Washington Fishing Reports
Washington Fishing Reports
Washington State Fishing Report - Mid-February 2026
February is really turning into a great fishing month, and we've got plenty to talk about in our new Fishing Report Series! Every region in Washington has some really good fishing going on right now, so whether you're looking to get out on Puget Sound, catch and release a trophy Steelhead, head to the beach for clamming, or find that hot trout fishing spot on a local lake, there's plenty to choose from!
Read more
Eastern Washington's Early Season Lakes open March 1st
Eastern Washington is blessed with some of the most beautiful lakes in the Pacific Northwest. While the region is much more arid than what we're used to over in the Seattle area, fishing in early spring on lakes surrounded by breathtaking rock formations, sunny skies and the smell of sage in the air makes it a great place to spend a weekend fishing.
Read more
Cowlitz River Smelt Fishing Reopens Saturday February 21st
Smelt fishing season continues on the lower Cowlitz River this Saturday! The first opener of the 2026 season was on Wednesday and while sample surveys in the Columbia looked good, everyone was a little nervous when the state reported just days earlier that there were nearly no smelt in the Cowlitz itself. Still, anglers showed up and found that they had just arrived! Plenty of limits were found by the guys fishing on Wednesday.
Read more
Halibut Fishing in Sekiu, Port Angeles & Sequim opens April 2nd
Halibut fishing in Washington's Strait of Juan de Fuca draws a big crowd every season, and and with all the big Halibut swimming around on the banks from Sekiu to Sequim, it's exciting to think about how good this 2026 fishing season will be!
Read more
Puget Sound Halibut Season opens April 2nd
Inner Puget Sound looks like it will open for our annual Halibut season this year on April 2nd. Harvest quota has been signed off for Marine Areas 5-13 at 79,772 pounds for the season, and managers are working on the final sign off to give us a pretty respectable season.
Read more
Coastal Bottomfish Season opens March 14th
Bottomfishing on the Washington Coast is the first big season opener for our saltwater season, and all four of our ocean marine areas are opening back up for the season on March 14th. Vast expanses of ocean will open up for Lingcod and Rockfish fishing for a 7 month season, and while most of the effort happens from May to September, there are plenty of people that hit the ocean early in the spring during the fair weather days. Each area of Washington's Pacific Ocean hosts some great fishing and unique scenery. The bottom fish aggregate limit is 9, including up to 2 Lingcod and 7 Rockfish. Cabezon and Greenling are also on the table as part of the limit! So whether you're a couple hours away from Ilwaco and the mouth of the Columbia River, looking at charter options in Westport, or seeking an adventure on the rugged North Coast from Neah Bay and La Push, rejoice! Washington's saltwater fishing season is about to begin! Check out the WDFW Halibut & Bottomfish Page for season highlights Black Rockfish are a primary target for Washington Bottomfish anglers. Fishing for ocean Lingcod and Rockfish in early spring March and April offer up a real mix of weather and ocean conditions, we will get severe storms to some of the most perfectly flat ocean conditions, and this can change daily. Most anglers that participate in the spring bottom fish season will keep a close eye on the marine forecast and when a window opens up to hit the ocean safely, they'll jump on the opportunity. But as spring progresses, the fair weather days become more common and expected. Early season means a fresh chance to fish over Lingcod and Rockfish stocks that haven't seen any angling pressure in months, and all the prime zones produce some great catches. Charter boats out of Neah Bay, La Push, Westport and Ilwaco will offer up some great trips and usually head back to port with boat limits of both Lings and Rockfish. Lingcod fishing with All River & Saltwater Charters in Westport Marine Area 1 - Mouth of Columbia River, Illwaco Apart from the deepwater Lingcod fishing that happens later in the season, lots of anglers from both boat and shore fish the North Jetty of the Columbia River. There are a good number of large Black Rockfish and Lings here. Like other river mouths of the Pacific Coast, it is super important to be aware of the bar conditions (current and future) when heading out for the day. Marine Area 1 published regulations and emergency rule changes. Cape Disappointment near the mouth of the Columbia River - Marine Area 1 Marine Area 2 - Westport Westport is the most popular bottomfishing port on the Washington Coast, and some major hauls are brought back to the harbor every day that the ocean allows. Near town, the Westport Jetty can offers a close-in option for shore and small boat anglers, and outside the entrance to Grays Harbor, the charter and private boats spread out to countless bottomfish spots. Marine Area 2 published regulations and emergency rule changes. Westport Marina, home to the largest fishing charter fleet in Washington - Marine Area 2 Marine Area 3 - La Push A small harbor located just inside the Quillayute River, once you pass the jetties, you're smack dab into the wild Pacific. With vast expanses of Lingcod and Rockfish habitat to explore. Typically a popular choice for mid- to large-sized fishing boats that are equipped to fish in open ocean waters. Marine Area 3 published regulations and emergency rule changes. James Island at the entrance to La Push - Marine Area 3 Marine Area 4 - Neah Bay Neah Bay is one of the more remote areas of Washington State, but offers some amazing coastline to explore. Whether your vessel is a 30' offshore boat or a 14' kayak, this is one of the best places for everyone to experience Lingcod and Rockfish fishing. Good fishing for both can be found just outside the harbor, but fishing just gets better and better the further out you go. The area has different regulations inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca versus outside, and depth restrictions for bottomfishing at certain times of the year. Marine Area 4 published regulations and emergency rule changes. The rugged coastline of Cape Flattery near Neay Bay - Marine Area 4 Seattle Fishing Co. Rockfish & Lingcod Gear There are a few setups that will help you catch Ocean Rockfish and Lingcod with ease, we have a few rigging diagrams to make things easy. Check out our full line of Lingcod & Rockfish Gear Deepwater Lingcod Gear Much of the offshore environment holds that hardpan rocky structure that Lingcod love. During portions of the season, fishing for Lingcod is allowed the offshore zone, and with some areas exceeding 600' in depth, it's deep-sea fishing with heavy gear. The best deepwater areas hold trophy Lingcod. Jigging with heavy jigs is the most common technique. Copper Pipe Jigs 16-40 ounces Fisherman's Gold Electric Eel Jigs 16-32 ounces Gibbs Cod Jigs 16-26 ounces Kalin's Big-N Grubs 10" with Lead Jighead 16-32 ounces Inshore and Nearshore Lingcod Gear Closer to shore, rockpiles, reefs and the complex and rugged coastline offers good Lingcod fishing in the shallow areas just off the kelp out to 120' or 180', depending on the depth restrictions in the area. We mostly fish with medium heavy rods and jigs up to 12 ounces. Drifting and jigging being the most effective technique. Fisherman's Gold Electric Eel Jigs 4-8 ounces P-Line Laser Minnow Jigs 3-6 ounces Copper Pipe Jigs 8 ounces P-Line Twintail Squid 7" & 9" with Lead Jighead 4-12 ounces Light Tackle Rockfish Gear Most of the Rockfish fishing is located in the shallows, either inside the kelp, near it, or around rocky structure in 25' to 100'. Light tackle can make this a fun part of the day, and usually jigs from 1 to 3 ounces will perfectly match the size of forage that Rockfish normally prefer. Fisherman's Gold Electric Eel Jigs 1-2 ounces P-Line Twintail Squid 4.5" with Lead Jighead 1-3 ounces Shrimp Flies Luhr Jensen Crippled Herring Jigs 1-3 ounces P-Line Laser Minnow Jigs 1-2 ounces Canary Rockfish caught near Neah Bay, Washington
Read more
Cowlitz River Smelt Fishing One Day Opener on Feb 18th
Cowlitz River anglers will be able to dip-net for Smelt on Wednesday, February 18th from 8am to 1pm. This historic fishery has been a local favorite for generations, and a great opportunity for shore-bound anglers in the Castle Rock to Kelso area of the Lower Cowlitz River.
Read more
More Razor Clam digs announced starting on Valentine's Day 2026
Razor Clam digging on the Washington Coast has been pretty good this season! More dates are on their way through February and March, so if you haven't had the experience of hitting the beach yet, there's plenty of opportunities headed your way. We are really excited about the return to daylight digs as well!
Read more
Snoqualmie River & Tokul Creek Steelhead Extended to March 1st
Seattle area Steelhead anglers know the Snoqualmie River very well, it's one of our closest options during the winter season. Recently, the state has announced that is will discontinue Chambers Creek strain winter steelhead plants at the Tokul Creek Hatchery, meaning we have only a few more shots at catching these "hatchery brats" locally.
