About Victoria Shoal

Victoria Shoal is an outer, exposed rock pinnacle in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, sitting within DFO subarea 17-2 with depths ranging from 20 to 120 feet. The rocky structure holds a resident population of lingcod, which peak from February through April, alongside quillback, China, copper, and black rockfish that hold on the pinnacle year-round. Anglers work the rock with metal jigs, swimbaits, and leadhead jigs for lingcod and rockfish, dropping to the deeper edges where the structure breaks toward 120 feet. Chinook salmon move through from May to August and coho from June to October, both taken by trolling anchovy, herring, hootchies, and spoons across the exposed water above the shoal. The pinnacle's outer exposure and depth range make jigging the dominant approach for bottom species, with bait fishing on live greenling, herring, or squid supporting the lingcod effort.