Discovery Passage Is Stacking Winter Chinook on the Flood

Where the Fish Are Holding Today

If you want to find winter Chinook right now, point the bow at Discovery Passage. The resident Chinook are tucked into the inside waters, following the bait that funnels through the Passage, and that's exactly where we've been putting lines in the water. The shorelines off Quadra Island are also worth a look, and on bigger tide days the flow pushing down from Johnstone Strait keeps the feed active. Location is everything this time of year, and these fish aren't scattered — they're bunched where the current and bait line up.

Today's Conditions

It's a classic late-October morning on the water here in Campbell River. We're sitting at 4°C under overcast skies, with northwest winds at a gentle 10 km/h. Wave height is essentially flat at 0.0m, so expect glassy, comfortable running and easy jigging and trolling. We're working the morning slack as it transitions into the flood — that tide change is the window you want to be fishing. When the water starts to move, the bait gets pushed and the Chinook turn on.

What's Running and Why

Winter Chinook are the name of the game, and they're feeding hard. These local residents are running 8 to 15 lbs — chrome-bright, hard-fighting fish that stay in our inside waters through the cold months chasing herring and needlefish. Because they're actively feeding rather than migrating, they'll commit to a well-presented bait, which makes for a genuinely fun day on the water.

Technique Tips

Get your gear down into the strike zone — glow hoochies and anchovies trolled at depth have been reliable producers. Pay attention to your sounder and fish where the bait shows. Work the slack-to-flood transition and don't be afraid to adjust your depth until you find the feeding fish. Small, steady trolls through the bait balls are putting Chinook in the box.

Regulations and Booking

Retention is two Chinook per day with a 62cm minimum size, so check your fish and keep the right ones. Conditions this week are looking calm and fishable, which is a gift this late in the season. If you've been waiting for a flat-water day to chase bright winter Chinook in Discovery Passage, this is it. Spots are filling — reach out and let's get you on the water.

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.