Average salmon returns predicted; local angler notes early season success
NANAIMO — This year’s West Coast salmon fishery forecast has a mix of good and bad news, but getting your rod and tackle organized to fish locally isn’t a bad idea.
A preliminary Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) forecast expects 32 of 91 West Coast zones measured are at, or above, abundance targets for returning fish.
Andrew Kolasinksi, publisher of Island Angler magazine, expected a “reasonably good” fishing season.
“Usually there’s a few early returning Columbia River spring salmon that find their way into nets in Nanaimo,” Kolasinski said. “It’s normal that Nanaimo has a pretty good salmon fishery in May and June.”