Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Early Chinook Salmon Season Opens in Puget Sound: Fishing Report for April 2, 2025
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Early Chinook Salmon Season Opens in Puget Sound: Fishing Report for April 2, 2025
Fishing Report for Puget Sound, Seattle - April 2, 2025
Today marks the opening of the early Chinook season in Marine Areas 10 and 11, running Wednesday through Saturday each week. The focus is on Blackmouth Chinook salmon, and fishers could see better opportunities with larger catches based on the delayed start of the season. Blackmouth are concentrated near the bottom, so targeting depths of 90 to 200 feet with your gear close to the bottom is recommended.
**Weather and Tides:**
The morning started calm, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 47°F, expected to climb to the mid-50s later in the day. Winds are light, making for favorable conditions on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM. Tidal movements are critical—focus on fishing the outgoing tide at points like Jeff Head south side or Kingston’s inner bowl. On the incoming tide, President’s Point and Kingston’s outer bar could be productive.
**Fish Activity and Catch Reports:**
Chinook activity is promising this spring, as the fishery opens with an encounter guideline of 4,787 in Marine Area 10 and 1,196 in Marine Area 11. Anglers are reporting success with clipped Chinook over 22 inches, though wild Chinook and chum must be released. The daily limit is two salmon, with most catches coming from trolling setups. Reports from recent trips suggest good numbers of legal Blackmouth being landed in both areas.
**Top Lures and Bait:**
- Trollers have had success with flasher and spoon combinations, such as the Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" and "Irish Cream" patterns.
- Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603) work well if fished 30-40 feet back from the downrigger clip.
- Mooching with herring or vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs are great alternatives for those without downriggers.
- Use lures with UV/glow finishes, as they are effective in Puget Sound's deeper waters.
**Hot Spots:**
- **Marine Area 10:** Jeff Head (south side for outgoing tide, north side near President’s Point for incoming tide), and Kingston’s ferry terminal area.
- **Marine Area 11:** Point Defiance (Slag Pile and Clay Banks during outgoing tide), and Dalco Point near Vashon Island during incoming tide.
**Looking Ahead:**
Halibut fishing opens tomorrow, April 3, in parts of Puget Sound. Anglers should check for quota updates and regulations. If you're planning ahead, lingcod and rockfish catch opportunities will also pick up later this month.
Today's conditions present an excellent opportunity to troll the rocky contours of Puget Sound for Blackmouth Chinook. Tight lines, and remember to verify emergency rules and regulations through WDFW before heading out!
Today marks the opening of the early Chinook season in Marine Areas 10 and 11, running Wednesday through Saturday each week. The focus is on Blackmouth Chinook salmon, and fishers could see better opportunities with larger catches based on the delayed start of the season. Blackmouth are concentrated near the bottom, so targeting depths of 90 to 200 feet with your gear close to the bottom is recommended.
**Weather and Tides:**
The morning started calm, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 47°F, expected to climb to the mid-50s later in the day. Winds are light, making for favorable conditions on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM. Tidal movements are critical—focus on fishing the outgoing tide at points like Jeff Head south side or Kingston’s inner bowl. On the incoming tide, President’s Point and Kingston’s outer bar could be productive.
**Fish Activity and Catch Reports:**
Chinook activity is promising this spring, as the fishery opens with an encounter guideline of 4,787 in Marine Area 10 and 1,196 in Marine Area 11. Anglers are reporting success with clipped Chinook over 22 inches, though wild Chinook and chum must be released. The daily limit is two salmon, with most catches coming from trolling setups. Reports from recent trips suggest good numbers of legal Blackmouth being landed in both areas.
**Top Lures and Bait:**
- Trollers have had success with flasher and spoon combinations, such as the Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" and "Irish Cream" patterns.
- Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603) work well if fished 30-40 feet back from the downrigger clip.
- Mooching with herring or vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs are great alternatives for those without downriggers.
- Use lures with UV/glow finishes, as they are effective in Puget Sound's deeper waters.
**Hot Spots:**
- **Marine Area 10:** Jeff Head (south side for outgoing tide, north side near President’s Point for incoming tide), and Kingston’s ferry terminal area.
- **Marine Area 11:** Point Defiance (Slag Pile and Clay Banks during outgoing tide), and Dalco Point near Vashon Island during incoming tide.
**Looking Ahead:**
Halibut fishing opens tomorrow, April 3, in parts of Puget Sound. Anglers should check for quota updates and regulations. If you're planning ahead, lingcod and rockfish catch opportunities will also pick up later this month.
Today's conditions present an excellent opportunity to troll the rocky contours of Puget Sound for Blackmouth Chinook. Tight lines, and remember to verify emergency rules and regulations through WDFW before heading out!
