Fishing in Ucluelet
A nice Chinook salmon caught off Ucluelet.
Since the 1900s, Ucluelet has been one of Vancouver Island’s best salmon and halibut fishing hot spots. Today, fishing in Ucluelet draws anglers from Canada, the United States and beyond to the teeming waters of Vancouver Island’s west coast. Throughout the spring, summer and fall fishermen can tackle salmon, halibut, Ling cod and a whole assortment of bottom fish in Ucluelet’s rich waters.
Salmon Fishing in Ucluelet
Ucluelet is set on the western coast of Vancouver Island and is perfectly positioned to intercept waves of migrating salmon. Each year Chinook and Coho salmon storm south from Alaska and along Vancouver Island’s western coast towards their southern natal streams.
Ucluelet’s salmon fishing season begins in earnest in the spring, when early-run Chinook appear off the coast. As the summer progresses, the Chinook are joined by feisty Coho salmon and keep anglers working overtime.
Halibut Fishing in Ucluelet
Ucluelet’s fame as a fishing hot spot extends beyond salmon and Ucluelet’s halibut fishing grounds are some of the best in the world.
May through September is the best time to tackle halibut—that’s when they move into shallower water closer to shore. Halibut off Ucluelet’s coast usually average in the 20 to 40 lb. range but there are more than enough 100 lb. plus monsters out there to keep fishermen out late.
Anglers set off from Ucluelet’s Canadian Princess Resort.
Ucluelet Fishing Calendar
To help you plan your fishing trip, check out our fishing calendar to see the best times for each species. You can also download the Ucluelet fishing times in PDF format.
| Chinook salmon | Coho salmon | Pink salmon | Halibut | Cod | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | Many 5–15 lbs. |
Not yet | In odd-numbered years (e.g. 2007, 2009, 2011), there are millions of Pink salmon from 3–8 lbs. | Early season has the most and largest halibut, averaging 20–30 lbs. with some up to 150+ lbs. | Excellent Ling cod and Rock cod fishing all year long |
| May | 5–15 lbs. some to 30 lbs. |
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| June | 8–20 lbs. some to 35 lbs. |
Many 5–10 lbs. |
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| July | 10–20 lbs. some to 40+ lbs. |
Many 5–15 lbs. |
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| August | 5–15 lbs. some to 20 lbs. |
Good up to 100 lbs. |
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| September | 10–15 lbs. some to 30 lbs. |
5–15 lbs. some to 20+ lbs. |
Tapering off |
Canadian Princess Resort
Fish the teeming waters of Vancouver Island with the Canadian Princess’s guided trips—the best value on the coast.
