Kokanee on Vancouver Island? Yes please! | Fishing with Rod

Vancouver Island is known for its ocean salmon, halibut, lingcod fishing, but how about some kokanee fishing in lakes? @gofishbc has begun a pilot project near Campbell River, developing a new kokanee fishery at Beavertail Lake which will be ideal for anglers of all ages, particularly families. I joined Adrian Clarke VP science of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and regional biologist Scott Silvestri for a couple of days of fishing at Beavertail Lake. Beside taking some fish home to eat, we were sampling them to determine how well this kokanee stock is doing.
Learn more about this new fishery:
www.gofishbc.com/learn/fishin...
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Rodney Hsu
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Rodney Hsu
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Epidemic Sound
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My name is Rod, and I am an avid fisherman, fishery advocate, conservationist and educator in British Columbia Canada. On this channel you will find:
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[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe and comment below. ► Instagram: instagram.com/fishing_with_rod ► Facebook: facebook.com/fishingwithrod

[@FishingwithRod]

I made a mistake in the introduction btw. There is in fact no camping available at Beavertail Lake, nice area for a picnic though in between fishing sessions.

[@pault6895]

I've fished it a couple times with my kayak. Great little lake and very accessible. Kudos to the Freshwater Fishery Society for their stocking programs.

[@rondeezy_thepancakeslayer1242]

I’m surprised you haven’t done more Kokanee fishing. There are a ton of inland lakes that are home to trophy size Kokanee in BC.

[@FishingwithRod]

I have tried most of the Interior kokanee fisheries actually. They're just not fisheries which I regularly visit because I just don't have time.

[@AgentStang]

There are big Kokanee in other lakes as well but the local lips are sealed :D

[@d.sp.4895]

Nice ispiration. I go to Vancouver Island in August, first time in Canada. I'm curious!!!

[@mmooney6860]

perfect for fly

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

10:50 you made us wait 13 seconds to set the hook on that biting fish haha.

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice video Rod 👍. Luv ALL of your videos , so interesting & full of information. Tight lines Rod 🎣

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks 👍

[@rodsaunders1580]

The Beavertail Lake rec site is day use only, NO CAMPING, you could be fined if caught camping at this site. Otherwise enjoy the fishing.

[@caroljames3853]

Seems like a great fishery for me to target when I next visit. Floating dock - 👍 Catchable size fish - 👍 Carol from Sydney, Australia

[@mobilemarshall]

looks like a nice spot to spend some time with the family, thanks for sharing

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep! Thanks for watching!

[@bbtvfishingismyhappyplace]

I think it's really neat to open a kokanee fishery in Van Island! A dolly varden would've been cool to see. Interested in seeing the difference between dollies and bull trout. Great vid! 👍

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks! I got your email btw, haven't had a chance to reply yet. 😄

[@bbtvfishingismyhappyplace]

@FishingwithRod awesome, no pressure 👍

[@mmooney6860]

i like it it is a very good place for family and kid we need more of that in the Island

[@ireallydontwanttoo]

Great video, I moved off the island a couple years ago to prince george. I just started Kokanee fishing and usually smoke them. Its nice to have option other than trout when you're not able to get on salt water.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yeah definitely, that has been one of the main reasons that more kokanee fisheries are being developed in this province.

[@squamishfish]

I grew up on the island tons of Great Lakes with very little pressure, and great fishing

[@thecount1001]

well, as a CR local, i know what i'm doing this weekend. this is very exciting as i've never seen a kok, let alone caught one.

[@happey123n]

I was just at beavertail a few days ago and it was goood fishing

[@thecount1001]

@@happey123n do you need a fish finder and downriggers? how deep are the fish, in general? i'll be paddling a canoe.

[@happey123n]

@@thecount1001 i just fish off the dock that’s in the video I use worms and marshmallows Cast about 30-40 feet out let it sink then slowly reel in(less chance of them swallowing it I’ve found) if you can use small circle hooks that your best bet

[@huntingvancouverisland]

@@thecount1001 if you fish the opposite of the dock. There’s a channel that’s around 70 ft deep. Troll that structure you will slay them!