View all episodes
By Quiet. PleaseFishing Report for Puget Sound, Seattle - April 2, 2025
Today marks the opening of the early Chinook season in Marine Areas 10 and 11, running Wednesday through Saturday each week. The focus is on Blackmouth Chinook salmon, and fishers could see better opportunities with larger catches based on the delayed start of the season. Blackmouth are concentrated near the bottom, so targeting depths of 90 to 200 feet with your gear close to the bottom is recommended.
**Weather and Tides:**
The morning started calm, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 47°F, expected to climb to the mid-50s later in the day. Winds are light, making for favorable conditions on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM. Tidal movements are critical—focus on fishing the outgoing tide at points like Jeff Head south side or Kingston’s inner bowl. On the incoming tide, President’s Point and Kingston’s outer bar could be productive.
**Fish Activity and Catch Reports:**
Chinook activity is promising this spring, as the fishery opens with an encounter guideline of 4,787 in Marine Area 10 and 1,196 in Marine Area 11. Anglers are reporting success with clipped Chinook over 22 inches, though wild Chinook and chum must be released. The daily limit is two salmon, with most catches coming from trolling setups. Reports from recent trips suggest good numbers of legal Blackmouth being landed in both areas.
**Top Lures and Bait:**
- Trollers have had success with flasher and spoon combinations, such as the Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" and "Irish Cream" patterns.
- Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603) work well if fished 30-40 feet back from the downrigger clip.
- Mooching with herring or vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs are great alternatives for those without downriggers.
- Use lures with UV/glow finishes, as they are effective in Puget Sound's deeper waters.
**Hot Spots:**
- **Marine Area 10:** Jeff Head (south side for outgoing tide, north side near President’s Point for incoming tide), and Kingston’s ferry terminal area.
- **Marine Area 11:** Point Defiance (Slag Pile and Clay Banks during outgoing tide), and Dalco Point near Vashon Island during incoming tide.
**Looking Ahead:**
Halibut fishing opens tomorrow, April 3, in parts of Puget Sound. Anglers should check for quota updates and regulations. If you're planning ahead, lingcod and rockfish catch opportunities will also pick up later this month.
Today's conditions present an excellent opportunity to troll the rocky contours of Puget Sound for Blackmouth Chinook. Tight lines, and remember to verify emergency rules and regulations through WDFW before heading out!
Today marks the opening of the early Chinook season in Marine Areas 10 and 11, running Wednesday through Saturday each week. The focus is on Blackmouth Chinook salmon, and fishers could see better opportunities with larger catches based on the delayed start of the season. Blackmouth are concentrated near the bottom, so targeting depths of 90 to 200 feet with your gear close to the bottom is recommended.
**Weather and Tides:**
The morning started calm, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 47°F, expected to climb to the mid-50s later in the day. Winds are light, making for favorable conditions on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM. Tidal movements are critical—focus on fishing the outgoing tide at points like Jeff Head south side or Kingston’s inner bowl. On the incoming tide, President’s Point and Kingston’s outer bar could be productive.
**Fish Activity and Catch Reports:**
Chinook activity is promising this spring, as the fishery opens with an encounter guideline of 4,787 in Marine Area 10 and 1,196 in Marine Area 11. Anglers are reporting success with clipped Chinook over 22 inches, though wild Chinook and chum must be released. The daily limit is two salmon, with most catches coming from trolling setups. Reports from recent trips suggest good numbers of legal Blackmouth being landed in both areas.
**Top Lures and Bait:**
- Trollers have had success with flasher and spoon combinations, such as the Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in "Cookies and Cream" and "Irish Cream" patterns.
- Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603) work well if fished 30-40 feet back from the downrigger clip.
- Mooching with herring or vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs are great alternatives for those without downriggers.
- Use lures with UV/glow finishes, as they are effective in Puget Sound's deeper waters.
**Hot Spots:**
- **Marine Area 10:** Jeff Head (south side for outgoing tide, north side near President’s Point for incoming tide), and Kingston’s ferry terminal area.
- **Marine Area 11:** Point Defiance (Slag Pile and Clay Banks during outgoing tide), and Dalco Point near Vashon Island during incoming tide.
**Looking Ahead:**
Halibut fishing opens tomorrow, April 3, in parts of Puget Sound. Anglers should check for quota updates and regulations. If you're planning ahead, lingcod and rockfish catch opportunities will also pick up later this month.
Today's conditions present an excellent opportunity to troll the rocky contours of Puget Sound for Blackmouth Chinook. Tight lines, and remember to verify emergency rules and regulations through WDFW before heading out!