You’re listening to Artificial Lure on this beautiful June 6th, 2025, bringing you the latest fishing report for the Puget Sound and Seattle area.

First things first, let’s talk tides. Today, Puget Sound’s large tidal swings are moving bait and making for dynamic conditions. Strong tidal currents are expected, especially in the morning—ideal for predatory fish on the hunt. Low tides will reveal some prime structure, so consider scouting those beaches and rocky points for active fish.

Weather-wise, we’re looking at a classic Northwest early summer day—cool and dry, with scattered clouds and a breeze off the Sound. Sunrise was at 5:12 AM, and you can expect sunset around 9:07 PM. Prime fishing windows are early morning and late evening, when the light is low and the fish are more active.

The latest creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and local guides show strong action on Chinook (King) Salmon. Just yesterday near Edmonds, anglers landed lively, healthy Kings—two big ones in just a short session. Resident Coho are also showing up, and those targeting Sea-Run Cutthroat are reporting steady action all around South and North Puget Sound. The beaches are still holding Chum fry and lots of bait—herring, sand lance, and shiner perch are abundant, so predators are in close and hungry.

For lures and bait, here’s what’s hitting:
- For salmon, needlefish hoochies, Coho Killers, and green or chartreuse spoons are producing well trolled behind a flasher.
- Cutthroat are hammering chum fry imitations, small sand lance patterns, and even surface flies—so pack a selection if you’re fly fishing.
- If you’re after bottomfish, Lingcod are still around. Try large white swimbaits, herring on a jighead, or metal jigs near structure.

Today’s hotspots include:
- Possession Point: The southern tip of Whidbey Island is always a solid bet, especially on outgoing tides. The convergence of bait and current here draws big salmon.
- Tacoma Narrows: Especially between Point Evans and the bridge, this is a salmon magnet right now, and Lingcod fishing is productive near rock piles and ledges.
- If you’re staying close to the city, try Elliott Bay early or late—just check the season’s specific openings and regulations.

And don’t forget, spot shrimp opens for a limited window today in Marine Area 8-1 and 8-2 (Saratoga Passage and Everett). It’s a great chance to top off your catch with a bucket of these sweet treats.

Free fishing weekend is fast approaching, rivers are opening, and pinks are expected to flood the Sound later this summer. Keep an eye on emergency rule updates, respect the regs, and be ready for a bustling season.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure. Be sure to subscribe for all the latest reports and tips. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

Artificial Lure here with your June 1st Puget Sound, Seattle, fishing report.

Sunrise hit at 5:13 a.m. and we’re looking at sunset just after 9:00 p.m. The Sound greeted anglers this morning with cool, partly cloudy skies, afternoon highs near 68°F, and moderate onshore winds—classic early summer Seattle weather. Tides today are swinging with a strong exchange, with a morning high around 7 a.m., dropping to a minus tide mid-afternoon, then filling back in for the evening bite—solid conditions for shoreline and boat anglers.

Let’s talk fish activity. As reported by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s latest creel reports, it’s shaping up to be another banner year for Puget Sound salmon. The 2025 pink salmon forecast is a staggering 7.76 million—about 70% above the decade average—so expect a pink-fueled summer[Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife]. Right now, Chinook are starting to show in the north Sound and are moving steadily south; these “kings” will get thicker as we move further into June. Coho (silvers) are just beginning to make a showing, with the bulk of the run expected to arrive later this month, but a few resident silvers are already being picked up around the South Sound[PNW BestLife, Fishing Booker].

The Avid Angler’s latest reports from early May confirm that sea-run cutthroat are hunting beaches hard, chasing chum fry and sandlance—these are prime shore game with small flies or lures that mimic local fry, herring, shiner perch, or sandlance.

Bottom fishers, it’s been a good spring for halibut and lingcod, with halibut season running through June 30 in marine areas 5 through 10. There’s a one-fish daily limit, and barbless hooks are required for halibut and all bottomfish—don’t forget to log those catches on your record card[Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife].

Recent catch amounts? Salmon guides and local charters out of Shilshole and Edmonds are reporting swift Chinook action, with fish mostly in the 8–18 lb range, and some early pinks already in the mix. Halibut catches have been steady, especially on the midweek tides, with a few larger fish (30–40 lbs) landed off Possession Bar and Point Wilson.

