Over the past four years we’ve had a remarkable Sockeye fishery in Osoyoos Lake. This Columbia River stock is starting to return in record breaking numbers thanks to the hard work of the Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries Department and DFO. We are nearing a fishery opening that is forecast to be a record run of Sockeye with over 300,000 Sockeye returning to the Okanagan watershed!
We are looking at a two week sport fishery opening to start and then a possible extension to a full month. Keep an eye on the DFO Freshwater Salmon Fishing Regulations for opening date.
Targeting these fish from a boat offers a fantastic family fishing experience for everyone to enjoy! The method to fish for these sockeye is simple and requires basic terminal tackle.
Tackle Needed:
- Silver Dodgers (8 & 9 inches long)
- 8-15 inch 20 pound test monofilament leader
- 2-3 inch pink UV hoochies
- Red barbless hook (size 3/0 and 4/0)
- Krill or Shrimp UV Scent
Rigging up your Gear:
- It is important to use shorter leaders between your dodgers and hoochies when Sockeye fishing. Leaders between 8-15 inches is best, 13 inches has proven to me over the years to be the magic length!
- Be sure to use heavy pound test for leader material as Sockeye will chew up the leader line quickly. 15 pound test and over ideal.
- Red hooks work the best hands down when Sockeye fishing; like Kokanee, Sockeye love red and pink colours! Carry size 3/0 and 4/0 hooks in your tackle box, mainly 3/0 hooks work best but sometimes when getting into bigger fish it is nice to be able to switch up to a 4/0.
- Pink hoochies are by far the most proven lure for Sockeye. 2 ½ to 3 inch hoochies work best. Be sure to trim the skirt of the hoochie back enough so the hook point is exposed as this makes for better hook sets.
- Some anglers use bait such as marinated shrimp; however adding scent like Krill or Shrimp onto the hoochie works well and will deliver results.
Trolling Technique:
- Trolling speeds between 1mph up to 1.9mph is the prime.
- “S” Turns will help attract the Sockeye to your lures and entice them to bite. The erratic action the turn creates sometimes triggers the fish to attack your lure.
- The use of “dummy dodgers” or “false flasher” will help lure the sockeye in as these fish are schooling fish.
- When hooked up do not stop the boat as usually if one is following your tackle another may be right behind it. Double headers are a common scenario when Sockeye fishing.
Osoyoos Lake is one of the finest fisheries in BC! This fishery offers a world class bass fishery (small & large mouth), fantastic trout fishing and now a first-rate Sockeye Salmon fishery. A sincere thank you is deserved to the Okanagan Nation Alliance for their hard work and efforts in bringing back this marvelous Sockeye fishery. For more information on how to fish for these Sockeye please check out www.BCFishn.com
Good luck, tight lines & please take a youth fishing!
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.