you are lucky enough to tie into a Chinook over thirty pounds, known in the sport fishing world as a Tyee, you are in for an incredible fight that will put a smile on your face, and an ache in your arms. These Salmon don’t give up, so it’s a battle of length and persistence. You will see why they are known as King Salmon!

Coho Salmon Fishing

The next to arrive are the exciting, acrobatic Coho Salmon. Also known as Silvers, the Coho salmon arrive in mid June. These fish are stunning, and there beauty is matched only by their exciting aerial battle, as they leap high in the air to throw a hook. Coho Salmon are ferocious predators. When they start to show up, Coho average around seven pounds, but as the summer goes on, they will gain about a pound a week, and eat just about anything that moves! In there last six weeks in the Pacific Ocean they will double in weight in order to bulk up for there incredible journey up the mighty Nass and Skeena Rivers. Later in the summer, Trophy Coho up to twenty five pounds have been taken in the waters around Prince Rupert. Strong Coho Salmon runs provide non stop action! Great numbers allow for Salt Water Fly Fishing and Catch and Release opportunities. On light fly rods, ocean Coho have become a great targeted species for Fly Fishing enthusiasts.

Pink & Chum Salmon

Also in late June, Pink and Chum Salmon show their presence on their way to the Nass and Skeena Rivers. Pink Salmon are not as sought after as the other mentioned Salmon, but will provide exciting action, especially for youngsters. They average around six pounds, and put on a good show. Chum Salmon on the other hand are great fighters, and average around fourteen pounds, but can weigh as much as thirty pounds. There fight is like a cross between a Chinook Salmon and a Coho Salmon. Chum Salmon will jump, dive, and run to throw a hook, and they can be as bright as a dime when caught in the ocean. Great for photo opportunities.

Sockeye Salmon Fishing

The last of the Pacific Salmon to arrive in the waters around Prince Rupert is the elusive Sockeye Salmon. Also known as Red Salmon, these delicious Salmon are nearly impossible to target, and caught on a rod merely by fluke in our waters. If you are lucky enough to catch one, they are beautiful, and make for a great photo! They average around six pounds, and are mainly plankton eaters, so it is hard to mimic what they are eating.

Giant Pacific Halibut

Prince Rupert boasts some of the best Halibut fishing in the world. Halibut are available all throughout our fishing season. The structure, and nutrient rich waters around Prince Rupert, known as Chatham Sound are home to great numbers of these powerful bottom dwellers. Halibut are truly bizarre creatures! Halibut start their life swimming upright like other fish, then lay over on their side, and their bottom eye migrates over to the top side of their head. Halibut lay flat on the bottom, with their two eyes pointing up, waiting in ambush for any prey to swim by. Halibut are the largest sport fish of the North Pacific Ocean, some weighing as much as five hundred pounds. The average weight is twenty to twenty five pounds. Halibut over one hundred pounds are typically females, and full of eggs. Female Halibut are very important to our industry, and should be considered for release, after a few photos. Ultimately the decision whether to retain or release such a fish is completely up to the guest, but careful consideration should be taken with such an important fish. Also, the smaller halibut are much better table fish, and the larger halibut tend to have a tougher texture, and are not as tasty as the smaller Halibut.