Campbell River Salmon Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday charter targets five salmon species in Campbell RiverExpert guides provide equipment and instruction for all skill levelsPrivate boat accommodates up to four guests for personalized experience
Campbell River has earned its reputation as the salmon capital of the world, and this 8-hour private charter puts you right in the heart of the action. You'll be fishing the legendary waters where massive Chinook salmon cruise the depths and feisty Coho light up your rod tip. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience what makes Campbell River a bucket-list destination for salmon anglers worldwide. With room for up to 4 guests, you'll have plenty of space to fight fish without getting tangled up with other lines.
Your day starts early when you meet your captain at the marina, coffee in hand and anticipation building. The boat is rigged and ready with all the gear you'll need – no need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and camera. Campbell River's protected waters mean comfortable fishing even when the ocean gets rough, and the scenery is absolutely stunning with snow-capped mountains reflecting off the water. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand, reading the tides and current to put you on fish throughout the day. Expect to cover serious ground as you chase salmon along kelp beds, around underwater structure, and through tidal zones where baitfish congregate. The 8-hour timeframe gives you flexibility to adapt to conditions and follow the bite wherever it leads.
Campbell River salmon fishing is all about precision trolling with downriggers and diving planers to get your bait down to where the fish are holding. Your guide will set up multiple rods at different depths, typically running anything from 30 to 150 feet down depending on what the fish finder shows. The standard setup includes heavy-duty rods paired with level wind reels loaded with 20-30 pound test line, plus a selection of spoons, hootchies, and cut-plug herring that have proven deadly in these waters. You'll learn the art of playing a big Chinook on light drag, letting the fish run while keeping steady pressure. The downrigger system does the heavy lifting of getting your gear to the strike zone, while you focus on detecting subtle bites and setting the hook when a salmon picks up your offering.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of Campbell River, with fish ranging from feisty 15-pounders up to true giants pushing 40 pounds or more. These king salmon are most active during summer months and put up fights that will test your arm strength and patience. Coho salmon provide non-stop action from July through September, known for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. Pink salmon show up in massive numbers during odd years, creating some of the most exciting light-tackle fishing you'll find anywhere. Chum salmon arrive in fall with their distinctive hooked jaws and powerful shoulders, offering a different kind of challenge as they prepare for their spawning run. Sockeye salmon are the wild card – when they're around, they're absolute dynamite on light gear, though they can be the most selective feeders of the bunch.
Chinook salmon are what dreams are made of in Campbell River. These monsters can live up to 7 years and reach incredible sizes, with the current sport record standing at over 70 pounds. They're most active in early morning and evening hours, often holding in 80-120 feet of water near underwater drop-offs and current breaks. What makes them so special is their combination of size and fighting ability – a big Chinook will sound deep, then make powerful runs that can last several minutes. The satisfaction of landing a 30-pound king after a 20-minute battle is something every angler needs to experience.
Coho salmon bring pure excitement to every trip with their aggressive strikes and aerial displays. Typically weighing 8-15 pounds, these silver bullets are known for jumping repeatedly when hooked, often throwing the hook if you don't keep steady pressure. They're most abundant from mid-July through September, feeding heavily on herring and anchovies in the top 60 feet of water. Coho are also more willing to hit flashy spoons and bright lures, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action throughout the day.
Pink salmon create some of the most fun fishing Campbell River has to offer, especially during their peak runs in odd-numbered years. These smaller salmon, usually 3-6 pounds, make up for their size with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. They're perfect for beginners and kids, as they're not too overwhelming to fight but still provide that satisfying bend in the rod. Pinks are also great eating when caught fresh from the ocean, before they start their color change for spawning.
Chum salmon are the powerhouses of the fall fishery, arriving in September and October with broad shoulders and determination. These fish can reach 15-20 pounds and are known for their bulldogging fights – they might not jump like a Coho, but they'll pull steady and hard until your arms are burning. Chum are particularly exciting because they often feed in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more in the area.