[@paulipuhakka8788]

Don't forget the box of 12 "Kokanee"!!!🍺Ya don't even have to fish for those!👍😎

[@georgej7077]

I google mapped the lake to maybe head Campbell River way give it a go. I was shocked and saddened to see how few trees are left in the area. Wow.. Thanks for the video.

[@Suspicious0ne]

If you are closer to Nanaimo google Shelton Lake. Beavertail Lake and Shelton Lake were selected to be fertilized to support kokanee fishing on the island. Due to Shelton Lake being in the boonies and locked behind gates you can only access it on weekends between 8am-8pm than they lock them with or with out you.

[@Kankudai]

Rod's caught 10,000 fish, and still giggles at hooking number 10,001😊 Love this guy.

[@FishingwithRod]

Big and small, every fish is exciting! 😄

[@davidbruce5377]

I fished Kokanee in Merrit Valley. Nicola Lake. I do remember they had soft mouth and it tore off easily. An old timer told us to use a rubber band to absorb the hit. We smoked them.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep Yep. Nicola Lake's kokanee fishery is definitely one of the most productive ones in Region 3. It's doubtful that we'll see specimens at this lake grow to as large as hose at Nicola, but you never know. :D

[@happey123n]

I was just at beavertail lake the other day caught 2 cutthroat, 3 rainbows, my first 2 Dolly varden

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome!

[@steelparkeroutdoors]

Hey Rod, Was this a recent trip or content from a previous trip? time of year? Great video, makes me want to get the tin boat out this weekend! Cheers Greg

[@FishingwithRod]

This was last May, so the fish should be a little bigger now. The fishing should be good now. Both Scott and Adrian in the video fished it in the fall two years ago and also caught lots at that time.

[@ethantalksgames4240]

As a cr ocal I love fishing beaver tail and the quinsam during slamon season

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome. 😊

[@JohnnyMorris-wt4zz]

Kokanee ARE Salmon, they're non-anadromous Sockeye. Rainbow and Cutthroat are easily argued as Salmon as well (all members of the genus Oncorhynchus) albeit repeat spawners, also having anadromous and non-anadromous forms. Dolly's are members of the genus Salvelinus, which along with several other genera make up the family Salmonidae. Thanks for the video.

[@121five]

While he is eating the fish at the end of the video he says they taste good as they are Sockeye Salmon after all ;). Thats cool, I didn’t realize they are Sockeye, my favourite ocean salmon. I imagine they taste slightly different being small and in fresh water?

[@FishingwithRod]

That remark in the end wasn't meant to imply that sockeye salmon and kokanee are two distinct species. While they are the same species with two different life histories, the taste can be quite different at times. Kokanee, like many other lakes species, can be hit and miss when it comes to table fare due to the lake chemistry and time of the year.

[@stuckinlodi100]

That's rite..I guess..

[@121five]

@@FishingwithRod Thanks for the reply Rod, I find that interesting.

[@jamesanyang2980]

For Kokanee I like to add beer and chilli peppers. Usually in a Hunan style dish. But your recipe looks good too.

[@FishingwithRod]

Ooh I'll have to give that a try. 😄

[@oak8728]

Your first Kokanee comes on the fly, lol what! Kok on fly is not common. That’s awesome Rod 👍

[@FishingwithRod]

Kokanee on the fly is not rare, but kokanee on that particular fly I was using, I've never seen that lol. 😄

[@oak8728]

@@FishingwithRod I seldom get them on the fly down here in WA. In fact I can count about two in my lifetime. What fly do you like to use if you were to target them on a fly rod?

[@yiyangbian7900]

Hi Rod, I’m just wondering does Kokanee feed close to the surface as well? I saw lots of videos they’re just been caught in deep water.

[@FishingwithRod]

Kokanee generally are pelagic schooling fish, they are salmon after all, meaning they tend to be found in the upper water column of a large lake. Kokanee anglers tend to troll for them in the first 20ft below the surface. In some lakes, there are exceptions, where they'd be near the bottom.

[@dustinsemrok1162]

So was this filmmed this spring? Last year I brought my kids to the other Kokanee lake mid island. And we got a few but not much bigger then 10"

[@FishingwithRod]

This was filmed in May 2023.

[@dustinsemrok1162]

@@FishingwithRod thanks. so definitely bigger this year

[@FishingwithRod]

@@dustinsemrok1162 Hopefully!

