Winter salmon fishing in Sooke is one of our favourite ways to spend a day on the water. We have a productive Chinook fishery right on our doorstep, heated cabins ready when guests arrive and room to enjoy the coastline without the summer boat traffic.
Our winter Chinook season runs from October to the end of March. If you usually put your fishing plans away until spring, you could be missing some very good days.
A Christmas trip that started before the tutorial finished
In December 2025, we took a family of five out for a morning Chinook Salmon & Crab trip. They were visiting family on Vancouver Island for the Christmas holidays, and their eldest son was a fishing fanatic. The two children were 12 and 14. They loved fishing their local lakes and rivers but had never been on the ocean.
The weather was perfect: sunshine breaking through the morning mist, a warm day and light wind in the forecast. We welcomed them aboard the Northwest with the cabin heated and ready to go.
We dropped our crab traps a short distance from the dock, then made the five-minute run towards the Sooke Bluffs. It's a favourite winter Chinook spot, with views across to the Olympic Peninsula mountains in Washington and along the Vancouver Island shoreline.
On the way out, we stopped for a large pod of porpoises chasing bait around the kelp forest. Once we'd taken some photos and they'd moved on, we lowered our fishing gear and started a quick tutorial.
The first downrigger touched bottom, came up a foot and the line got hammered. The Islander MR3 reel started buzzing and burning line – the sort of sound you imagine they could hear as far as East Sooke.
Our tutorial became a live fish-fighting lesson, with the eldest son on the rod. He kept the line tight, let the fish take line and played it all the way to the net: a winter Chinook of close to 15 lb, iridescent in the morning sun.
High fives all round.
Every member of the family went on to bring a fish to the net. Heading home, the boys helped pull up traps full of large Dungeness crab. Harbour seals were waiting back at the dock too.
Tough morning to beat. I love it when the rods go off before the tutorial is even over.
What are winter Chinook like?
Chinook, king salmon, winter springs: you'll hear a few names around the dock. In winter, we're targeting fish feeding in our marine waters, and finding their food is a big part of finding them.
Our winter Chinook typically run 6–12 lb, with fish in the high teens and into the 20s not uncommon. Pound for pound, they're wonderfully scrappy. A determined fish down deep gives you plenty to concentrate on as you work it towards the boat.
People often underestimate the quality of the fishing at this time of year. The fish are excellent eating too. When we're cutting those bright red fillets, I sometimes jokingly ask guests, "Hey, did you actually get a sockeye?"
For the wider seasonal picture, see our guide to salmon fishing in Sooke.
Warm boats and quieter fishing grounds
This winter we're running two boats, the Hawk and the Northwest. Both have fully enclosed, heated cabins.
We warm up the cabins and engines before guests arrive in the morning. It's a small touch that makes a difference: you start the day somewhere warm, with a place to settle between turns on deck. Small touches like this are a big part of why all three of our boats recently won the FishingBooker Angler's Choice Award.
Sooke's coastal winter has its bright, mild days, when sunshine and light wind make being on the water a pleasure. Rain, wind and cold spells are part of the season too. We choose suitable conditions, and dressing in layers is always a good idea.
There can also be much less boat traffic than in summer. Some mornings, familiar salmon grounds feel almost private. That gives us space to work a stretch of water, circle back through a productive spot and enjoy the shoreline.
Crabbing is included
Crabbing is included on every trip. The exception is our short two or three-hour trips, which we don't generally run in winter.
Helping retrieve a trap adds another moment of anticipation to the day, as the boys on that Christmas outing discovered. Those full traps were the final thing to remember from a great day on the water.
How we find winter salmon
We often fish deeper in winter, running our gear right on the bottom. We choose lures that imitate the food the fish are using, whether that's a slender baitfish profile or a squid-style presentation. You don't need previous sea-fishing experience to join us: we'll explain how to handle the rod and play a fish, just as we did with that family on the Northwest.
What to wear and bring
We recommend dressing as if you're going on a hike:
- Wear layers so you can adjust as the day changes.
- Bring a waterproof outer jacket and wear non-slip, closed-toe footwear.
- Keep bulky gloves in the cabin when handling the reel. They can get in the way when you're fighting a fish.
One other request from the captain: leave the bananas at home.
Before your trip, arrange a BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence, including a salmon conservation stamp if you plan to keep salmon. Our trip-planning page covers more of the practical details.
A few winter charter questions
When does winter Chinook fishing finish?
Our winter feeder-Chinook season runs until the end of March. From April, we move into early-run migrating Chinook. What can be kept depends on the rules for the date and location, so check the current DFO Area 20 regulations when planning your trip.
Should I choose a half-day or full-day trip?
A half day gives you time to enjoy a winter fishing window close to Sooke. A full day gives us more time to work different water and follow opportunities as conditions change. Both include crabbing.
Can I join a charter if I'm staying in Victoria?
Yes. Our charters depart from our private dock in Sooke. Send us your preferred dates and group size, and we'll help you choose a trip.
Book a winter salmon charter in Sooke
Winter gives us some memorable days: a warm cabin in the morning, feeding Chinook close to home and the excitement of seeing what's in the crab traps.
If you're planning a winter outing with family or friends, see our charter options or send us your preferred dates and group size.
You might find your new favourite fishing season. We already know it's one of ours.