Best lures and bait? For salmon, try 3”–5” herring or anchovy behind a green or white flasher, or herring-pattern spoons. If you’re chasing beach coho or cutthroat, small epoxy minnows, olive-over-white clousers, and pink/white hoochies are top picks. For halibut, it’s tough to beat a large herring or squid-tipped jig, with scent always upping your odds.

Hot spots today: Shilshole Bay is producing Chinook for early risers trolling tight to the bottom, and the south end of Bainbridge Island is seeing good action for both blackmouth and the first pinks. For shore anglers, Lincoln Park and Seahurst Park are putting out sea-run cutthroat and the occasional resident coho.

Thanks for tuning in to your Puget Sound fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more on-the-water insights. This has been a Quiet Please production; for more, check out quietplease.ai.

Good morning Puget Sound anglers, this is Artificial Lure bringing you the May 31st, 2025 fishing report for Seattle and the surrounding waters.

The sun came up bright and early at 5:17 AM, and we’re looking at a clear, mild day with temps hovering in the upper 50s and low 60s—perfect for getting some lines wet. Sunset will be at 8:57 PM tonight, giving us plenty of daylight hours for that post-work bite. According to tidal charts, we’re experiencing large swings this weekend, which means plenty of bait movement and hungry fish cruising the rips and current lines.

The action in Puget Sound is heating up as we move into summer patterns. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife creel reports confirm that spring Chinook salmon are being caught, mostly off Point Defiance and Edmonds, with a few solid catches out around Possession Bar as well. Lingcod season is still open and delivering steady action: anglers targeting rocky structure around Shilshole and the Tacoma Narrows have had luck with both live bait and artificials. The south Sound continues to produce sea-run cutthroat, with resident coho starting to show in greater numbers, especially near the mouths of small creeks and the flats from Olympia up to Gig Harbor.

Baitfish are everywhere right now—chum fry, sand lance, and herring are all crowding the beaches. If you’re fly fishing, local shops like The Avid Angler recommend chum fry patterns, small sand lance imitations, and a few herring or krill flies just in case the fish get picky. For gear anglers, nothing beats a Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoon behind a flasher for coho and Chinook. Chartreuse and green patterns have been especially hot. For the bottomfish crowd, lead jigs like the Puget Pounder in 2- to 4-ounce sizes have been best for vertical jigging, particularly near Vashon and Fox Islands.

Lingcod have responded well to white or glow swimbaits bounced close to structure—don’t be afraid to tip your plastics with a little scent or a chunk of herring for extra attraction.

Hot spots to focus on today include:
- Possession Bar: Always a strong bet for Chinook and coho when the tide is moving.
- Point Defiance: Consistent salmon action, plus good structure for bottomfish.
- South Sound beaches: Sea-run cutthroat and resident coho are eager right now, especially around the mouths of Deschutes and Minter Creeks.

With favorable weather, lively tides, and plenty of fish in the system, grab your gear and hit the Sound. Whether you’re casting artificials, trolling spoons, or swinging flies, there’s no better time to be out chasing what our backyard has to offer.

Thanks for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest on local fishing.

This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

Hey anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, May 30th Puget Sound fishing report, coming to you straight from Seattle.

The calendar says late May, but on the Sound it’s prime time for lingcod. The season opened May 1st and runs through June 15th, and right now the bite is strong from South Sound up toward Shilshole and Edmonds. Anglers are bringing in solid numbers of keeper lingcod between 26" and 36". According to Seattle’s Cut Plug Charters, the best way to get into these sea dragons is with live bait—sanddabs and small flounder are top choices if you can jig them up first thing in the morning. If you’re short on bait, a white swimbait, large curly-tail grub, or classic leadhead jig tipped with squid will turn heads, especially bounced off rocky structure or steep shelves near shore.

Pink salmon are the buzz this year, with forecasts calling for 7.76 million pinks running up the Sound—one of the biggest returns in decades. While most marine salmon areas remain closed in May for conservation, you can expect that frenzy to kick into gear later in the summer. Keep your tackle box ready with pink hoochies, buzz bombs, or small spoons for when the season opens up, and be sure to check the latest regulations at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife site.

On the weather front, we’re starting the day under light clouds, with highs in the low 60s. Winds are out of the southwest around 5-10 knots—nice and manageable for small boats and kayaks. Sunrise was at 5:16 a.m., with sunset at 8:53 p.m., so you’ve got a nice long window for an after-work cast.

