Salmon Bank

Salmon Bank is a shallow sand flat off the southern edge of San Juan Island waters, sitting within DFO subarea 19-5 just across from Victoria. The bank rises from surrounding deeper water into a broad plateau holding between 50 and 180 feet, creating a current break that concentrates baitfish along its edges. Chinook Salmon run through from June to August, followed by Coho Salmon peaking from June into September, with Chum Salmon filling in through August to November. Tidal flow sweeps across the flat on both the flood and ebb, and fish tend to stack along the drop-offs where the sand transitions into deeper ground. The mid-exposure position leaves the bank workable through much of the season while still drawing migrating salmon holding on the structure.