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Fishing near Port Alberni, BC

9 curated fishing spots within 45 km of Port Alberni, what's biting in October, the rig to tie and the licence you need. For today's best tide and weather window, open the live plan.

Spots

• Harbour Quay docks, Port Alberni

  Shore · 1 km

  Docks and pilings over 20–40 ft at the head of the inlet.

• Clutesi Haven Marina ramp

  Boat · 2 km

  Ramp at the head of Alberni Inlet

• Alberni Inlet (Nahmint to China Creek)

  Boat · 10 km

  Deep fjord with rock points; fish stage along the shoreline in 30–80 ft.

• Deep Bay / Mapleguard Point

  Boat · 26 km

  Sand spit with 40–120 ft shelf and strong tide line at the point

• Qualicum Beach / Qualicum River mouth

  Shore · 28 km

  Long gravel beach and estuary drop-off.

• French Creek Harbour ramp

  Boat · 35 km

  Ramp for the Parksville flats, Ballenas Islands and the Strait

• Hornby Island / Flora Islet

  Boat · 35 km

  Rock walls and reefs 40–200 ft; sixgill shark country

• French Creek / Parksville flats

  Boat · 35 km

  Broad sand and gravel flats 60–150 ft with a tide line off the creek mouth.

• Rathtrevor Beach

  Shore · 40 km

  Huge sand flat; 1 km of beach at low tide

What's biting in October

• Lingcod
• Coho salmon
• Chum salmon
• Sea-run cutthroat
• Surfperch (pile, striped, redtail)
• Flounder / sole
• Dungeness crab
• Clams (manila, littleneck, butter, cockle, varnish)
• Geoduck and horse clam
• Pacific oyster
• Mussels (blue, California)
• Scallops (rock, pink/spiny, weathervane)
• Sea urchin (red, green, purple)
• Sea cucumber
• Octopus
• Squid
• Goose barnacles
• Giant barnacles
• Limpets
• Sand dollar
• Sea star
• Abalone
• Moon snail and whelks

Rig to tie

Rig library ↗

Heavy jig

1. 1Main line 50–65 lb braid
2. 2Swivel Size 1 barrel or ball-bearing swivel
3. 3Leader 40 lb mono or fluorocarbon, 45 cm
4. 4Jig 4–8 oz Point Wilson Dart, Gibbs Minnow, or 6–8 in swimbait on a 3–6 oz head
5. 5Hook Single 6/0 siwash or the jig's treble; crimp the barbs for easy release

How to tie and fish it

Tie it:Braid to swivel with a double uni or Palomar. Leader to jig with a loop knot so it swings.

Fish it:Drift over the pinnacle at slack. Keep the jig in the bottom 3 m, lift a metre and let it fall on a tight line. A ling follows and grabs on the drop; reel steadily to the surface without pumping.

Licences and rules

Fishing licences across Canada

Questions

Where can I fish near Port Alberni?

CastWhen lists 9 curated spots within 45 km of Port Alberni, including Harbour Quay docks, Port Alberni, Clutesi Haven Marina ramp, Alberni Inlet (Nahmint to China Creek).

What is biting near Port Alberni in October?

In October the in-season species at nearby spots include Lingcod, Coho salmon, Chum salmon, Sea-run cutthroat, Surfperch (pile, striped, redtail).

Do I need a fishing licence near Port Alberni?

Yes. Tidal waters need a federal DFO tidal licence and fresh water needs a provincial licence. See the CastWhen licences page for direct links.