[@1LRLRG]

I like that boat carrier where did you get it?

[@FishingwithRod]

It is made by a company called "Load My Boat" in Kelowna BC. www.loadmyboat.com

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

@6:37 hahaha

[@Goats22]

i literally found out about the two new kokanee fisheries on the island YESTERDAY and then today you drop a video! i am definitely heading to beavertail at some point to participate in this fishery! so happy!

[@FishingwithRod]

Awesome! I also just like the location and size of that lake, very pristine water and pretty backdrop to fish at.

[@daveschofield9448]

Port Alberni won the Salmon Capital of Canada Ultimate Fishing Town award. Just for your info 😊

[@AgentStang]

tiny salmon over there, smaller sockeye, and smaller springs, tiny like your weenuk

[@nickfisch7230]

Hey Rod, can you catch them from shore??

[@FishingwithRod]

Kokanee generally prefer to school in the middle of the lake like what salmon would do in the ocean, but they do come close to shore from time to time. If where you are fishing from has access to pretty deep water, you should be able to catch them by bait under a float. I actually caught one by fly casting from shore last week at a lake. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen at times.

[@huntingvancouverisland]

Cool to see this. I spend a lot of time fishing for Kokanee in beaver tail lake! Thanks for putting this out

[@Goats22]

surprising to see kokanee in 10 ft of water when they are not there to spawn!

[@FishingwithRod]

Yeah that's not the typical area where I would expect to catch kokanee. 😄

[@dragonflytoo]

Rod, I don't understand the logic behind the number of rods allowed, 2 in a boat but only 1 on shore.🤔 Also, I find sticker fish tend to hit powerbait but seldom lures.....🤔. Have you found that?

[@FishingwithRod]

So the current rod regulations are there to prevent people from fishing without a licence. For example, if two rods are allowed from shore, an angler could be using two rods and a friend could show up without a licence and decide to start using one of the rods yet the licenced angler could claim both rods are his when being checked.

[@dragonflytoo]

@@FishingwithRod that's a sad reason. 💔

[@xplicitfishin]

@@FishingwithRod Yeah, that's a load of bull when a person is struggling to catch a fish from shore and some frickin hotshot keeps trolling by with 2 rods, just out of casting distance and hooking fish hand over fist.

[@FishingwithRod]

@@xplicitfishin lol as someone who fishes from both boat and shore, I can say that two rods are not always better than one.

[@vanislandsteve]

👍🏻🇨🇦

[@mikepette4422]

technically it IS salmon fishing but I suppose there will be a lot of comments like this ;)

[@FishingwithRod]

🤷‍♂️

[@bobsch-gd6ze]

Oh My, everyone needs electric downriggers for Kokanee....

[@FishingwithRod]

Not everyone, but because they are trying to sample as many specimens as possible, it made sense to use them. As well as multiple rods, which would have been illegal for recreational angling.

[@langsfishingadventures7507]

Trolling on the internet lol !!

[@FishingwithRod]

🤣🤣🤣

[@breakawaybooks4752]

Kokanee are salmon. Landlocked sockeye salmon.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yes they are.

[@richardmichael9538]

I troll for kokanee on beavertail and in 2023, I caught my limit every time. Most kokanee were around 12" long but I have caught cuthroat up to 16" long.

[@FishingwithRod]

That's great!

[@TheYukonnahanni]

excuse me...But Kokanee fishing on Van. Island ???

[@louizivkovic1752]

Lol lucky you can make video

[@FishingwithRod]

It's not luck. :)

[@stuckinlodi100]

Rod..you appear to be talking among your selves. Otherwise a useful video..thnx

[@FishingwithRod]

That's how you draw the fish in, making them think you're talking to them.

[@Andy-zj3dc]

so these sockeye don't have access to the ocean? if they do they aren't kokonee.

[@FishingwithRod]

No they don't have access to the ocean.

[@huntingvancouverisland]

We are actually hosting a derby on the lake later this year if you want info just give me a shout @ericsoutdoorsvanisle

[@FishingwithRod]

Is this for a local club, for a fundraiser? Can you please DM the info to me on Facebook or Instagram if this is something I can drive more participation? :)

[@huntingvancouverisland]

@@FishingwithRod I’ll send you a dm when I’m off the clock. It will be hosted by tyee and the local crfw