Common Fishing Charter Questions

What is the Best Time of Year to Fish in Ucluelet?

Salmon fishing is good from April to mid September with the best time normally June to mid-September. You can take advantage of some of the best Coho fishing in September with lots of action and good -sized Coho Salmon. A Chinook salmon of 30 pounds or more is called a Tyee. July, August and September are the best months to catch Tyee Chinook salmon.​

• Halibut fishing in Ucluelet is good year-round and the best is from March to September -target the big halibut which are great for eating.
• Lingcod can be caught between April and October
• September has good sized fish and plenty of them.
• This is a great month to come fishing with Mark’s Reel Fishing Charters, one of the best fishing charters on Vancouver Island.
• many fishing charters in Ucluelet and on Vancouver Island stop doing their tours for the season at the end of the Labour Day long weekend, which is at the beginning of September.
• fishing on west coast Vancouver Island is very popular in the summer as the best fishing coincides with BC’s best weather. 
•  book your salmon and halibut fishing charter in Ucluelet in advance.​

Is a Fishing Licence Needed?

• ​Yes. Everyone in your fishing party needs to have their own valid fishing licence, including children (no fee though for under 16).
• You need a licence for halibut fishing, salmon fishing, lingcod or any other type of fishing in Ucluelet or when you are fishing anywhere in the province of BC.
• You need to have your fishing licence with you when fishing or when transporting your catch with you travelling home.
• f you buy your fishing licence online, print a copy of it and bring it with you.
• Make sure you take care of your licence before you get to your Ucluelet fishing charter.

Where Can I Purchase a Fishing Licence?

You can purchase your licence for fishing in BC from a local vendor such as a sporting good store or a marina. They are also available online. However, non-Canadian residents that wish to retain halibut must purchase a fishing licence at a local vendor.
A child under 16 requires a licence but there is no fee.
​A parent can buy a fishing licence for a child under 16 and a spouse can purchase one for the other spouse.
You can purchase one online here.

What are Some Tips to Have a Good Fishing Charter?

To make the most out of your halibut fishing or salmon fishing in Ucluelet BC, it is recommended that you bring or do the following:

• Each person who is fishing, have your valid fishing licence with you, and a salmon tag if you want to retain salmon - It would be disappointing when you catch your big fish and then have to throw them all back! - Mark’s Reel Fishing Adventures adheres to all fishing regulations.
• Sunscreen
• Sun glasses
• Motion sickness patch if you are prone to experience sea sickness on the water - You can buy them at a pharmacy - ​Put it behind your ear the night before your fishing charter
• Bring a good lunch and drinks
• Bring one or more cameras -Make sure the batteries are chargedYou want to capture those lifetime memories
• Listen to the captain on safety – Captain Mark will run you through a safety lesson
• Don’t worry about having to hold it for hours because we have a full private bathroom for you
• Bring a light jacket in case it gets cool with the wind whipping up
• Listen to the captain’s instruction on bringing the fish in - Just do what he says even if it seems strange - Your joy is increased when you catch the fish instead of losing them
• Bring a cooler to take home your fish
• Come to the boat ready to have a lot of fun!
• And ladies, if you catch a bigger fish than your man or the rest of the family​ - Just smile and try not to rub it in too much.

What Type of Fishing Licence Do I Need to Bring?

​You need to purchase a Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence to fish for any species of finfish or shellfish in Ucluelet. This licence will cover all the popular types of fish for Vancouver Island fishing charters including salmon, halibut, bottom fish as well as crab.
To be able to keep any species of Pacific salmon you catch, you also need to purchase a Salmon Conservation Stamp (commonly referred to as a salmon tag) and affix it to your fishing licence. The cost for the stamp is $6.00 plus tax and is good for a year. Al the proceeds from the salmon stamps go to the Pacific Salmon Foundation to facilitate salmon restoration, stewardship and related projects in British Columbia.

What Can I do with Fish I Retain from my Fishing Charter in Ucluelet?

Not to worry. Mark will clean your salmon, halibut and other fish for you when you get back to shore. He will have them ready to take to the packing house. They will flash freeze and vacuum package the fish in portions that you request. You can pick your frozen fish up just before you leave town and transport them in your cooler; the packing plant will have them prepared properly to take on a plane if you are flying.

What are the Fishing Limits for My Ucluelet Fishing Charter?

There are 2 types of fishing limits you need to keep in mind:

1. Daily Limit – this is the maximum number of specific species of fish that you are allowed in one day to keep.
2. Possession Limit – for the purpose of your fishing charter in Ucluelet, this would be the maximum number of fish that you can have with you on your way home and is also limited by species. Some call it the travel limit.

The most common fish targeted on summer fishing charters in the Ucluelet area are salmon and halibut, with the Chinook (King) salmon and Coho (Silver) salmon being the most popular salmon caught. Daily limits for these popular finned beauties are Chinook salmon (2), Coho salmon (2), and halibut (1).
The possession limit is: Chinook salmon (4), Coho salmon (4), and halibut (2).
Limits for possession for other fish caught while on your Vancouver Island fishing trip for daily limits and possession limits are:  Pink salmon (4 daily + 8 possession), Sockeye salmon (4 + 8 but check current status as this can change), Chum salmon (4 + 8), Rockfish (3 + 6), Lingcod (2 + 4), and for Dungeness crab (6 + 12).

Note: the total daily combined limit for all species of Pacific salmon is 4 and possession limit of 8.

Updated limits can be found for the popular types of fishing on this part of Vancouver Island in BC.