Fresh Nanaimo Fishing Reports

Weather Forecast, Nanaimo

Fishing Seasons & Latest Fishing Photos

Fresh Fishing Reports from Nanaimo

Adrenaline Ruch, Salmon Fishing, Nanaimo
Adrenaline Ruch, Salmon Fishing, Nanaimo
January 23, 2025
Adrenaline Rush, Salmon Fishing, Nanaimo B.C. The adrenaline rush for me usually starts the night before. After all these years, sleep still comes slowly as I lay awake contemplating where I’ll be going and what I’ll be using. Awakened by my alarm the next morning, I am greeted by a bright orange sunrise. Oh ya, another day in paradise! Dressing in my winter woollies, I grabbed a coffee and drove down to the docks where my trusted steed awaited. Thirty minutes later, I was on my way with four enthusiastic quests eager to embark on a new adventure in life. After dropping a crab pot, we motored out to the fishing grounds. Ten minutes in, we had our first fish to the boat. Just shy of the legal limit, we released it and doubled back. When the rod went off this time, I knew we were into a better fish. Handing the rod over to an experienced angler, it was all smiles all the way in. A beautiful 75 cm Chinook. “Largest fish so far this season” I said to my group. What I didn’t know…, it was about to get better. A little over an hour later, the port side rod went off. I knew it was something big when it hit, popped the clip, and was off on a tear. “Fish on” I cried! With the rod doubled over, it was the usual deep down head shaking madness followed by a short run halfway to the boat and then another short run right beside the boat. Finally, she was in the net. Wow, a beauty measuring 76 cm’s. “My heart was beating like crazy” said the women once the fish was aboard. Yep, I thought to myself. Its something I have often heard my guests say after fighting one of these incredible fish. They truly can be an adrenaline rush. We boxed one more fish that morning before heading back to retrieve the crab pot full of Dungeness. What a day! What a gift! As their first Westcoast salmon adventure, it was an exhilarating experience. I am sure it will not be their last.
Continue reading
Great Fishing Continues in Nanaimo
Great Fishing Continues in Nanaimo
January 12, 2025
A Pot of Gold and A Cooler of Fish More and more, I hear my guests talk about the beauty of British Columbia when they see it from the water. This past Sunday, January 12, it was the stunning skyscapes that captivated us. The forecast had been for a sunny day with light winds. A favorable combo for my 4 guests who hailed from Saskatchewan. Instead, it was windy with a unique mixture of storm clouds above us while to the east snow-covered mountains gleamed in the clear skies of the morning sun. Unsettling yet stunning at the same time! We even managed to see a rainbow (you can just make it out in the first photo). And you know what they say about rainbows, there is always a pot of gold on the other side. We were not disappointed! The action that morning started off slow. Nothing for the first 45 minutes. And then, almost as if someone turned on a switch, the bite came on. And what a bite! Winter chinook fishing in January typically means weeding through several fish before hooking a good one. Not this time. Most of the fish were well over the legal size limit. We even landed two that topped the tapes at 70 cm. Astonishingly, only two and a half hours into the trip, we had a cooler full of fish. Then, as abruptly as the bite turned on, it turned off again. No matter. A good time was had by all! It's been said that nothing lasts forever. But that morning, we left with amazing memories. Much needed medicine in a world of change and challenge. My guests assured me they’d be back for more.
Continue reading

Nanaimo Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

What anglers said about fishing in Nanaimo

The winter fishing is slower but less crowded and the scenery is amazing with snow capped mountains on the Island and Mainland and whales frolicking in the bay if you are lucky. Dress warmly with layers
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The winter fishing is slower but less crowded and the scenery is amazing with snow capped mountains on the Island and Mainland and whales frolicking in the bay if you are lucky. Dress warmly with layers
Getter Done Charters Nanaimo winter season
Getter Done Charters Nanaimo winter season
Fantastic guide, what an awesome experience. My sons had a great time and we caught a ton of fish! Definitely wasn’t expecting to reel in 18 salmon that morning!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fantastic guide, what an awesome experience. My sons had a great time and we caught a ton of fish! Definitely wasn’t expecting to reel in 18 salmon that morning!
Getter Done Charters Nanaimo winter season
Getter Done Charters Nanaimo winter season
Make sure to wear a hat or sunglasses, it is quite bright. Because we did a morning trip we wore pants and a sweater, it was definitely a good thing. Dressing in layers / bringing clothes for weather changes is recommended. Make sure you have some snacks just in case, you can get hungry spending time in the outdoors. Water is also a must. Have fun! Regardless of how many bites you get or how many legal fish you pull in, just enjoy the day, it's a great experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure to wear a hat or sunglasses, it is quite bright. Because we did a morning trip we wore pants and a sweater, it was definitely a good thing. Dressing in layers / bringing clothes for weather changes is recommended. Make sure you have some snacks just in case, you can get hungry spending time in the outdoors. Water is also a must. Have fun! Regardless of how many bites you get or how many legal fish you pull in, just enjoy the day, it's a great experience.
Lazydayz Charters & Adventures
Lazydayz Charters & Adventures
It was nice to wait until the Chinook were in season so we could take one home for dinner. The weather was great, but layers are a must. Go with a good captain, like Captain Turk.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was nice to wait until the Chinook were in season so we could take one home for dinner. The weather was great, but layers are a must. Go with a good captain, like Captain Turk.
Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours Dayton, OH
If you want to keep your limit, go after July 14. But there is a lot of good fun out there!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you want to keep your limit, go after July 14. But there is a lot of good fun out there!
Lazydayz Charters & Adventures
Lazydayz Charters & Adventures Toronto, ON
Definitely go in June, the fish are biting like crazy! Nice weather as well.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Definitely go in June, the fish are biting like crazy! Nice weather as well.
Unreel Fishing Charters
Unreel Fishing Charters Calgary, Alberta
In Colorado we don't have fish this big. My son and I caught 8-10 lb fish right at the start. Very fun.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
In Colorado we don't have fish this big. My son and I caught 8-10 lb fish right at the start. Very fun.
Salmon City Charters
Salmon City Charters Denver, CO