Find out what’s working and what’s not when fishing in the Kyuquot area on Northern Vancouver Island. Fishing tips, best practices, places, and the go-to lures are just a sample of what you’ll find in our fishing report.
Kyuquot Marine Weather Forecast
Kyuquot Fishing Report
Kyuquot Fishing Regulations Area 26/126
June 2025 Kyuquot Fishing Report
Long-time readers of Island Fisherman magazine might remember Sea Otter Lodge from about 8 years ago, when we first wrote the Kyuquot Area Reports. We’re pleased to return as reporters once again. Sea Otter Lodge is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the remote community of Kyuquot. Our family has lived in Kyuquot since the early 1960s—we’re loggers and fishermen. In the winter, we manage a woodlot in Kyuquot, and we’ve worked in both the commercial and sports fisheries. Since 2005, we’ve welcomed guests for unique adventure and fishing holidays. Although Kyuquot is off the beaten path, the journey is well worth it—the fish are plentiful and the people are few.
Kyuquot is also famous for being part of the ‘Super Salmon Highway’. The continental reef that runs along the entire west coast of Vancouver Island comes closest to shore right here in Kyuquot Sound. That means some of the very best fishing grounds in British Columbia are just minutes from the village. To the north of Kyuquot lies Brooks Peninsula, a massive land outcropping that acts as a natural fish trap. Salmon, cod, and halibut come in from the deep cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, hit the shallow bait-rich continental reef, and run along the reef like a highway straight into Kyuquot Sound. Once here, they don’t leave Kyuquot because the massive Brooks Peninsula blocks further travel. Cod, halibut, and salmon stay all summer in the rocks, reefs, and gravel shoals that teem with bait fish. The natural currents in Kyuquot also provide ideal feeding and resting zones, encouraging the fish in the area to stay longer, eager to feed and bite hooks. As a result, anglers here often reach their daily limits.
June is a great fishing month in Kyuquot. The weather is generally stable, and the inside waters down the inlets near Rugged Point and White Cliffs at Union Island are all open. Chinook have arrived, making Grassy Island, Thorton Island, Spring Island, and the Kyuquot Reef exciting fishing spots. Other great June fisheries are cod, halibut, and prawns.
Some new gear we’re trying this June is based on recommendations by Dane Christensen from The Harbour Chandler. For salmon, we’re using Silver Horde Trash Can spoons, spoons by Michigan Stinger, HC Custom Raspberry Gold flashers, and Yellow Green Mist Big Shooter Flashers by Oki. For lingcod, we’re eager to try Gibbs Paddle Tails, Lighthouse Mega Bites, and Lighthouse Max Shads. Dane’s favourites are usually a good tackle bet. Lingcod is our favourite fish to eat, so we’re hoping to catch lots.
Two exciting events this year in Kyuquot are Kayak Fish Kyuquot and the Women’s Fishing Derby. Sea Otter Lodge is the first lodge in British Columbia to offer all-inclusive kayak fishing holidays. We are kick-starting our kayak fishing program with a big event that will bring professional kayak anglers from all over North America to Kyuquot. Rugged Point Lodge is hosting its 6th annual Women’s Derby from June 20–23, 2025. This year’s theme is the Wild West—so bring your best cowgirl gear and giddy-up to Kyuquot to catch big fish. The derby is hugely popular, so if you’d like to participate in 2026, give Rugged Point Lodge a call soon to book your spot for next year!
Written by Skip Plensky, Sea Otter Lodge
Skip & Susan Plensky
www.seaotterlodgebc.com
Kyuquot, BC
Susan’s cell: 778-585-7831
Skip’s cell: 250-702-7690
Lodge: 250-332-5377
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Featured Catch
Joel Unickow halibut (Photo: Rob Frawley Lucky Strike Sportfishing Tofino)
