Best Fishing Spots in Washington

Washington State offers extraordinary fishing diversity — from Puget Sound salmon and Dungeness crab to Columbia River sturgeon, Olympic Peninsula wild steelhead, and Cascade Range trout. The Evergreen State's combination of Pacific coastline, inland seas, volcanic rivers, and alpine lakes makes it one of the most complete fishing destinations in America.

🎣 8 Top Spots 📍 4 Regions 📋 4 Seasons
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Puget Sound — Salmon & Shellfish

Puget Sound is a massive inland sea stretching 100 miles south from the San Juan Islands. Its cold, nutrient-rich waters support world-class salmon fishing, Dungeness crab, and shrimp — all within sight of the Seattle skyline.

San Juan Islands

Friday Harbor, WA · Ocean

Intermediate

The San Juan Islands sit at the confluence of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound — a natural funnel for migrating salmon. The deep channels between islands hold lingcod and rockfish, while the surrounding waters produce Chinook salmon up to 30 pounds.

🐟 Chinook Salmon 🐟 Lingcod 🐟 Rockfish 🐟 Halibut
☀️ Summer

🎯 Expert Tip

Chinook salmon: mooch or downrig herring along the kelp edges and current breaks between islands. Lingcod: jig heavy metal jigs in 80-200 feet near rocky structure. Charter boats from Friday Harbor and Anacortes run daily summer trips.

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Puget Sound (Central — Seattle Area)

Seattle, WA · Bay

Beginner

You can catch salmon within sight of the Seattle Space Needle. Central Puget Sound has surprisingly productive salmon fishing, plus the iconic winter squid jigging from public docks and year-round Dungeness crabbing.

🐟 Chinook Salmon 🐟 Coho Salmon 🐟 Dungeness Crab 🐟 Squid
☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Chinook: mooch herring or troll flashers at Point No Point, Jefferson Head, and Possession Bar. Winter squid jigging from the Edmonds Pier, Des Moines Pier, or Seacrest Park is free and produces pounds of squid. Crab pots from any boat in season.

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📍 Puget Sound — Salmon & Shellfish · 48.5300°N, 123.0300°W

Columbia River — Giants of the Northwest

The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest and supports massive runs of salmon, steelhead, and ancient white sturgeon that can exceed 10 feet.

Columbia River (Astoria to Bonneville)

Vancouver, WA · River

Intermediate

The lower Columbia hosts the largest salmon runs in the lower 48 states. Spring Chinook are considered the finest-eating fish in the Pacific Northwest, while the white sturgeon fishery (catch-and-release for oversize) produces ancient fish exceeding 10 feet.

🐟 Spring Chinook 🐟 Fall Chinook 🐟 White Sturgeon 🐟 Steelhead 🐟 Walleye
🌸 Spring 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Spring Chinook (March-May): troll herring or anchor and back-bounce egg cures from Portland downriver. Fall Chinook (August-October): the Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth is massive. Sturgeon: anchor and fish smelt or sand shrimp on the bottom. Bank fishing from Bonneville Dam is free.

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Columbia River (Hanford Reach)

Richland, WA · River

Intermediate

The Hanford Reach is the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River in Washington and supports the largest natural (wild) fall Chinook salmon run in the Columbia Basin. The wild salmon spawning here create a unique conservation-success fishing opportunity.

🐟 Fall Chinook 🐟 Steelhead 🐟 Smallmouth Bass 🐟 Walleye
🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Fall Chinook (October): back-troll plugs and spinners through the deep runs. This is one of the few places to catch wild Columbia fall kings. Smallmouth bass fishing in summer (May-August) on the slack-water areas is excellent and underappreciated.

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📍 Columbia River — Giants of the Northwest · 45.6300°N, 122.4000°W

Olympic Peninsula — Wild Steelhead

The Olympic Peninsula receives over 120 inches of rain annually, feeding wild river systems that support the last great runs of wild steelhead on the West Coast.

Hoh River

Forks, WA · River

Advanced

The Hoh River flowing through primeval temperate rainforest is one of the last great wild steelhead rivers on Earth. Wild winter steelhead (catch-and-release) averaging 8-15 pounds navigate emerald-green water surrounded by moss-draped old-growth forest.

🐟 Wild Steelhead 🐟 Chinook Salmon 🐟 Coho Salmon
❄️ Winter 🌸 Spring

🎯 Expert Tip

Wild steelhead (December-March): swing flies or drift bait through the classic runs. Side-drifting eggs and shrimp produces best numbers. All wild steelhead must be released. The Upper Hoh Road provides river access. Expect rain — lots of rain.

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Neah Bay (Makah Marina)

Neah Bay, WA · Ocean

Intermediate

Neah Bay at the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula offers some of the finest ocean fishing in Washington. The Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific here, creating productive waters for halibut, salmon, and bottom fish.

🐟 Halibut 🐟 Chinook Salmon 🐟 Lingcod 🐟 Yelloweye Rockfish
☀️ Summer

🎯 Expert Tip

Halibut (May-September when open): drift large herring or jig heavy metal near the Swiftsure Bank. Chinook: troll or mooch in the Strait channels. Charter boats from Makah Marina access productive waters within 30 minutes. Weather can be rough — go prepared.

