Kingston's marina is just a short cruise out to one of the best salmon fishing spots in Central Puget Sound. A large underwater ledge creates some major current breaks and concentrates bait, drawing in Chinook, Coho, Pink and Chum Salmon depending on the time of year.
Where is Kingston?
The fishing area is due west of the Kitsap Peninsula's town of Kingston and Apple Cove Point. It's unique geography creates a couple of really good fishing spots, some of which are great to hit on an incoming tide, but most people consider the area as a whole and outgoing tide spot.
Kingston Fishing Seasons
Kingston is in Puget Sound's Marine Area 10 and follows that area's rules and regulations. The seasons fluctuate from year to year, so the best thing to do is sign up for our monthly newsletter to get all the latest season updates (bottom of the page).
Resident Chinook Salmon feed in the Kingston area year round, and we usually see a brief season in the spring. Fishing on or directly around the Bar is the best. Trolling is the most effective here, and focusing on the water column directly off the bottom is what you want to do!
Coho Salmon can be found here starting in the summer, but most of the action occurs during mid-August to September. Fishing throughout the area can be good, and Coho aren't necessarily structure oriented, so they can be be found everywhere from the top of the Bar out into the shipping lanes to the East.
Chinook Salmon are a big hit during the summer salmon season. This area has been opening in mid-July for a few days a week. Kingston is usually one of the go-to spots in Puget Sound. Mooching and trolling are equally popular here!
Pink Salmon will flood the area on odd numbered years (2027, 2029) and can be caught everywhere in the area. If you're specifically targeting Pinks, try trolling in the deeper water off the edge of the Kingston Bar, they are a schooling fish and love that 25' to 80' zone in open water.
Chum Salmon will migrate down the west side of Puget Sound in October and November, while not a super popular fishery, they are fun to catch and a great option for fall. Fish a Pro-Troll Lighted Flasher with a hot pink or purple mini hoochie.
Kingston Fishing Map
Fishing at Kingston
Tides are a big factor in with the Kingston area. I prefer fishing Kingston on days where there are stronger tides with bigger tidal swings. If you have anything over an 8' exchange you're going to probably find some good fishing here.
The Inner Bar is a deep trough between the Kingston Bar and the mainland. It collects tons of bait on a strong outgoing tide and usually there a bunch of salmon that come in here to feed. Extremely popular with moochers, but you will find plenty of people trolling here as well.
The Outer Bar from 100' to 200' tends to be more of an incoming tide spot, and can really produce some great fishing for Chinook and Coho. Very popular with the trollers.
Seattle Fishing Co. Salmon Gear
Trolling is the most popular salmon fishing technique, but there are some people that find really good success mooching and jigging as well. Check out our recommendations below, or if you want to see our full selection, visit our Saltwater Salmon Page.
Kingston Trolling Gear
- Pro-Troll Lighted 11" Flasher,
- P-Line CFX Fluorocarbon Leader
- Gibbs Skinny G Spoon
- Gibbs Highliner Flasher,
- P-Line CFX Fluorocarbon Leader
- Silver Horde Ace Hi Fly
- Oki Tackle Big Shooter Flasher,
- Silver Horde Coho Killer Spoon
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
