Birch Bay Fishing Prospects

[G-Man]

I'll be up at Birch Bay this weekend and was wondering if anyone had some good information on fishing the area. I wouldn't mind putting a few true cod in the cooler along with a salmon or two. Just not sure if the bay area will put out fish or if I need to run to the islands for the best action. Any input will be appreciated.

[Rollin with Rolland]

Alright G-man....in my neck of the woods (or water in this case)!! First off, I have never fished Birch Bay, but I launch from gooseberry (just a little south) all the time, and fish the northern Islands quite a bit. Number one....if you are a crabber, I would definitely drop some pots up there. I never have (that is technically 7 north), but usually do on the northern portion of 7 south. 7 north JUST OPENED for crab on the 13th, so pickings should be GOOD. (i'll be up there Wed.).

As far as fishing, I'm assuming salmon is #1? Like I said, I can't say much for Birch Bay itself, I've never had any reason to go up there. There is still FAIR chinook fishing on the north/northeast side of Sucia Island (danger reef), where the winning chinook (around 26lbs I believe) for the Bellingham Salmon derby came from (2nd time in three years). Also, Sandy point just opened for salmon on the 16th as well, that may be worth a try. I have seen people troll around the northwest side of Lummi as well (near the red can buoy). Maybe a line from Sandy to Lummi?? I don't know for sure. I did hook a nice chinook near Clark in Rosario, but it is a lot of up and down, tough DR fishing. Plenty of rockfish /cabezon still near Sucia, Lummi, and Clark/Barns. Personally, i would hit the north Islands (Parker Reef also) for some chinook and rockfish. Just my take, i'm no expert, but have been in that area quite a bit this summer. Good luck... (or if you want to get real adventurous and the water is calm, get a canadian license and hit the westside of the Strait of Georgia!!)

Oh yeah, I don't think to many TRUE COD around these days, maybe up there but i have never know/heard about anybody getting one the last 4 years....

[G-Man]

Rollin with Rolland - Thanks for the info. I managed to download a nautical chart of the area off the NOAA website and can see the areas you mentioned. I'll most likely stay North and may venture as far as Sucia Island and Parker Reef. Alden Bank looks promising as does Point Roberts, I'll let the weather and the bait guide me this time out. I do plan on dropping a few crab pots in the area as well, we'll see if perch carcasses can out crab salmon/trout carcasses.

[Rollin with Rolland]

Sounds like you should have fun exploring.

I fished the extreme south end of Alden Bank this year for halibut, but no luck. That is a big open water bank, has to be fish around it somewhere...