Quadra Island Fishing Trips
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Calm protected waters near Campbell River offer consistent salmon fishingSmall group charter accommodates up to four guests maximumClose proximity to town with scenic coastal wilderness views
Just a short boat ride from Campbell River lies one of BC's best-kept fishing secrets. Quadra Island's protected waters offer some of the most consistent salmon action on the coast, all while staying close enough to town that you won't spend half your day getting there. These calm, sheltered waters are perfect for families with kids, couples wanting a peaceful day on the water, or experienced anglers who know that sometimes the best fishing happens right in your backyard. With Fishing Storie Charters, you'll experience the perfect blend of productive fishing and stunning West Coast scenery that makes this area legendary among local anglers.
Your day starts with a comfortable ride through the sheltered channels between Campbell River and Quadra Island. The beauty of fishing these waters is the protection they offer – even when it's blowing outside, you'll find calm conditions that make for a relaxing day on the water. The rocky shorelines and kelp beds create perfect habitat for salmon, and you'll often spot seals, eagles, and porpoises while you're waiting for that next bite. With a maximum of four guests on board, you'll have plenty of room to fish comfortably and get personalized attention from your guide. The intimate group size means more rods in the water per person and better chances for everyone to land their fish of a lifetime.
We'll be trolling the productive waters around Quadra Island using proven techniques that work year-round in these waters. Your guide will set you up with quality downriggers and diving planes to get your gear down to where the salmon are holding. We typically run a mix of spoons, hootchies, and plugs – the classics that have been fooling salmon in these waters for decades. The rocky structure and varying depths around the island create natural feeding areas where salmon concentrate, and your guide knows exactly where to find them based on tides, time of year, and recent fishing reports. Don't worry if you're new to trolling – your guide will handle the technical stuff while you focus on feeling for that telltale thump of a salmon taking your gear.
The waters around Quadra Island are home to three species of Pacific salmon that provide world-class fishing opportunities throughout the season. Each species offers its own unique fight and challenges, making every trip an adventure.
Chinook salmon are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These powerful fish can range from scrappy 10-pounders to massive 30+ pound bruisers that will test your skills and your gear. Spring and early summer offer the best chances for trophy-sized Chinook, though you'll find them here year-round. What makes catching a Chinook so special is their incredible strength – they'll make long, powerful runs and often jump when hooked, giving you a fight you'll never forget. The deep waters and strong currents around Quadra Island create perfect conditions for these apex predators.
Coho salmon bring pure excitement to every trip with their acrobatic fights and aggressive strikes. These silver bullets typically range from 5 to 12 pounds and are absolute dynamite on the line. Summer and early fall are prime time for Coho around Quadra Island, when they're feeding heavily before their spawning run. What anglers love most about Coho is their unpredictability – they'll often jump multiple times, make sudden direction changes, and fight right to the boat. Their bright silver sides and aggressive nature make them a customer favorite for both experienced anglers and families with kids.
Pink salmon might be the smallest of the three species, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. During odd-numbered years, massive runs of Pink salmon flood these waters, creating some of the most action-packed fishing you'll find anywhere. These 3 to 5-pound fish are perfect for kids and beginning anglers – they bite readily, fight hard for their size, and provide non-stop action when the run is on. Even experienced anglers appreciate Pink salmon for their consistency and the opportunity to catch multiple fish in a single trip.
Quadra Island fishing trips with Fishing Storie Charters offer the perfect combination of productive fishing, stunning scenery, and comfortable conditions that make for an outstanding day on the water. Whether you're a local angler looking for a convenient half-day trip or a visitor wanting to experience BC's legendary salmon fishing, these protected waters deliver consistent action with the convenience of staying close to Campbell River. The intimate boat size ensures personalized service and maximum fishing time for everyone on board. Don't wait – the best fishing dates fill up quickly, especially during peak salmon season. Book your Quadra Island fishing adventure today and discover why savvy anglers choose these productive waters over more distant fishing grounds.
Our 27-foot Boston Whaler is perfectly rigged for chasing salmon in Quadra Island's protected waters. Twin 225HP Yamaha engines get you to the fishing grounds fast, hitting 45 knots when needed. The spacious cockpit comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with room to work the rods without getting tangled up. Downriggers are already mounted and ready to drop your gear to the right depth where the chinook and coho are holding. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps us on productive spots. When the weather turns or visibility drops, radar keeps us safe and on track. There's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a toilet so you don't have to cut fishing time short. Built tough for West Coast conditions, this boat handles the chop while keeping you dry and comfortable as you target salmon along the stunning coastline just minutes from Campbell River.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaThe king of salmon runs 12-39 inches and averages 7-15 pounds, though we've seen 30-pounders come up from the deep waters around Quadra Island. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs are the hardest fighting salmon you'll hook, and their rich orange meat makes them prized table fare. Chinooks stay deep during the day since they're light-sensitive, so we'll run downriggers at 60-120 feet depending on the tide. Peak season runs May through September when they're feeding heavily on herring and pilchards. The key trick here is scent - fresh herring or anchovies on your spoon makes all the difference. When that rod tip bounces, hang on tight.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of the salmon world, known for jumping clean out of the water when hooked. These chrome-bright fighters typically run 8-12 pounds and 12-30 inches, with their distinctive white gums setting them apart from Chinooks. Cohos love structure - kelp lines, drop-offs, and points where baitfish gather in 20-80 feet of water. Peak action runs June through September, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. What guests love most is their aerial show and excellent eating quality with bright orange meat. They're aggressive feeders, hitting everything from spoons to flies. The local secret is running a flasher with a green or blue hoochie behind it - cohos can't resist that combination in our waters.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaKnown as humpies for the distinctive hump males develop, pinks are the smallest Pacific salmon but make up for size with sheer numbers. They typically run 3-5 pounds and show up every two years in huge schools during their odd-year runs. These silver bullets love the cooler waters around Quadra's kelp beds and rocky points, usually within 30-60 feet. July through early September is prime time when they're thick near shore. What makes pinks special is they're perfect for beginners - aggressive biters that'll hit bright pink hoochies and small spoons. The meat has a mild, flaky texture that's great for the grill. Pro tip: use a pink jig with some herring scent and work it through the schools.
Campbell River