Nothing sums up fishing in the Pacific Northwest like the mighty Salmon, and there’s no place to catch this fish more iconic than Puget Sound. Here you can cast your line while indulging in calm, protected waters, breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains, and close encounters with Orcas.

With four different species to hook into, it’s no wonder why anglers are eager to get a taste of the Salmon fishing Puget Sound has in store. Chinook (King) Salmon are the ultimate prize in these waters, including a resident feeder Chinook population—known as “Blackmouth Salmon”—and migratory Chinook in late summer. Summer Kings are joined by the hard-fighting Coho (Silver) Salmon, Chum Salmon, and Pink Salmon on occasion.

When to Fish for Salmon

There are few places where anglers can fish for Salmon 365 days a year, and Puget Sound is one of them. King and Coho Salmon are generally available from July through September. In years that end in odd numbers, Pink Salmon flood the Sound around the same time. In south Puget Sound, Chum Salmon make an appearance in fall. Even in the dead of winter, after all the visiting Salmon take their leave, the action stays strong with “Blackmouth” Salmon (feeder Chinook) biting vigorously through April.

Depending on which part of the Sound you fish, certain species may not be open to harvest, so be sure to keep an eye on local regulations before heading out. South Puget Sound, which includes the area south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, is the only place in Washington State where it is legal to fish for Salmon year-round.

How to Fish

Trolling

Trolling is the most popular Salmon fishing technique. Depending on the target species and the season, anglers use different variations of this method. In winter, Puget Sound Salmon fishing is all about the small, ferocious “Blackmouths” feeding about 100 feet below the surface. Locals troll near the bottom to catch these fish, relying on a downrigger to hold the bait in place. Plastic squid, plugs, spoons, and Herring are all common bait choices.

Mooching

Another technique you’ll see people using in Puget Sound is “mooching.” Instead of trolling, anglers drift their lines in the water, keeping the rods in their hands the entire time and constantly moving the bait up and down. Many prefer this hands-on and traditional method of Salmon fishing because it’s more personal and you can feel the Salmon striking the bait. Herring is a common bait choice for mooching.  

Need to Know

Anglers age 16 and older must buy a Washington State fishing license, even when fishing aboard a licensed charter boat.

Salmon fishing regulations are not the same in all areas of Puget Sound. The season closes in many zones for a brief period in spring, usually between March and June (except for the area described as “south Puget Sound”).