Tide swings are moderate, with a low tide early morning swinging back to a strong flood by mid-afternoon. Lingcod tend to bite best during the start of that incoming tide, especially around boulder piles, reef edges, and the shadowy drop-offs near Alki and Possession Bar.

If you’re looking for hot spots today, try the following:
- Alki Reef: Consistent structure and easy access from shore or boat, with good reports of keeper lings caught on jigs and live flounder.
- Shilshole Bay Breakwater: Productive for both lingcod and the occasional large rockfish. Fish the edges where the rocks meet sand.

A few reminders: Lingcod retention is limited to one per day, 26-36” only, and you need a descending device on board for rockfish conservation. Always check the emergency rules before you launch.

That wraps up your Puget Sound report for Friday, May 30th. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for your next local update. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

This is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

First light hit this morning at 5:18 am with sunrise right about 5:22 am. Expect sunset to roll in at 8:50 pm, giving us long days and plenty of fishing opportunity. Early risers got the best shot at some good bites with the overcast skies and mild temps in the upper 50s to low 60s. A light westerly breeze made for manageable drifts and a comfortable morning on the water.

Tides in Puget Sound today are moderate, with a solid flood tide peaking mid-morning and a good outgoing tide through the afternoon, so timing a few hours before and after high tide should be productive.

Fishing action is heating up with over six million salmon forecast to push into the Sound this season. Anglers are already reporting strong early pink salmon action and good numbers of resident coho. Chinook catches have started popping up, mostly on troll gear and deep mooching rigs near structure and current lines. Lingcod season is in full swing, open through June 15 in most areas with a one fish daily limit and barbless hooks required. Fish between 26 and 36 inches are fair game, but remember to stay in waters shallower than 120 feet for lingcod targeting.

The word on the docks is that Point Defiance and Edmonds have been steady producers this week. Boats working the rips and eddies off Jeff Head and Possession Bar are finding success with mooched herring, 3-inch white or chartreuse curly-tail grubs, and chrome or green needlefish hoochies. Trolled Ace-Hi Flies and Silver Horde spoons in green-glow have been top-notch for both salmon and coho. Lingcod are hitting well on large soft plastic swimbaits in white or root beer, rigged on 2- to 4-ounce jig heads, and live bait like sand dabs where allowed. Rock piles and reefy drop-offs from Shilshole to Alki continue to produce legal lings.

Creel checks this week show solid mixed-bag counts: boats are averaging one to two legal salmon and several folks are limiting on lings, with the occasional keeper flounder or rockfish in the mix. The shore crowd is doing best at Dash Point and Lincoln Park casting Buzz Bombs and Rotators, especially during the incoming tides.

To sum up, focus your effort around the morning high slack and afternoon outgoing, stick with bright patterns for salmon and big plastics for lingcod, and be sure to check the regs for area-specific rules. Hot spots for today: try Possession Bar for salmon and the Tacoma Narrows for a shot at a trophy lingcod.

Good luck and tight lines from your local fishing expert, Artificial Lure.

Artificial Lure here with your May 26, 2025, Puget Sound fishing report live from Seattle

Tides are in our favor today. There’s a strong high tide mid-morning, with a good ebb into the late afternoon, making for prime action whether you’re casting off a pier or out on the boat. The weather’s mild and classic for this time of year, partly cloudy with a light NW breeze. Temps will top out in the mid-60s. Sunrise was early at 5:15 am, and you have until sunset at 8:55 pm to squeeze in every cast you can[1].

Salmon fishing is on fire following a recent run of strong catches. Chinook and Coho are being picked up at a steady clip near the Snohomish River mouth and around the San Juan Islands, with the broader forecast expecting over 6 million salmon back to the Sound this season[1][4]. Pink salmon numbers look better than any recent year, with over 7 million returning, so expect the bite to only improve as summer approaches[3].

Lingcod season opened May 1 and is still going strong, especially around reefs and rocky structure in central and south Sound. Anglers regularly report good-sized fish, but remember—one lingcod per person, with 26 to 36 inches as your keeper slot[1]. For halibut hunters, the early run is on. The hot spots are Hein Bank and Protection Island east in the Strait, plus classic favorites like Sekiu and Clallam Bay out west. These spots are pumping out fish for those who know how to work the tides and bottom structure[1].

