Northern Vancouver Island & Mainland Inlets

Gateway to Queen Charlotte Strait and the mainland fjords of Kingcome and Knight Inlet, as well as Quatsino Sound on Vancouver Island's west coast, the Port Hardy area is positioned centrally in a very productive fishing area. It is hard to imagine better fishing with huge halibut, large Chinook and Coho as well Pinks, Chum, and Sockeye just minutes from town.

Late May usually marks the beginning of the Chinook migrations with peak fishing occurring in August, Coho appear in late June with fishing starting in earnest in July. The best time to intercept large northerns is from early September through October. During odd years Pink salmon runs are strong and are best fished during late July through to mid-September. Sockeye are showing in small numbers by mid-June. Fishing picks up in July and August and then will start tapering off by early September. Look for Chum salmon to show during the month of August. Fishing for Chum will continue on through to October. April and May are Halibut months with some tipping the scales up to 250+ lbs. Rockfish are excellent throughout these waters as well as Lingcod when in season. (See Game Fish of BC)

There are many excellent resorts in the North Island area. Port Hardy, located at the northeasterly tip of Vancouver Island, is the region's largest community. Port McNeill can be found 44 kms. (27 mi.) to the south. Both towns are easily reached by car or plane and both offer the visitor a wide range of recreational pursuits, facilities, accommodations, and services. From Port Hardy, B.C. ferries offer ferry services to Bella Bella, Bella Coola, and Prince Rupert. Ferries also offer services to Sointula and Alert Bay, out of Port McNeill. The communities of Coal Harbour, Holberg, Winter Harbour, and Port Alice in the Quatsino Inlet area can be reached by car. Knight Inlet, Kingcome Inlet, and Blackfish Sound can be reached either by boat or float plane.

The Northern Vancouver Island area and mainland inlets offer the visitor great recreational opportunities and should be high on your list of future destinations.

Bear Cove Cottage Fishing Resort: Our hilltop cottage resort offers views over the Pacific Ocean and the background sounds of nature, and the surrounding marine activity, will capture your attention. The saltwater and salmon fishing’s great, there’s lots of additional recreational activities,... more

Blackfish Lodge: Steelhead, salmon, trout, and halibut - experience superb flyfishing, spinning, and legendary saltwater salmon and bottom fish angling – plus stunning wilderness, abundant wildlife, & warm hospitality. Ask about exclusive lodge use for groups of 4 – 6. more

Coastwide Sports Fishing: Enjoy pure / unique hard-core fishing with comfortable home-style accommodations, and a home-cooked dinner! Owner operated, we offer fully guided salmon & bottom fishing charters on Vancouver Island with the main part of our season in the Port Hardy area. more

Codfather Charters: We’re certain you will be fully satisfied with your Codfather Charters fishing experience, on the waters off Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. Having 25 years of experience means that you’re sure to enjoy some of the very best Salmon and Halibut fishing BC has... more

Cordero Lodge: We are in BC’s world-renowned salmon fishing grounds. Here you’ll find great scenery, salmon or bottom fishing, crabbing, prawning, plus hiking and much more. Enjoy the wildlife, good German cooking and great German speaking hosts! more

Farewell Harbour Resort: From our boats, the shore, or inland to the streams … there’s fly-fishing of your choice with ocean casting for much sought Coho, in the kelp for the feisty Black Bass, or the streams for Cutthroat Trout. We also offer eco-tours, whale watching, kayaking & mo... more

Starfish Charters: The Salmon and Halibut fishing in Port Hardy, near the coast island wilderness, rivals all the best west coast locations. Join us at Starfish Charters & see what kind of fun we can have & the wildlife we’ll see including bears on the beaches, Orca, sea lions,... more

West Pacific Charters: Welcome to West Pacific Charters, in the sleepy seaside village of Winter Harbour on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This is where the mighty Chinook Salmon & Barn Door Halibut hangout … and where everyday is an exciting fishing day. more