Read more
Central Coast Steelhead Seasons set for Winter 2025-26
We've all been carefully watching and waiting to hear news of a 2025-2026 Winter Steelhead season on the coast, and after a general announcement last week, we've got a little more clarity on exactly when and where we'll be allowed to harvest hatchery steelhead and target those trophy Central Coast Steelhead for catch & release.
Read more
Willapa River & Coast Steelhead Seasons set for Winter 2025-26
Southwest Washington is a region with some of the best Steelhead fishing rivers in the state, and one river system with some really impressive hatchery Steelhead returns, and some of the largest returns of Wild Steelhead, will see a pretty good winter season this year.
Read more
North Coast Steelhead Seasons set for Winter 2025-26
Forks, Washington is one of the great centers of Steelhead fishing in the world, and we have just heard wind of the upcoming 2025-26 winter steelhead fishing season! The Hoh, Bogachiel, Sol Duc, Calawah Rivers and many of the smaller rivers and creeks in the area will have a season. Expect single-point barbless hooks, no bait and careful catch and release guidelines to be in place for most of the season. Some of these rivers like the Hoh and Bogachiel will have some good retention opportunities for those earlier returning hatchery steelhead. North Coast/Olympic Peninsula rivers and tributaries: steelhead and trout rules update November 26, 2025 Actions: Updates wild trout release requirements. Updates game fish (including trout and steelhead) season closing dates. Updates game fish (including trout and steelhead) bait restrictions. Updates steelhead daily limits. Effective dates: Dec. 1, 2025–April 30, 2026. Species affected: All species. Locations, specific dates, and rule changes (shows all changes to rules listed in 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet): Big River(Clallam County), outside Olympic National Park: Jan. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Bogachiel River (Clallam County), from mouth to Olympic National Park boundary: From mouth to Highway 101 Bridge: Dec. 1–31: Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Jan. 1–March 31: All species: Bait prohibited. Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–30: All species: Closed. From Highway 101 Bridge to Olympic National Park boundary: Dec. 1–March 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–30: All species: Closed. Calawah River (Clallam County): From mouth to Highway 101 Bridge: Dec. 1–31: Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Jan. 1–March 31: All species: Bait prohibited. Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–30: All species: Closed. From Highway 101 Bridge to the confluence of the north and south forks: Dec. 1–March 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–30: All species: Closed. Calawah River, South Fork (Clallam County), from mouth to Olympic National Park boundary: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Cedar Creek(Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Clallam River (Clallam County): Dec. 1–Jan. 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Dickey River(Clallam County), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the east and west forks: Dec. 1–31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Jan. 1–March 31: All species: Bait prohibited. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–30: All species: Closed. Dickey River, east and west forks (Clallam County): Dec. 1–March 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Goodman Creek (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Hoh River (Jefferson County): From Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Oxbow Campground boat launch: Dec. 1–31: Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Jan. 1–March 31: All species: Bait prohibited. Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–15: All species: Closed. From the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgan’s Crossing boat launch: Dec. 1–March 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–15: All species: Closed. From Morgan’s Crossing boat launch to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh River: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. March 1–April 15: All species: Closed. Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. March 1–April 15: All species: Closed. Hoko River (Clallam County): From mouth to 100 feet downstream of the hatchery fish ladder: Dec. 1–March 15: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. From the hatchery fish ladder to the upper Hoko Bridge: Dec. 1–March 15: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Kalaloch Creek (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Lyre River (Clallam County), from the mouth to falls near river mile three: Dec. 1–Jan. 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Mosquito Creek (Jefferson County), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Goodman 3000 Mainline Bridge: Dec. 1–Feb. 28: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Pysht River (Clallam County): Dec. 1–Jan. 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Quillayute River (Clallam County), outside of Olympic National Park boundary: Dec. 1–31: Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Jan. 1–March 31: All species: Bait prohibited. Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two. Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. April 1–30: All species: Closed. Sekiu River (Clallam County), from mouth to forks: Dec. 1–Jan. 31: Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. Sol Duc River (Clallam County): From mouth to concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery: Jan. 1–March 31: All species: Bait prohibited. April 1–30: All species: Closed. From concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery to Highway 101 Bridge upstream of Klahowya Campground: April 1–30: All species: Closed. Thunder Creek (Clallam County), from mouth to D2400 Road: Dec. 1–April 30: All species: Closed. Reason for action: These rule changes implement permanent rules adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on Nov. 14. Additional information: Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go. Information contact: Coastal Region, TeamMontesano@dfw.wa.gov, 360-249-4628. Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information. Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
Read more