Fishing on the Mukilteo Pier
Rebuilt as part of the new Mukilteo ferry terminal project, this modern fishing pier gives Snohomish County anglers a genuine public access point on Possession Sound. Between salmon, flounder, and some of the most popular crabbing in the area, Mukilteo Pier has quickly become a go-to spot for locals looking to fish without a boat. With great views of Possession Sound, nearby pubs, and a steady stream of ferries coming and going in the background, it offers a lively but laid-back waterfront setting that makes for a great backdrop for a fishing trip.
Where is Mukilteo Pier?
Mukilteo Pier sits at 910 Front Street in Mukilteo, right next to the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry terminal on Possession Sound, part of WDFW's Marine Area 8-2. The pier replaced an older Port of Everett fishing dock and was rebuilt alongside the new ferry terminal, with some materials from the original structure reused in its construction. The surrounding waterfront has a classic small-town ferry-dock feel, with lighthouse views, pubs, and restaurants nearby, and the pier itself is open to the public from dawn to dusk for fishing, crabbing, and sightseeing.
From downtown Seattle, Mukilteo is roughly 30 to 40 minutes north via I-5 and Highway 526, making it a comparable drive to Edmonds, just a bit further along the same stretch of coastline. Parking near the pier can be tight, since the ferry employee lot is off-limits to the public and gets patrolled closely, so it's worth planning to park in one of the designated public areas a short walk away, especially on busy weekends.
Mukilteo Pier Map
What You Can Catch at Mukilteo Pier
Mukilteo Pier is best known among locals as a solid flounder and bottomfish spot, with starry flounder, sculpin, and the occasional Irish lord rounding out a typical day's catch. Salmon fishing is possible here as well, with coho and pink salmon passing through Possession Sound on their way to the Stillaguamish and Snohomish rivers, though the pier isn't considered a prime salmon spot compared to dedicated salmon piers like Edmonds, so consider it a bonus rather than the main event. Crabbing is genuinely popular at Mukilteo, with Dungeness crab the primary target during open seasons, and squid jigging draws anglers to the pier after dark during the cooler months. Because rockfish retention has been closed in most Puget Sound marine areas in recent years, flounder and crab tend to be the most consistent targets here, so checking current WDFW rules before keeping any bottomfish is especially important at this pier.
Mukilteo Pier Fishing Seasons
Salmon: Most Puget Sound piers, including Mukilteo, are open to salmon fishing year-round, and coho and pink salmon move through Possession Sound in late summer and early fall as they head toward the Stillaguamish and Snohomish systems, with pink salmon showing up in especially good numbers during odd-numbered years. Resident Chinook feed in the area year round and are also caught jigging with metal jigs like Buzz Bombs, Puget Pounders and P-Line Laser Minnows.
Squid: Squid jigging at Mukilteo is best in the cooler months, typically fall and winter, when squid gather around the lit pier after dark on their way into Puget Sound to spawn. Check out our full line of Puget Sound squid jigs.
Crab: Crabbing is one of the most popular activities at Mukilteo Pier during Marine Area 8-2's open summer season, with Dungeness crab the main target; always confirm current WDFW season dates, gear rules, and catch record card requirements before dropping a pot here. Use one of our Okuma Crab Snare Spinning Combos to long-distance cast out your favorite crab snare.
Flounder: Flounder fishing is the most dependable, year-round option at Mukilteo Pier, with starry flounder and other bottomfish providing consistent action even outside of salmon and crab seasons. Use a sliding egg sinker setup with a chunk of bait or a Berkley Gulp! 2” Sandworm.
Fishing on the Mukilteo Pier
For flounder and other bottomfish, a simple bottom rig baited with shrimp or a small piece of herring fished right along the bottom is generally all it takes. Crabbers should bring a pot rated for the depth near the pier and be ready to check current Marine Area 8-2 regulations closely, since illegal or unmarked pots are a common complaint at busy public piers like this one, and staying within legal limits protects the fishery for everyone. Because public parking near the ferry terminal is limited and the employee lot is strictly enforced, arriving early and being prepared to walk a few minutes from designated parking will save some frustration. With its easy access from Seattle, dependable flounder fishing, and lively crabbing scene, Mukilteo Pier is a solid, low-key option for anglers looking to spend an afternoon on Possession Sound.