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📍 Olympic Peninsula — Wild Steelhead · 47.8100°N, 124.2200°W

East Side — Rivers & Lakes

Eastern Washington's drier climate and diverse waterways offer excellent trout fishing, bass, and warm-water species that contrast with the wet-side salmon fishing.

Yakima River

Ellensburg, WA · River

Intermediate

The Yakima River is Washington's premier blue-ribbon trout stream — a catch-and-release-only fishery from Ellensburg to Roza Dam that produces wild rainbow and cutthroat trout in stunning canyon scenery. Float trips are the classic way to fish it.

🐟 Rainbow Trout 🐟 Cutthroat Trout 🐟 Mountain Whitefish
🌸 Spring ☀️ Summer 🍂 Fall

🎯 Expert Tip

Float the canyon section (Ringer Road to Roza) for the best fishing — drift boats and pontoon boats work well. Dry/dropper rigs with October Caddis, PMDs, and Blue-Winged Olives. Catch-and-release, single barbless hooks only. Guided float trips are excellent.

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Banks Lake

Electric City, WA · Reservoir

Beginner

Banks Lake sits in the dramatic Grand Coulee — a massive geological feature carved by ancient floods. The 27-mile reservoir offers excellent multi-species fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, and lake trout in a stunning high-desert landscape.

🐟 Walleye 🐟 Smallmouth Bass 🐟 Lake Trout 🐟 Kokanee Salmon
🌸 Spring ☀️ Summer

🎯 Expert Tip

Walleye: troll spinner rigs or jig minnows at the north and south ends. Smallmouth: fish the rocky basalt shorelines with tubes and crankbaits in summer. Lake trout: deep-troll or jig vertically in the center of the coulee. Free boat ramps at Steamboat Rock State Park.

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📍 East Side — Rivers & Lakes · 46.9600°N, 120.5500°W

When to Fish in Washington — Seasonal Guide

SeasonMonthsBest TargetsPrime SpotsTips
SpringMarch – MaySpring Chinook, Wild Steelhead, Yakima TroutColumbia (springers), Olympic rivers (steelhead), Yakima (trout opener)Columbia spring Chinook are Washington's most prized fish — the run peaks April-May. Late-season wild steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula. Yakima River trout fishing improves dramatically from April on. Lowland lakes open in late April.
SummerJune – AugustPuget Sound Salmon, Ocean Halibut, Alpine TroutSan Juan Islands (salmon), Neah Bay (halibut), Cascade alpine lakesSummer is peak season for Puget Sound and ocean fishing. Halibut seasons open (check dates — they change yearly). San Juan Islands salmon fishing peaks July-August. Alpine lakes in the Cascades and Olympics become accessible.
FallSeptember – NovemberFall Chinook, Buoy 10, Hanford ReachColumbia/Buoy 10 (chinook), Hanford Reach (wild kings), Puget Sound (coho)Fall is Washington's biggest salmon season. Buoy 10 at the Columbia mouth is legendary. Hanford Reach wild Chinook peak in October. Puget Sound coho fishing peaks September-October. Crabbing is excellent.
WinterDecember – FebruaryWild Winter Steelhead, Squid Jigging, Blackmouth ChinookHoh/Queets/Sol Duc (steelhead), Seattle piers (squid), Puget Sound (blackmouth)Wild winter steelhead on Olympic Peninsula rivers is Washington's winter tradition. Puget Sound blackmouth (resident Chinook) fishing continues through winter. Squid jigging from public docks is free and fun.

🪪 Washington Fishing License Info

A Washington fishing license costs $30.05 for residents. Non-residents pay $84.50/year or $20.20/day. A combination license (freshwater + saltwater + shellfish) is $55.35 resident. Kids under 15 fish free with a licensed adult.

View Washington License Guide → Official Resources ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fishing in Washington state? ▼

The Columbia River for salmon and sturgeon is the most productive fishery. Puget Sound offers year-round salmon, crab, and squid accessible from Seattle. The Hoh River on the Olympic Peninsula is legendary for wild steelhead. The Yakima River is the premier trout stream.

How much is a Washington fishing license? ▼

Resident freshwater: $30.05/year. Non-resident: $84.50/year or $20.20/day. A combination license (fresh + salt + shellfish) is $55.35 resident. Kids under 15 fish free with a licensed adult. Separate Chinook salmon catch cards are required.

Can I fish for salmon near Seattle? ▼

Yes — Puget Sound produces Chinook, coho, and pink salmon within sight of downtown Seattle. You can launch from public ramps at Shilshole Bay, Des Moines Marina, or Edmonds. Charter boats run from multiple marinas. Even bank fishing at Seacrest Park in West Seattle produces salmon.

When is crabbing season in Washington? ▼

Recreational Dungeness crab season in Puget Sound typically runs summer through fall (check WDFW for exact dates — they vary by area). Coastal crab season is usually year-round. You need a shellfish license ($7.35 extra) and up to 2 pots per person.

Where is the best steelhead fishing in Washington? ▼

The Olympic Peninsula rivers (Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Queets) have the best wild winter steelhead runs. The Skagit River system has both summer and winter runs. Wild steelhead are catch-and-release only statewide.

What is squid jigging in Washington? ▼

Winter squid jigging from public piers is a unique Pacific Northwest tradition. Squid move into shallow Puget Sound waters from October through March. Drop a squid jig near a bright light at night from Edmonds Pier, Des Moines Pier, or Seacrest Park — free and family-friendly.