Sockeye salmon are considered the ultimate prize for their incredible table fare and challenging nature. These bright red beauties are notoriously picky eaters, often requiring specific presentations and perfect timing to entice a strike. When you do connect with a Sockeye, they fight with surprising strength for their size, making long runs and using their stamina to test your drag settings. They're most common during their cyclical runs, making each encounter feel special.
This world-class salmon fishing experience combines Campbell River's legendary fish populations with expert local knowledge and top-quality equipment. Whether you're targeting trophy Chinook for the wall or filling the cooler with Coho and Pinks for the dinner table
Hit the waters of Campbell River aboard our reliable 26-foot Pursuit sportfishing boat, your home base for an epic 8-hour salmon adventure. This 2008 beauty packs a 300HP Mercury SeaPro engine that'll get you to the hot spots fast, cruising at 30 knots when the fish are biting somewhere else. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - GPS to mark those productive holes, radar for when the fog rolls in, and a fish finder to locate schools below. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the drop-offs, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. With space for up to 4 anglers and even a head on board, you can focus on what matters most - landing those prized Campbell River salmon. Whether you're targeting hefty Chinook or feisty Coho, this boat puts you right where the action is. The combo of power, tech, and fishing-focused design makes every trip productive, giving you the best shot at filling the cooler with quality fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Campbell River - literally. These are the big boys, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 40 plus. They're light-sensitive fish that hug the bottom during the day, so we fish them deep with downriggers, usually 60-120 feet down. Early morning and evening bites are best when they move up to feed. What makes chinook special is their incredible strength and the way they peel line off your reel in long, powerful runs. The meat is rich and buttery - restaurant quality every time. They're pickier eaters than other salmon, preferring herring and anchovies. Local tip: keep your bait moving slowly and steadily. Chinook don't like erratic action - think injured baitfish, not panicked prey.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon are the marathon runners of the salmon world, making the longest migrations of any Pacific salmon. These underrated fighters average 10-15 pounds and develop impressive teeth during spawning that earn them the nickname "dog salmon." In the ocean they're silver beauties, but turn olive-green with purple stripes when heading to spawn. They cruise in 15-40 foot depths and are surprisingly strong once hooked. Fall is prime time when big schools move through Campbell River. What surprises guests is how hard they fight - chums are bulldogs that make long runs and test your drag. The meat is excellent when ocean-fresh. Key tip: don't cast right into the school or you'll spook them. Cast a few feet to the side and let your lure drift into their path.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or silvers as we call them, are absolute acrobats when hooked. These 8-12 pound fighters will jump clean out of the water and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat excited. They've got that classic silver body with a blue-green back and prefer to hunt in the top 30 feet of water around structure and baitfish schools. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their spawning run. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and aerial displays - plus the bright orange meat is top-notch eating. They're less picky than chinook but more challenging than pinks. Here's a local trick: when trolling, watch for birds working the surface - coho are likely feeding underneath chasing herring.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink Salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon, averaging around 5 pounds, but they make up for size with sheer numbers. Also called humpies for the distinctive hump males develop, these silver fish are perfect for beginners and kids. They love cold water and typically run close to shore in odd-numbered years here in Campbell River. What makes them special is their willingness to bite - they're not picky eaters and will hit bright pink jigs and hoochies readily. The meat has that classic salmon pink color from all the crustaceans they eat. They're excellent table fare when fresh from the ocean. Pro tip: use bright pink or chartreuse lures and don't overthink it - these fish are aggressive and fun to catch on light tackle.
Oncorhynchus NerkaSockeye are the premium eating salmon - that deep red meat commands top dollar at restaurants. These smaller salmon average 6-10 pounds but what they lack in size they make up for in flavor and fight. Ocean-fresh sockeye are brilliant silver, but turn bright red with green heads during spawning runs. They're plankton feeders, which makes them trickier to catch than other salmon. Summer runs from June through August are best, and they typically swim deeper than coho but shallower than chinook. Guests love sockeye for the incredible table fare - it's the richest, most flavorful salmon you'll eat. They're challenging to hook since they don't chase bait like other salmon. Pro tip: use small, bright flies or lures and focus on precise presentation rather than aggressive action.
Vancouver