The fishing Comox has in store is a year-round adventure! Nestled on the banks of the Strait of Georgia, this area was called kw'umuxws by the First Nations, which means plentiful. And the fishing here certainly is plentiful indeed! Comox has great Chinook Salmon fishing at all times, including a feeder population as well as migrating fish that travel up the Campbell River.
The Comox Valley has some of the most pristine waters in the world, which makes it a great place for whale-watching tours or cold-water diving. In between your Salmon fishing trips, you can also go snowshoeing, try out biathlon, or take a helicopter tour and have a stunning, aerial view of the area.
Which trip should I choose?
Since Comox has a great location, you can easily reach productive fishing spots, both on half day and full day trips. It only depends on how much time you want to spend on the water.
Previous fishing experience is always a plus, but not essential. Comox fishing trips are novice-friendly, so don’t be discouraged if you’re not skilled with a rod.
What can I catch?
Chinook Salmon is truly the king of the area. This fish can be caught year-round, especially during winter, when some other migratory species are nowhere to be seen. You’ll usually troll with herring, sardines, or squid-like lures called hootchies. The second traditional technique is called mooching and it involves drifting a dead or live herring beneath the boat.
Halibut fishing and crabbing are available year-round, while most other species show up in huge numbers in June and stick around till the end of the year. Some of them are Pink, Coho, Chum, and Sockeye Salmon, as well as Lingcod.
Getting There
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By plane – The Comox Valley Airport is only 3 miles away from the Comox marina. There are daily flights from Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
- By ferry – The easiest way is to get to Departure Bay or Duke Point in Nanaimo by ferry and proceed to Comox by car (70 miles apart).
Need to Know
Fisheries in Canada are divided into Areas and each of them has its own fishing regulations. Comox falls in area 14, so make sure you’re familiar with fish quotas for this area before your trip.
What to Bring
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A fishing licence – Everyone fishing in British Columbia needs to have a valid fishing licence. You can get it online, from the Canadian National Recreational Licensing System. You’ll also need a Tidal Licence for saltwater fishing and a Salmon Conservation Stamp if you want to keep any Salmon you catch.
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Layered clothing – even if you’re fishing in the summer, bring something with long sleeves. It gets chilly when the fog rolls in.
- A camera – The Comox Valley scenery is breathtaking and is sure to awaken the photographer in everyone. You’ll also want to take a photo of your fish, especially when you catch your biggest Salmon yet!
Fishing in Comox, BC is a one of a kind experience, not only for the ones that love to fish but also for the ones that simply want to enjoy nature. Explore British Columbia as never before!