About Atkins Reef

Atkins Reef is a rock pinnacle in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, sitting within DFO subarea 17-1 at moderate exposure with depths running 40 to 135 feet. The structure holds a strong groundfish community, including Lingcod that peak from February through April alongside resident Copper, Quillback, China, and Canary Rockfish that hold near the rock year-round. Lingcod respond to jigging with metal jigs, swimbaits, and leadhead jigs, while bait fishing with live greenling, whole herring, or squid works the same broken bottom. Chinook Salmon move through from May to August and Coho from June to October, both taken by trolling anchovy, herring, hootchies, and spoons over the pinnacle's edges. Working jigs and baits close to the rock structure across the 40-to-135-foot range keeps gear in the productive zone for both bottom species and passing salmon.