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Puget Sound Fishing Report: Salmon Surge, Bottomfish Bites, and River Runoff Ready
Artificial Lure's Puget Sound Fishing Report - May 17, 2025
Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing report for beautiful Puget Sound.
The salmon season is looking promising with forecasts showing over 6 million fish expected to return to Puget Sound this year, though chinook retention regulations remain tight[3]. Recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife show some decent catch rates, especially around Point Defiance where anglers have been averaging 0.19 fish per rod in Area 11[1].
Today's weather is typical May conditions - morning fog burning off to partly cloudy skies with light westerly winds picking up in the afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:24 AM with sunset coming at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet.
Tides today show a low at 10:23 AM followed by a high at 4:52 PM - that incoming tide should trigger some good action, especially for sea-run cutthroat trout along the beaches.
For those targeting salmon, recent samplings show some success at Van Ripers Resort in Area 5 and Point Defiance in Area 11[1]. Chartreuse Coyote spoons and white hoochies behind flashers have been working well in the upper water column, especially during the first light and last light periods.
If you're after bottomfish, the creel data shows decent lingcod catches around Point Defiance and Shilshole[1]. Jigs in the 4-6 oz range tipped with herring or artificial swimbaits are doing the trick in 60-120 feet of water.
The river fishing in our region is also heating up. Current river levels look good for both wading and floating on the Skykomish, Skagit, and Snoqualmie[4]. These rivers are ideal for fishing right now, with the Skykomish showing water flows between 700-7000 CFS - perfect conditions for steelhead action. Don't forget your March Brown and skwala patterns if you're fly fishing[5].
Hot spots this weekend:
Point Defiance is producing well for salmon trollers. Get there early to beat the weekend crowd and fish the tide change.
Shilshole ramp area has been giving up some nice catches lately, with reports of chinook in the 8-12 pound range[1].
For river anglers, the Skykomish is your best bet with good water conditions and active fish.
Remember folks, the 2025 regs require barbless hooks in most areas and selective gear rules are in effect on many rivers. The chinook are running a bit smaller than last year, but what they lack in size they're making up for in numbers.
Until next time, keep your lines tight and your nets ready. This is Artificial Lure signing off - I'll see you on the water!
Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing report for beautiful Puget Sound.
The salmon season is looking promising with forecasts showing over 6 million fish expected to return to Puget Sound this year, though chinook retention regulations remain tight[3]. Recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife show some decent catch rates, especially around Point Defiance where anglers have been averaging 0.19 fish per rod in Area 11[1].
Today's weather is typical May conditions - morning fog burning off to partly cloudy skies with light westerly winds picking up in the afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:24 AM with sunset coming at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet.
Tides today show a low at 10:23 AM followed by a high at 4:52 PM - that incoming tide should trigger some good action, especially for sea-run cutthroat trout along the beaches.
For those targeting salmon, recent samplings show some success at Van Ripers Resort in Area 5 and Point Defiance in Area 11[1]. Chartreuse Coyote spoons and white hoochies behind flashers have been working well in the upper water column, especially during the first light and last light periods.
If you're after bottomfish, the creel data shows decent lingcod catches around Point Defiance and Shilshole[1]. Jigs in the 4-6 oz range tipped with herring or artificial swimbaits are doing the trick in 60-120 feet of water.
The river fishing in our region is also heating up. Current river levels look good for both wading and floating on the Skykomish, Skagit, and Snoqualmie[4]. These rivers are ideal for fishing right now, with the Skykomish showing water flows between 700-7000 CFS - perfect conditions for steelhead action. Don't forget your March Brown and skwala patterns if you're fly fishing[5].
Hot spots this weekend:
Point Defiance is producing well for salmon trollers. Get there early to beat the weekend crowd and fish the tide change.
Shilshole ramp area has been giving up some nice catches lately, with reports of chinook in the 8-12 pound range[1].
For river anglers, the Skykomish is your best bet with good water conditions and active fish.
Remember folks, the 2025 regs require barbless hooks in most areas and selective gear rules are in effect on many rivers. The chinook are running a bit smaller than last year, but what they lack in size they're making up for in numbers.
Until next time, keep your lines tight and your nets ready. This is Artificial Lure signing off - I'll see you on the water!
