Point Wilson is a popular salmon fishing spot where Puget Sound ends and the Strait of Juan de Fuca begins. Strong currents at the lighthouse on this sandy point of land push incoming Chinook Salmon into a tight area for a few hours each day, giving the locals at Porth Townsend a chance to catch them from their small boats.
Where is Point Wilson?
The Point Wilson Lighthouse sits on the waters edge at Port Townsend’s Fort Warden State Park. A popular place for shore anglers to try their luck, there is a deep drop off within casting distance from the beach. The fishing area itself is pretty small, along the south shore of the park out to the point. Most people that fish here use small “kicker” boats, usually 14 feet to 18 feet long, which can maneuver easily in the tightly packed fleet. Mooching is the most common method of fishing here, and trolling is typically not possible with all the boats drifting.
Point Wilson Fishing Map
Point Wilson Fishing Seasons
Point Wilson marks the boundary of Marine Area 6 (Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) and Marine Area 9 (Puget Sound’s Admiralty Inlet). For the most part, the Chinook Salmon spot is inside the point in Marine Area 9 and usually occurs during mid to late July. Once Coho and Pink Salmon migrate into the area, anglers find a much broader area away from the shore to catch salmon.
For quick reference, here is the Marine Area 9 Regulations Page and Marine Area 9 Emergency Regulations
Seattle Fishing Co. Salmon Gear
Mooching and jigging is popular here, and most of the salmon are caught very close to the beach. Check out our recommendations below, or if you want to see our full selection, visit our Saltwater Salmon Page.
Mooching Setup for Puget Sound
- Fisherman’s Gold Coated Mooching Sinker
- Gamakatsu Herring Leader
- Green Label Herring
- Brine N Bite
- bait knife
- bait cutting guide
