May 2026 Tofino Fishing Report Update

By: ROB FRAWLEY – Lucky Strike Sportfishing

May in Tofino offers diverse saltwater opportunities on the West Coast. With lingcod and rockfish opened in April, the chance to land a trophy fish close to shore remains excellent. At this time of year, fish are still holding shallow; focus on structure in the 60′ to 100′ range near deeper dropoffs. Large swimbaits help avoid smaller rockfish while targeting aggressive lings. Don’t forget to keep your descending device rigged and ready to protect these slow-growing reef residents.

Salmon regulations will mirror recent seasons, allowing retention of Chinook within one nautical mile of the surf line. Productive local haunts like Lennard Island, Wilf Rock, Tree Island, Rafael Point, and Sidney Inlet continue to produce year after year. While trolling the surf line, watch for gray whales, as their migration is in full swing.

The full moon tides at the end of the month should help trigger the squid migration into protected bays and inlets ahead of their summer spawn. This influx of protein, alongside herring and needlefish, makes “matching the hatch” critical. If you aren’t seeing action on the usual spoons, try a small white hoochie to mimic the incoming squid.

May also sets the stage for prime halibut fishing. These migratory fish use strong tidal currents to move off the continental shelf toward shallower summer feeding grounds. Focus on underwater humps along these travel routes. Because spring runoff can occasionally cloud the water, using heavy scents (fresh herring or octopus) on your jigs is a game-changer for helping fish track your bait.

As always, Tofino weather can be fickle. Fog banks can roll in quickly even on sunny days, so ensure your radar and GPS are dialled in. Plan ahead, share your trip plan, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best early-season fishing BC has to offer.

Words by ROB FRAWLEY
Lucky Strike Sportfishing, Tofino BC
250-208-8123 | luckystriketofino.com