Saltwater Fishing
The sheltered waters of Zeballos Inlet are not immune to stormy weather, but for the most part the water is calm year-round and suitable for boats of all sizes. Bring your own boat or hire a local charter to fish the waters of Nootka Sound.
From Zeballos, it’s a 45 minute run to the open Pacific at the entrance to Esperanza Inlet. The north side, near Catala Island, is a favourite spot for sports fishers looking for winter springs or summer runs of coho. Fishers head off-shore for halibut and red snapper, canary cod and rockfish can be jigged almost anywhere in the inlet.
In the spring prawns and Dungeness crab can be caught right out in front of the village.
Freshwater Fishing
Fly fishermen keep returning to the Zeballos and Kaouk Rivers to fish fine runs of steelhead, cut-throat and rainbow trout. Cut-throat trout up to 5 pounds have been caught in the small lakes along the gravel road into Zeballos. Dolly Varden and rainbow trout are also plentiful in Wolf, Anutz, Atluck and Hustan Lakes.
Resources Links:
Recreational Fishing – Pacific Region
Fishing Licences – Pacific Region
Fishing Regulations
DFO – Packaging & Transporting
Anglers Atlas
Tide Predictions for Zeballos
Marine Weather for British Columbia
Sport Fishing Packaging Guidelines
Fish BC
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
BC Federation of Drift Fishers