Fall is when the Fall Salmon fishing season on Vancouver Island goes into overtime. It is a time of calm and quiet after the hustle of the summer ocean fishing season is over and before the big rains of October or November arrive. The island is blessed with many local salmon runs returning home to a multitude of rivers and creeks. Best of all, the opportunities for Fall Salmon fishing in 2026 can be better than current ocean salmon regulations allow.

How to Target Vancouver Island Pink Salmon

The first fish to arrive in early August are the pink salmon. They first appear in northern rivers like the Quinsam and the Campbell, and then in southern areas like Nile Creek. These small salmon are plentiful and a great opportunity for beginning fishermen to enjoy Fall Salmon fishing without a boat.

Pink salmon are easy to catch on a fly or with small casting lures. Try pink or chartreuse flies or wool and casting spoons. L’il Nib makes a small pink casting jig that is particularly effective; it has the correct-sized single hook legally required for the Nanaimo fishery.

Fall Salmon Fishing for Vancouver Island Coho

The coho arrive a bit after the pinks. In late August and into September, they begin to school up near the rivers and small creeks along both sides of Vancouver Island. This is a particularly glorious fishery and is considered by many to be the highlight of the Fall Salmon fishing year.

Beach coho fishing in solitude is a thrilling event. Grice Bay near Tofino is a favorite place to be when the coho are running. Flies and casting spoons remain very effective; brass, gold, orange, and purple are generally the top colors. Koho spoons, Crocs, and twitching jigs will all elicit strikes.

The 2026 season looks like a particularly good coho year. We are seeing larger and more numerous fish than in several decades. Due to hatchery volunteer efforts, clipped fish are plentiful, allowing Georgia Strait fishermen to easily take a pair of fresh silver coho per trip as part of their Fall Salmon fishing adventure.

Fall Chinook Salmon: River Tactics

Freshwater Chinook provide excellent fights if targeted early in their run. While their colour shifts toward “black boots” as they enter natal waters, they remain excellent table fare if caught early. If a female is taken, the opportunity to harvest delicious salmon roe (Ikura) is a major benefit of late-season Fall Salmon fishing. Vancouver Isalnd (Region 1) Fresh Water Regulations here.

For these heavy hitters, use at least 20-lb test line (like SpiderWire braid) and a good fluorocarbon leader. The best lures for Chinook are spinners rather than casting spoons. Use Red Mepps Flying C, Blue Fox, or Prime Lures’ black and silver spinners.

With reduced Chinook opportunities in the ocean, river fishing is your best chance to harvest large Chinook. According to the DFO Sport Fishing Guide, regulations can change quickly, so always check your local area before heading out. Put away your boat and explore the lovely Fall Salmon fishing opportunities that abound on Vancouver Island.

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This article appeared in Island Fisherman Magazine. Never miss another issue—subscribe today for the latest 2026 reports!