Spring Chinook Fever: Catch & Release Action Heats Up

Prime Conditions Meet Peak Spring Chinook Season

Saturday delivered perfect conditions on the water: clear skies, light 15 km/h northwest winds, and glassy swells around 0.2 metres. With morning slack transitioning into flood tide, we're entering ideal fishing windows in Discovery Passage and the surrounding waters. Spring Chinook are filling out beautifully this season, running 15–25 pounds, and they're responding eagerly to well-presented baits and lures.

Double-Header Potential with Lingcod in Play

May 1st marked the opening of Lingcod season, and we're already seeing solid action alongside our primary target. This overlap creates genuine double-header opportunities—you could find yourself fighting a feisty ling one minute and a chrome Chinook the next. Lingcod are aggressive and fun on medium tackle, making them the perfect bonus while you're working the deeper channels of Johnstone Strait and around Campbell River's productive ground.

What to Expect This Week

Spring Chinook are eager feeders right now, and the bite window is broad. Focus on structure: drop-offs, current breaks, and rocky transitions where baitfish concentrate. Bouncing herring or working cut-bait near the bottom consistently produces. If you prefer artificials, jigging spoons and trolling small plugs mimic the natural forage these big fish are chasing. Tide matters—flood periods typically drive aggressive feeding, so plan your trips accordingly.

Mark Your Calendar for July 15

Until July 15, all Spring Chinook are catch and release—and honestly, that's the perfect warm-up for what's coming. You'll hone your technique, learn the seasonal patterns, and build confidence on these strong, acrobatic fish. When retention opens mid-summer, you'll be ready to make every hookup count.

Book Your Adventure Now

Conditions are ideal, fish are active, and Campbell River is firing. Whether you're a seasoned angler or stepping into saltwater for the first time, spring Chinook season offers unmatched excitement and opportunity. Get out here this week and feel the power of Discovery Passage's most prized gamefish.

Ready to experience world-class fishing in Campbell River? Book your charter trip with Fishing Storie Charters today. Captain Jason and the crew are ready to put you on fish.