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51-acre Degnen Bay fishing map with contributor-qualified CHS NONNA survey contours (100% measured and assessed), four measured spots, exact herring and labeled adjacent salmon evidence, two habitat calendars, federal launch/wharf access and current DFO Area 17 guidance. The water tops out around 25 ft. The depth chart comes from CHS bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
The drawn water covers 51 acres wrapped in 1.7 miles of bank. With a 1.7 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 79% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.5 mi with a 0.3-mi widest point. If the bite dies, Greenway Lake is 5 mi to the southwest.
Early season pacific coho salmon use the shallows, holding in 4 to 25 ft. Even in summer they hold at 3 to 25 ft; winter keeps them in 8 to 25 ft. The chart's best answer is Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder — point, 9 ft, prime for summer. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a small hoochie behind a flasher or a slim spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder (9 ft) | Small silver spoon, Slim baitfish fly |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder (9 ft) | Small hoochie behind a flasher, Slim spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder (9 ft) | Small spinner where legal, Compact spoon |
| Winter | 8 to 25 ft | midday | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Slow small spoon, Compact trolling fly |
Spring chum salmon on Degnen Bay hold shallow, usually 4 to 25 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 1 to 25 ft in summer, 6 to 25 ft once it turns cold. Put Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket first on the milk run — a channel edge near 25 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a chartreuse or pink hoochie or a bright spoon.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Chrome spoon, Compact baitfish jig |
| Summer | 1 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Chartreuse or pink hoochie, Bright spoon |
| Fall | 1 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder (9 ft) | Bright spinner, Pink or chartreuse jig |
| Winter | 6 to 25 ft | midday | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Compact vertical jig |
In spring, pink salmon run shallow here, mostly 3 to 25 ft. Summer keeps them at 1 to 25 ft, and they winter in 6 to 25 ft. Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder is the standout, a point at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for summer pink salmon. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a pink or orange casting spoon or a small hoochie most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Small chrome spoon, Compact herring-pattern jig |
| Summer | 1 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder (9 ft) | Pink or orange casting spoon, Small hoochie |
| Fall | 1 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Small bright spoon, Pink jig |
| Winter | 6 to 25 ft | midday | Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket (25 ft) | Small vertical jig |
Structure-wise the chart holds 7 features, led in depth by Degnen Bay mouth depth pocket at roughly 25 ft.
Access data: Regional District of Nanaimo - Electoral Area B Recreation and Parks Master Plan 2025. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Degnen Bay specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Degnen Bay is about 25 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from CHS bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target pacific coho salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon on Degnen Bay.
Degnen Bay west entrance shoulder is the top-rated area: a point in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for pacific coho salmon in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For pacific coho salmon, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Degnen Bay is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Greenway Lake 5 mi · Holden Lake 6 mi · Priest Lake 6 mi · Quennell Lake 6 mi · Michael Lake 8 mi · Beck Lake 9 mi · Nanaimo Harbour 9 mi · Blind Lake 11 mi · Timberland Lake 12 mi · Mckay Lake 13 mi · Cathers Lake 13 mi · Stocking Lake 13 mi
See how Degnen Bay stacks up: best pink salmon lakes in British Columbia · best chum salmon lakes in British Columbia · best pacific coho salmon lakes in British Columbia
Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: CHS NONNA 10 (CHS Chart Datum (CD); 100% measured, 0% source-interpolated). How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.