Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Sunrise hit the water at 5:14 a.m. today, with sunset expected at 8:59 p.m. We’re looking at classic late spring Puget Sound conditions—waking to gentle morning fog and a high pushing into the low 70s by midday, with light northwest winds kicking up a bit in the afternoon. Tides are moderate, favoring a productive early morning ebb and a late afternoon flood—perfect for working both bottom structure and bait schools along the shorelines and reefs.

Lingcod is ruling the day in Puget Sound right now. May is prime time for these toothy predators, as the salmon seasons remain closed for most areas around Seattle until the next opener. Local guides and weekend warriors alike are reporting steady action, especially when working rocky structure within easy reach of the city. According to Cut Plug Charters, the best technique this week has been controlled drifts over reefs near Shilshole, West Point, and down toward Alki—live sanddab or shiner perch is the hot ticket for bait, while white or chartreuse swimbaits and large metal jigs are taking their share as well. Lingcod in the 24–34-inch class have been common catches, with a few legitimate 40-inchers in the mix.

Halibut season is also rolling in select areas north of the Sound. The word from Seattle Fishing Co. is that spots like Sekiu and the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca are open and giving up some quality flats. Anglers targeting the deep edges off Pillar Point and Hein Bank have found fish up to 40 pounds, mostly on salmon bellies, squid, and large herring fished on spreader bars.

If you’re itching for that salmon fix, there’s big news on the horizon. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife forecasts an exceptional pink salmon return for Puget Sound this year, with 7.76 million pinks expected—up 70% from the average and one of the best in history. While the salmon opener is still a few weeks away, gear up now: pink hoochies, small spoons, and buzz bombs are the proven lures for these feisty fish, especially around the Green and Nisqually river mouths later this summer.

Hotspots this week? Possession Point at the southern tip of Whidbey Island is always a magnet for migratory fish passing through the convergence of currents—work both the shallow bars and deeper drop-offs for lingcod and big flounder. Down south, the Tacoma Narrows continues its reign as a lingcod playground, with strong tidal flow stacking bait and predators alike. For shoreline action, try Carkeek Park or Dash Point—early mornings on a flooding tide have produced some bonus greenling and rockfish for those working plastics on the bottom.

Thanks for tuning in to your local Puget Sound report! Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest tips, tides, and tackle trends. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.