Vancouver Island's Incredible Herring Spawn: A Must-See Nature Phenomenon

When Spring arrives on Vancouver Island, one of the most amazing spectacles of nature takes place: herring spawn! The Pacific Herring spawn was on our bucket list of experiences since we moved to the Island. Corey even made a point to learn cast fishing in the hope to pickle a couple of jars of herring for ourselves.

For me, this was an opportunity to witness the changing colours of the ocean, observe wildlife congregating, and explore Vancouver Island and Comox Valley a little more.

Herring eggs clinging to kelp at low tide

In the weeks leading up to the spawn we were tracking progress through various groups and local updates, and a week out we started to pop by Goose Spit and Kye Bay, knowing it would happen soon.

Locals and many from all around the island make a point to flock to the area to witness thousands of tiny silverfish make their seasonal voyage.

I personally think it is one of Canada's most unique wildlife events. The migration changes the colour of the pacific ocean surrounding the coast, creating a stunning gradient that attracts wildlife on land and water.

Learn the Basics of Herring Spawning.

Herring spawn is a natural phenomenon to behold. The female fish release a huge number of eggs into the water which are then fertilized by the males. As they mature, the once-tiny herring can reach up to five inches long, forming enormous schools. This amazing event provides essential nutrition for an array of organisms inhabiting Vancouver Island's waters and shorelines.

Find the Best Times and Locations to View It.

The herring spawn can start as early as March and possibly hold off until May. The reality is that there isn’t an exact week to plan for, all the action can happen in a 2 to 4-week window and will vary from year to year. We caught the majority of the action on the east side of the Island in mid-March, while the west side (Tofino area), saw spawning weeks before.

If you can get out on the water to catch the incredible sight, areas like Ladysmith Harbour or Telegraph Cove are a great option; or onshore, visit beaches in Courtenay Bay, often near Denman Island there has been activity in past years.

You can even take a whale-watching tour to witness the herring spawn up close! Many wildlife photographers make a point to stay tuned to local wildlife groups as whales follow the spawn and can pop up at any of the local beaches. We didn’t luck out but know that they were spotted this year.

We stayed mostly in the Comox area and drove to Nanoose after reading on a local wildlife group that the spawn was close to shore at one of the small bays, and it didn’t disappoint.

The water was filled with fish hidden in the milky water, attracting sea lions, eagles, and other birds.

Understand How It Affects Other Species.

Not only does the herring spawn bring a remarkable change to the water, but it also plays an important role in sustaining other species in the region. As large numbers of herring arrive to mate and lay their eggs, they attract predators such as humpback and killer whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises, Pacific cod, seabirds and more! In addition to providing these creatures with sustenance during the spawn, their presence helps to sustain Canada’s multi-billion dollar fishing industry.

Fishing and Pickled Herring

For Corey, the arrival of herring meant learning new fishing techniques, immersing himself in nature, and learning how to process and preserve his catch. On one successful outing, he caught enough herring for us to try our hand at making pickled herring. As someone of Polish heritage, I have been eating pickled herring my whole life and highly recommend it if you have a chance!

Tips for Photographers & Videographers Wanting to Document the Herring Run

If you are a photographer or videographer and thinking about coming to shoot the herring spawn, here is what I learned documenting it:

Timing of the Herring Run

I have to admit, it was a challenge to shoot this event. It is elusive and meant that we went to the beach more than once with little success. Or when we arrived, looking from shore it can be very difficult to see the full scope of the spawning. Or we were at work when there were Orca sightings from the beach.

For this reason, we ended up leaving out area to drive to a drone-safe spot so I could get a view from above. Once the mini drone was in the air I was finally able to see the shocking shift in colour and full size of the spawn.

I would recommend looking at local tour options that can take you out on the water, taking you to the spawning rather than chasing it along the coast, unless you have the time. Getting out onto the water means you may see wildlife, such as whales, up close.

Gear to Consider

Gear-wise, most animals will not be close to you. Be prepared to need a lens that is meant for distance. I do not consider myself a wildlife photographer and have not invested in a lens that would be great for these moments. I was shooting with a 70-200, and I found it didn’t let me get many of the shots I could have if I had a more appropriate lens. There are no gear rental shops around Comox Valley, so come prepared.

Drones are not permitted in large areas around the island due to airports, a military base, and wildlife. Before planning to fly your drone, make sure to check your maps. We had to leave our town to enter a safe area.