Photo: Canadian Princess Resort

Fishing in Ucluelet

Ucluelet Fishing Information & Requirements

Ucluelet really is a World Class Sport Fishing destination. Our offshore banks are the feeding grounds for all runs of Salmon and Halibut. Due to this our five species of salmon are always abundant with Chinooks ranging from 5 to 50 lbs, and Coho from 5 to 20 pounds. Charter Operators boast 20 to 60 fish per day.

Here the saying a bad days fishing is better than a good day at work, does not apply, it's always a good day.

Halibut have become a very favourable sport fish with weights ranging from 15lbs to 40 pounds. Also several over 100 pounds are caught annually. Most Charter Companies limit out every day on Halibut. Lingcod and Rock Fish are plentiful, ensuring the children will have lots of nonstop action.

Crabs are found right in our Harbour, and prawns and shellfish are also nearby.

If you are bringing your own boat (paved highways right to Ucluelet), or you are hiring one of our Professional Charter Boats; our local guides are very helpful with tips and information to make your Fishing Vacation a REEL Success. You will be hooked after your first trip to Ucluelet.

Fish on the edge… for a chance to win up to $40, 000

Ucluelet is the place to be this year for a summer-long salmon fishing derby that will net the winners thousands of dollars and raise at least half that for local salmon enhancement.

The Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society was recently formed to run the Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby, the longest running locally organized fishing event ever to be held on the west coast.

For nearly four months from May 24 to September 13, 2010, fishers of all ages will have the chance to compete for the biggest catch while enjoying “fishing on the edge” in the scenic waters around the fishing capital of Canada.

Throughout the derby, the 50 largest salmon (all five species of Pacific salmon are eligible) caught will be continuously ranked on the event’s website in a ladder format. Weigh-in stations will measure and photograph the fish. At the close of the derby, the top 50 fisherman will compete in a “fish-off” over three days (dates to be determined) for the largest cash prize.

Three times during the derby, at the end of June, the end of July and the end of August, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three fish caught. The catcher of the largest fish each month will receive $7,000, the second largest $2,000 and the third largest $1,000.

The top finishers each month will also get entry into the final fish-off to compete for the top cash prize of $30,000.

The derby’s co-chair Brian Clarkson said funds raised will go to the non-profit Thornton Creek Hatchery, which focuses on enhancing local coho, chinook and chum salmon populations. “Raising money to support salmon enhancement is as worthy a cause as one can find.”

Because it will be the longest running local event this summer, the economic spin-offs to the community could reach into the millions, from accommodation to transportation, from restaurants to fish processing.

The Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society will present a cheque to the Fish-off winner and Thornton Creek Hatchery during the wrap up festivities planned for the close of the 2010 derby in September.

Please visit the event website or email info@ucluelet.travel for more information.

See you on the water!

For more information, visit www.uclueletsalmonladderderby.com

Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans licensing information:

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Licensing/online_e.htm

Provincial Ministry of the Environment, Fish and Wildlife Branch licensing information:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/

For a list of Ucluelet fishing charters and outfitters, go to

http://www.uclueletinfo.com/visitor_information/default.htm#fishing

Featured Ucluelet Fishing Listings