Washington Fishing Reports
Washington Fishing Reports
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
Puget Sound Crabbing Season Fall & Winter 2025 - Exciting Seasons Announced!
Like in years past, a late crabbing season was announced, and the areas that will be open will have a generous season. No doubt, the air will be crisp, additional clothing layers needed, and more attention to the weather report before heading out, but the bounty is there!
Read more
Hiking and Fishing at Whistle Lake near Anacortes
If you find yourself in the Anacortes area and are looking for a fun outdoor activity, hiking and fishing around Whistle Lake is one of the hidden treasures of the area. While most people head straight to nearby Deception Pass State Park for the scenery, or nearby stocked lakes like Lake Campbell, Lake Erie and Heart Lake for fishing, this is a unique opportunity to get deep into the woods and away from the crowds.
Read more
Fishing at Glendale Beach on Whidbey Island
A hidden gem on the southeast side of Whidbey Island offers a quiet stretch of beach at Glendale Beach Park Whidbey Island has well over a dozen well known public beaches that offer great access and easy casting to migrating salmon. While Glendale Beach has everything you’d want in a salmon fishing beach, it is somewhat off the beaten path and not widely known. Coho and Pink Salmon are taken from the beach during the summer season by the few visitors that know about it. I’d say it’s a great place to check out if you’re already fishing at Possession Point Bait Co’s Bait Box, Possession Point State Park or Possession Beach Waterfront Park. To get to the park at Glendale Beach, take Humphrey Road south out of Clinton. Just beyond it’s intersection with Glendale Road will be a small gravel parking lot for the park. Fishing at Glendale Beach is a seasonal affair for salmon, although flounder can also be caught here year round. Coho Salmon and Pink Salmon (these only on odd-numbered years) can be found along the eastern shore of Whidbey Island during late summer and early fall. Check fishing regulations before you go. This area fishes best from a few hours before high tide to a few hours after. The beach has a medium gradient, so casting metal jigs is a top choice. Fishing with a bobber and herring can also be a good bet when salmon are migrating through. We recommend a Buzz Bomb 2”, 2.5” or P-Line Laser Minnow 1 ounce. Upgrade your hooks to a single point barbless to stay legal for salmon, the Gamakatsu Big River Open Eye 1/0 is a good option. Buzz Bombs One of the most popular beach fishing lures of all time. You'll see Buzz Bombs used on every beach of Puget Sound. SHOP NOW
Read more
Seattle's Marine Area 10 reopens for Chinook July 24-26
It looks like there is additional quota to reopen Marine Area 10 for Chinook retention this weekend! Thursday July 24 to Saturday July 26.
Read more
Summer Chinook Season Kicks off July 17th in Puget Sound & San Juan Islands
Puget Sound’s biggest salmon opener kicks off on July 17th with Hatchery Chinook retention happening all over. The Sound will be buzzing with fishing boats all on the search for one of our most prized catches of the year. Here’s a quick post to get you up to speed and geared up for the 2025 Puget Sound Summer Chinook Season.
Read more
The Puget Sound 2025 Summer Crabbing Season kicks off on July 3rd
The 2025 crabbing season has been announced, and it's time to start preparing for a full summer of Puget Sound crabbing. The ever-so-popular Dungeness Crab season kicks off this July, we can’t wait to soak some crab pots and have those epic summer seafood feasts with our friends and family! We've published this as a quick guide for Puget Sound, Hood Canal, San Juan Islands and Strait of Juan de Fuca season information, including links to each area's official rules & regulations.
Read more
Seattle’s Marine Area 10 opens to salmon fishing on June 1st
The 2025 salmon season is looking great, with some amazing options for Coho, Chinook and Pink Salmon fishing. While the area opens to salmon fishing on June 1, different salmon rules occur at different times, so let’s break that down!
Read more
Salmon Fishing at Possession Bar
Possession Bar is one of the famed fishing spots of Puget Sound. Annually, it hosts thousands of boaters, all working the vast area in search of Salmon, Lingcod, Flounder, Dungeness Crab and Shrimp. Sealife is abundant here.
