Many Species, All Kinds of Fun
Great Saltwater Fishing
Salmon fishing BC is world-class. Blackfish Lodge is in prime position to intercept the millions of migrating salmon that go through the bottleneck of British Columbia’s Inside Passage. Blackfish Lodge is situated to take full advantage of the presence of these fish.
Trolling is our method of choice and, year after year, our guests really appreciate how consistent our fishing remains. The area is also home to some excellent BC halibut fishing—some spots are within just a few minutes of the lodge. Our largest halibut topped out at 200 pounds!
When’s the best time to come salmon fishing in B.C.?
Best Time to Fish
When’s the best time to come salmon fishing in BC? Would you like to combine salmon and halibut fishing? Click here for a month-by-month description of our season.
Variety of Species
In addition to all types of Pacific salmon (chinook, coho, pink, sockeye, and chum), the area also produces large halibut, ling cod, snapper, and a variety of other saltwater species.
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Catch Limits
Equipment
Takeout Fish
The lodge’s maximum capacity is 4-6 adult guests
A Lodge guest scores big as Mom and Dad enjoy the moment
Catch Limits
Chinook salmon retention limits are managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in order to protect endangered Fraser River chinook salmon runs. These limits can sometimes change rapidly. Current limits are as follows:
April 16 – July 15: In certain limited areas, one chinook salmon per day, per person up to a total of two. Maximum size limit of 80 cm/31 inches. Catch and release, only, in other areas.
July 16 – August 15: Retention of one chinook salmon per day, per person is allowed up to a maximum size of 80 cm/31 inches. Each person is allowed to retain two chinook salmon, total.
August 16-August 31: Retention of one chinook salmon per day, per person is allowed, no maximum size limit. Each person is allowed to retain two chinook salmon, total.
September 1st and after: Retention of two chinook salmon per day, per person is allowed, no maximum size limit. Each person is allowed to retain four chinook salmon, total.
We encourage our guests to practice catch-and-release or, alternatively, only keep as many fish as you’ll need for food. Retention limits on other salmon species are unchanged. You can still retain two other salmon species per day, per person up to a total of four per person. These other four can be a combination of any other of the species. In order to protect some BC fish stocks, retention of wild coho has been limited, but for several years regulations have allowed for retention of one hatchery coho and one wild coho.
Currently, the halibut limit is one fish per guest if between 90 and 133 cm in length, or three halibut under 90 cm in length. Halibut over 133 cm in length must be released.
Equipment
Blackfish Lodge has one 21′ Grady-White and two 19′ open “Boston Whaler” type boats. Each boat is fully equipped with GPS, downrigger gear, depth sounders, and quiet, smokeless 4-cycle trolling motors. Personal floatation devices are provided for all guests.
The lodge has standard BC salmon fishing and halibut gear for all guests. Our typical setup is a 9’ mooching rod with a single action (a.k.a. “knucklebuster”) reel. However, if you have a favorite fishing setup, you’re welcome to bring it along. See the Things You Will Need section. All licenses, tackle, bait and fuel are included in our rates.
Halibut are a great catch throughout the season
Bringing Salmon Home?
Your catch will be cleaned, thoroughly washed, and freezer-stored to preserve optimal freshness.
Seattle: For guests departing to Seattle via floatplane, space limitations do not permit boxing your fish at the lodge. We do not have access to smoking or canning facilities nor do Fisheries and Oceans Canada allow us to do much in the way of preparation.
Seattle-bound, your fish will usually ride home in storage wells located in the floats of the airplane. Upon arrival in Seattle, there are fish boxes and ice packs for sale at the dock along with some folks who will assist you in packaging your fish for airline or surface transport to your home. If you’d like to have your fish processed in Seattle, we recommend that you drop your fish at the B & E Meats and Seafood Queen Anne store which is located midway between the Kenmore Air terminal and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. They can ship fish, domestically, to your home.
Vancouver: If traveling from Vancouver, via Port Hardy, we will pack your fish in boxes for your flights. Would you like your fish processed or smoked and sent to you? For guests traveling via Vancouver, at Vancouver Int’l Airport, you can drop your fish at the St. Jean’s Cannery and Smokehouse depot. Or, in Port Hardy, you can drop your fish off at Hardy Buoys. Both companies will ship fish to your home anywhere in N. America.
A fine father and son day
Mouth-watering fresh Coho filets
Below: A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins
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