June 2026 Campbell River Fishing Report 

By: JEREMY MAYNARD - June 2026 Campbell River Fishing Report 
Opportunities for salmon will open up somewhat with the beginning of coho season on June 1. For the 2 months prior, the only retention opportunity in Area 13 will have been along parts of the Mainland shore in the hybrid mark-selective fishery for Chinook there, so local anglers will welcome being able to target coho in the waters adjacent to Campbell River.

Reports from the Nanaimo area all winter indicated a continuation of the inside distribution pattern that reasserted itself in the winter of 2022-23, with productive coho fishing in the summers to follow—hopefully more of the same in 2026! Anglers are reminded that only marked (adipose fin-clipped) coho can be retained at this time of year, 2/day/angler. Try and be observant of the mark status of the fish before bringing it aboard; if the coho has an adipose fin, it is deemed to be of wild origin and must be released. Survival is significantly increased for salmon that can’t be retained if they aren’t put in a net or handled inside a dry boat. Check this website for guidance on this important task: sportfishing.bc.ca/release-them-right.

“Bluebacks at the red can” used to be the cry decades ago when the coho first showed up in the spring. In early summer, all around the bottom end of Quadra Island is a place to try for them. Fish light gear to make catching these fish fun; small spoons are as good as anything. Pay attention to what the fish are feeding on, and if you see any sign of a shrimp hatch, put out lures with some red or pink colouration. Troll at a pretty good clip and not too deep.

Anglers will likely encounter some Chinook, but there’s no retention until July 15 other than in the Mainland shoreline fishery. Lingcod are open, so find a rockpile and jig away—good luck!

Words by JEREMY MAYNARD
Campbell River, BC | 250-203-1602