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By Quiet. PleaseArtificial Lure's Puget Sound Fishing Report - May 17, 2025
Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing report for beautiful Puget Sound.
The salmon season is looking promising with forecasts showing over 6 million fish expected to return to Puget Sound this year, though chinook retention regulations remain tight[3]. Recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife show some decent catch rates, especially around Point Defiance where anglers have been averaging 0.19 fish per rod in Area 11[1].
Today's weather is typical May conditions - morning fog burning off to partly cloudy skies with light westerly winds picking up in the afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:24 AM with sunset coming at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet.
Tides today show a low at 10:23 AM followed by a high at 4:52 PM - that incoming tide should trigger some good action, especially for sea-run cutthroat trout along the beaches.
For those targeting salmon, recent samplings show some success at Van Ripers Resort in Area 5 and Point Defiance in Area 11[1]. Chartreuse Coyote spoons and white hoochies behind flashers have been working well in the upper water column, especially during the first light and last light periods.
If you're after bottomfish, the creel data shows decent lingcod catches around Point Defiance and Shilshole[1]. Jigs in the 4-6 oz range tipped with herring or artificial swimbaits are doing the trick in 60-120 feet of water.
The river fishing in our region is also heating up. Current river levels look good for both wading and floating on the Skykomish, Skagit, and Snoqualmie[4]. These rivers are ideal for fishing right now, with the Skykomish showing water flows between 700-7000 CFS - perfect conditions for steelhead action. Don't forget your March Brown and skwala patterns if you're fly fishing[5].
Hot spots this weekend:
Point Defiance is producing well for salmon trollers. Get there early to beat the weekend crowd and fish the tide change.
Shilshole ramp area has been giving up some nice catches lately, with reports of chinook in the 8-12 pound range[1].
For river anglers, the Skykomish is your best bet with good water conditions and active fish.
Remember folks, the 2025 regs require barbless hooks in most areas and selective gear rules are in effect on many rivers. The chinook are running a bit smaller than last year, but what they lack in size they're making up for in numbers.
Until next time, keep your lines tight and your nets ready. This is Artificial Lure signing off - I'll see you on the water!
Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing report for beautiful Puget Sound.
The salmon season is looking promising with forecasts showing over 6 million fish expected to return to Puget Sound this year, though chinook retention regulations remain tight[3]. Recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife show some decent catch rates, especially around Point Defiance where anglers have been averaging 0.19 fish per rod in Area 11[1].
Today's weather is typical May conditions - morning fog burning off to partly cloudy skies with light westerly winds picking up in the afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:24 AM with sunset coming at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet.
Tides today show a low at 10:23 AM followed by a high at 4:52 PM - that incoming tide should trigger some good action, especially for sea-run cutthroat trout along the beaches.
For those targeting salmon, recent samplings show some success at Van Ripers Resort in Area 5 and Point Defiance in Area 11[1]. Chartreuse Coyote spoons and white hoochies behind flashers have been working well in the upper water column, especially during the first light and last light periods.
If you're after bottomfish, the creel data shows decent lingcod catches around Point Defiance and Shilshole[1]. Jigs in the 4-6 oz range tipped with herring or artificial swimbaits are doing the trick in 60-120 feet of water.
The river fishing in our region is also heating up. Current river levels look good for both wading and floating on the Skykomish, Skagit, and Snoqualmie[4]. These rivers are ideal for fishing right now, with the Skykomish showing water flows between 700-7000 CFS - perfect conditions for steelhead action. Don't forget your March Brown and skwala patterns if you're fly fishing[5].
Hot spots this weekend:
Point Defiance is producing well for salmon trollers. Get there early to beat the weekend crowd and fish the tide change.
Shilshole ramp area has been giving up some nice catches lately, with reports of chinook in the 8-12 pound range[1].
For river anglers, the Skykomish is your best bet with good water conditions and active fish.
Remember folks, the 2025 regs require barbless hooks in most areas and selective gear rules are in effect on many rivers. The chinook are running a bit smaller than last year, but what they lack in size they're making up for in numbers.
Until next time, keep your lines tight and your nets ready. This is Artificial Lure signing off - I'll see you on the water!