If you are staying closer to shore, the south Sound beaches are still producing sea run cutthroat, with some resident coho showing up too. These fish are chasing chum fry, sand lance, and herring all over the shallow water[5].

Top lures and bait today—try trolling herring, anchovies, or hoochies for salmon, and use swimbaits or big jigs for targeting lingcod along rocky bottoms. For halibut, nothing beats a chunk of salted herring or octopus on a spreader bar. Fly fishers will find cutthroat willing to grab small chum fry or sand lance patterns, especially near creek mouths and points[1][5].

A couple of hot spots to hit today include Point No Point for shore or boat anglers seeking salmon and cutthroat, and the Edmonds oil docks for a decent shot at both salmon and lingcod. If heading north, don’t sleep on Possession Bar for Chinook and Hein Bank for halibut.

That’s the scope for today. Good luck out there and tight lines.

Artificial Lure's Puget Sound Fishing Report
May 25, 2025

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for the beautiful Puget Sound waters around Seattle.

The sun rose at 5:17 AM today and will set at 8:53 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours to hit the water. We've got partly cloudy skies with temperatures expected to reach the mid-60s – perfect fishing weather if you ask me! Light westerly winds around 5-10 knots are forecasted, making for calm waters throughout most of the Sound.

As for tides, we're looking at a high tide of 11.2 feet at 9:23 AM followed by a low tide of 2.1 feet at 3:47 PM. That morning incoming tide should create some excellent opportunities, especially for halibut hunters.

Speaking of halibut, the 2025 season has been productive since opening back in April. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife allocated 79,772 pounds for Puget Sound this year, and anglers have been making good use of it. Recent creel reports show decent success rates, with several nice-sized fish in the 30-40 pound range being brought in near Possession Bar and Point No Point.

For those targeting halibut, try bouncing a large white or glow-in-the-dark jig tipped with herring or squid right along the bottom in 120-180 feet of water. I've had my best luck with slow, deliberate retrieves – these flatties aren't exactly speedsters!

Salmon fishing has been steady but not spectacular. We're still a bit early for the big summer runs, but some nice blackmouth have been taken near Kingston and Jefferson Head. Trolling with flashers and spoons at depths of 60-90 feet seems to be the ticket. Green/white and blue/silver combos have been hot lately.

The Edmonds Pier has been producing some decent lingcod action, with several fish in the 5-8 pound range reported last week. Curly-tailed jigs in the 4-6 ounce range are working well, especially in white or motor oil colors.

For bank anglers, Shilshole Bay and Golden Gardens have been giving up some nice flounder and the occasional sea-run cutthroat. Sand shrimp or small Kastmaster spoons will get you into the action there.

Hot spots for this week include the Possession Bar drift for halibut (watch those currents), the west side of Whidbey Island for lingcod, and the jetty at the Edmonds Marina for a mixed bag of bottomfish.

Don't forget that WDFW conducts random sampling interviews throughout the season, so be ready to share your catch info if approached. This helps with those all-important future management decisions.

That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and bent rods to all you Puget Sound anglers. I'll see you on the water!

Fishing Report for Puget Sound, Seattle - May 24, 2025

Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing update. It's a beautiful Saturday morning in the Sound, and fish are active!

The early bird gets the worm today - sunrise was at 5:18 AM, so many of you diehards are already on the water. For the rest of you, there's plenty of daylight until sunset at 8:52 PM.

Recent reports show promising action throughout Puget Sound. The big news is those pink salmon - we're expecting a monster return this year with forecasts of 7.76 million fish, which is 70% above our 10-year average[4]. While we're still early in the season, some early arrivals are being caught.

Halibut fishing has been productive in Marine Areas 5 and 6, which opened April 3 and runs through June 30, seven days a week[5]. Remember your limit is one halibut per day, with an annual limit of six, and don't forget that catch card!

For salmon anglers, Area 7 (San Juan Islands) has a two-fish limit, but you must release sockeye, chum, wild coho, and Chinook[2]. Note that Bellingham and Samish Bay remain closed to salmon through August 15.

Water levels in our rivers are favorable - the Snoqualmie is running at ideal levels for both wading (300-1500cfs) and floating (750-1500cfs)[3]. The MF Snoqualmie and Cedar River are also in prime condition for wading.