Read more
Salmon Fishing at Point No Point
The scene at Point No Point is one of the most diverse, busy, chaotic and fun salmon fishing places in Puget Sound. Uniquely, the Point offers something for everyone, from trollers to moochers, jiggers to shore anglers.
Read more
Salmon Fishing at Point Wilson
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.
Read more
Salmon Fishing at Midchannel Bank
Midchannel Bank located near the entrance to Puget Sound in Admiralty Inlet and one of the better places to catch salmon near Port Townsend, WA. It’s best known as one of the first places in Puget Sound where anglers catch Summer Chinook as they migrate home. Fishing is best when the currents are strongest, making this a challenging yet rewarding salmon fishing spot. Where is Midchannel Bank? Admiralty Inlet is the waterway that connects Central Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan De Fuca, it is narrow and has some of the strongest tidal currents in the region. On the western side of the Inlet, between Port Townsend and Marrowstone Island is a shallow bar called MidChannel Bank. It’s coarse gravel makeup is perfect habitat for Candlefish, one of the top food sources for Chinook Salmon. It holds resident Chinook year round, and is a major feeding area for migratory Chinook as they make their way back to Puget Sound in the summer. For quick reference, here is the Marine Area 9 Regulations Page and Marine Area 9 Emergency Regulations Midchannel Bank Fishing Map Midchannel Bank Fishing Seasons Mid Channel Bank is one of the northernmost fishing areas in Puget Sound’s Marine Area 9. Lately we have had some really great fishing here during the first few weeks of the Puget Sound summer salmon fishing season, but with a quota based season and typically high catch rates, it won’t last all summer. Coho and Pink salmon fishing occurs during late summer and early fall and can be really good in the area as well. Check out Marine Area 9 Regulations and Emergency Rules Fishing at Midchannel Bank Mid Channel Bank runs parallel to the main channel of Admiralty Inlet, and gently slopes from 30’ to a steep dropoff around 120’. It’s typically in the 70’ to 110’ depth zone where most of the fishing occurs, on the eastern drop off of the bank. Moochers, jiggers and some trollers will work shallower areas in 45’ to 70’ and find success. The best tides to fish Mid Channel Bank are an extreme outgoing tide, the larger the tide change the better. Plan on getting there just after high tide and fish all the current through the low tide. Once the tide slacks out and begins to flood, most of the Chinook will scatter and the bite will die. Most of the trollers will start just north of the tide rips at Marrowstone Island Lighthouse and troll northwest towards Port Townsend along the bank, cross currents will push your boat outward, so slightly angle the bow to the west to maintain a good trackline along the contour. It’s amazing how fast the current moves here so concentration and teamwork are a must! Because the primary forage is Sand Lance (Candlefish), all the Chinook will be found within 10’ of the bottom, scouring the gravel looking for food. Regardless of the technique, most people won’t catch salmon unless their gear is close to the bottom. Seattle Fishing Co. Salmon Gear Most people catch their salmon at Mid Channel Bank with downriggers and trolling gear. There is a small contingent of people mooching and jigging on the top of the bar that do really well. Check out our recommendations below, or if you want to see our full selection, visit our Saltwater Salmon Page. Our favorite Midchannel Trolling Gear Pro-Troll Lighted 11" Flasher Gibbs Highliner Flasher Oki Tackle Big Shooter Flasher Silver Horde Coho Killer Spoon Gibbs Skinny G Spoon P-Line CFX Fluorocarbon Leader Krippled Anchovy Helmet Gamakatsu Herring Leader Mooching Gear for Puget Sound Fisherman’s Gold Coated Mooching Sinker Gamakatsu Herring Leader Green Label Herring Brine N Bite bait knife bait cutting guide Jigging on Midchannel Bank Puget Pounder Jig P-Line Laser Minnow Buzz Bomb Jigs P-Line SS Fluorocarbon Gamakatsu Big River Bait Open Eye Hooks
Read more