FSC Daily Fishing Report - Sunday, May 24, 2026

The wind was out of the ESE at 22 km/h and gusting toward 40 when Captain Bruce eased the Boston Whaler Montauk out of Coast Marina A Dock on Sunday. Overcast skies, 17°C air, and a chop building across the southern reach of Discovery Passage. Cape Mudge was the destination. It usually is, this time of year.

Conditions Report: May 24, 2026

The marine forecast from Environment Canada called for southeast winds 15 to 25 knots through the day with seas of 1 metre or less — and that held. The ESE push built a moderate chop on the approach but nothing the Montauk couldn't handle. Visibility was 10 km throughout, no fog, no rain. Water temperature came in at a notably warm 14.7°C for late May — warm enough to push feeder Chinook up in the column and concentrate them along the current seams at Cape Mudge. High tide had crested at 12:25 PM at 9.2 feet, and the slack before ebb at 12:57 PM put the midday crew right on the transition as lines went in. That ebb flow running south through Discovery Passage is what makes Cape Mudge so reliable — bait piles up along the rip, and the Chinook follow. The moon was in its First Quarter at 56% illumination. Solunar rating for the day was Good, with a minor feeding period running 11:58 AM to 12:58 PM — nearly perfectly overlapping with first lines in and the tide transition.

The Catch

Captain Bruce set Tomic plugs at depth — estimated 60 to 100 feet given the warm 14.7°C water and shallow-riding spring feeders — and worked the Cape Mudge grounds through the early afternoon. Five Chinook salmon were hooked. All five were released in chrome-bright condition. The best fish of the day came in at 7 lbs — a lively feeder that made the most of its time on the line before going back. For today's guests, first-timers on a 4-hour introductory trip, five hook-ups was a genuine introduction to what this water produces. The solunar minor period lined up with the ebb transition and the fish were clearly active. Tomic plugs are a classic Campbell River producer for exactly this situation — they mimic the small baitfish these feeder Chinook key on in spring, and today they did their job.

What's Running in May

Late May is a transitional window on Discovery Passage. The feeder Chinook that have been schooling through the winter and early spring are still present — chrome, aggressive, and in the 5 to 15 lb range for the most part. Larger fish will start showing as the summer run builds toward June and July. Cape Mudge and the surrounding Tyee grounds are historically among the most productive areas in all of British Columbia for Chinook salmon, and the spring season offers some of the most consistent access to these fish before the summer recreational pressure picks up. Under current DFO Area 13 regulations, most of these feeder Chinook fall within retention size, though today's fish were all released. The minimum retention size is 62 cm. Always check current Fishery Notices at pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca for the most up-to-date rules before you go.

Book Your Trip

Spring salmon fishing in Campbell River is some of the best available on Vancouver Island right now, and dates are moving. Captain Bruce runs three departures daily aboard the Boston Whaler Montauk — 6 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM — with free parking at Tyee Plaza and all tackle provided. Whether it's your first time on the water or you're a returning angler looking to learn the Cape Mudge grounds, the 4-hour introductory trip is the best way to start. View our salmon fishing charters and check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com. Tight lines.

Weather: 17°C (feels like 16°C), overcast clouds, ESE wind 22 km/h gusting to 39 km/h, visibility 10 km | Water: Light to moderate chop with ESE wind push; 14.7°C water temperature; some whitecaps likely on the exposed southern approach