Herring Season On The Horizon: A Look at 2025 Stocks & Fishing Tips

Herring Spawn Pipers Lagoon Vancouver Island (Photo: James Moxley Photography)

The herring spawn is pretty much here, with fish gathering in spawning grounds throughout March and April depending on water temperatures. Let’s dive into the latest stock assessments and explore some effective herring fishing techniques.

Herring Stock Updates

Haida Gwaii: While showing some improvement, the Haida Gwaii stock remains a concern, with all management plans failing to meet conservation objectives.

Prince Rupert: Good news for Prince Rupert! The stock is forecast to reach some of the highest abundances seen in decades, dating back to the early 1950s.
Central Coast: The central coast stock has declined from its 2020 peak and remains in the cautious zone. However, it still exceeds the reference point and is comparable to recent years.

West Coast: Excellent news! The west coast saw a significant jump in spawning herring last year, and the forecast for 2025 is very promising, with the highest estimates in over 40 years.

Strait of Georgia: This stock remains healthy, with last year’s spawn showing a slight increase.

Pipers Lagoon and Shack Island herring spawn (Photo: James Moxley Photography)

Herring Fishing Tips

Whether you’re fishing for bait or for the table, here are a few tips to increase your success:

Target the Schools: Focus your efforts on areas feeding fish.

Gear Up: A light action rod paired with a sabiki rig (multiple hooks) is a classic and effective setup for catch multiple herring at once.

Shoreline Opportunities: Productive shore fishing spots include piers, jetties, rock ledges, and breakwaters.

Boat-based Methods: If fishing from a boat, cons using dip nets, herring rakes, or throw nets.

For an in-depth read on Vancouver Island herring fishing, click here.

For details on the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Herring Research, click here.