For bait, herring has been working well for salmon, while squid and octopus are your best bet for halibut. Lure-wise, I've had success with Coyote spoons in bright colors for salmon. For halibut, white curly tail jigs tipped with herring have been deadly.

Hot spots this weekend include:
1. Possession Bar - The incoming tide around noon should trigger some good action
2. Point No Point - Always reliable this time of year
3. Shilshole Bay - Reports of some early pinks moving through

The creel reports from WDFW show decent catch rates, though remember that data is preliminary and subject to change after quality control[1].

For you fly anglers, we're seeing the start of some good dry fly action on our rivers[3]. Size 14-16 caddis patterns have been productive in the evenings.

Remember, fishing in most areas of Puget Sound is open seven days a week now through June, but always double-check the regs before heading out.

That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines, and I'll see you on the water!

This is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Friday, May 23, 2025.

We’re waking up to classic Seattle spring conditions out on the water today. Sunrise hit at 5:21 am and sunset will wrap things up around 8:51 pm, so you’ve got a long stretch of daylight to chase a bite. Expect cool temps in the upper 50s to low 60s, with patchy clouds and a light breeze—ideal for both boaters and shore anglers alike.

Tides are running strong today with a high tide rolling in early around 7:30 am, topping out near 12 feet, dropping all the way to a negative low just before 2 pm, then swinging back to a solid high at 10 pm. These sharp changes mean hungry fish will be on the move during the tide switches, so time your casts for the first couple hours after high and low slack for best results.

On the fishing front, there’s a buzz around the Sound thanks to a banner forecast for pink salmon this year. Over 7.7 million pinks are expected, nearly doubling the 10-year average, and early catches have already been reported around the Tacoma Narrows and on into the central Sound. Folks are doing well tossing pink Buzz Bombs, hoochies, and small spoons from both boat and beach. If you’re fishing from shore, the Edmonds pier or Point No Point are worth a look as schools start pushing shallower on the outgoing tide.

Spring Chinook action remains decent through the middle Sound corridors. Anglers trolling herring or anchovies in bait strips, especially behind a flasher, are picking up springers around the south end of Vashon, West Seattle’s Lincoln Park, and out toward the mouth of the Duwamish. Early mornings have been best.

Lingcod season is in full swing now through June 15. Try jigs or swimbaits in white or chartreuse along rocky structure up to 120 feet deep. Alki Point and the area around Shilshole Bay have produced solid keepers recently.

Halibut numbers are also looking strong, with productive reports coming in from deep water off Possession Bar and out toward the east side of Whidbey Island. Big herring dropped to the bottom with plenty of scent is your best bet here.

For live bait, herring and sand shrimp are top choices. Artificial lures like pink Buzz Bombs, Point Wilson Darts, and Hawken Aerojigs have been favorites for the salmon, while larger paddle-tail plastics and metal jigs turn heads from the lingcod.

If you’re chasing a hot bite, check out Point Defiance boathouse for salmon and bottomfish, and hit the Edmonds Pier at either side of high tide for salmon and an outside chance at a searun cutthroat.

Good luck out there, and remember to keep your hooks barbless and take a kid fishing if you can. This is Artificial Lure signing off—tight lines!

This is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Let’s start with the conditions. The weather in the Seattle area today is classic late spring, with mostly cloudy skies and mild temps hovering around the upper 50s to low 60s. Winds are variable but manageable for small watercraft and shoreline casting. Sunrise hit at 5:22 AM and sunset will be around 8:46 PM, giving us more than enough daylight for morning and evening action.

The tides are favorable today, with an early morning outgoing that should spark some good bite windows, especially at dawn and again around mid-afternoon as the water moves.

Here’s the big headline—chinook and coho are closed in the inner Sound, but all eyes are on the pink salmon. The forecast is for a massive pink run this year, with almost 7.8 million pinks expected, nearly double the usual numbers. Early signs are promising, with pinks starting to be seen by those drifting jigs or casting from shorelines near river mouths and estuaries. Catches of resident coho and the odd sea-run cutthroat have also been solid, especially for fly anglers working the beaches with small baitfish patterns[3].

The best lures right now are pink buzz bombs, small darting jigs, and welded ring spoons for the pinks. For trout and cutthroat, try small spinners in silver or green, or a classic olive-over-white Clouser minnow on the fly. Bait anglers are doing best with sand shrimp and herring strips, especially near bottom structure.

Saltwater crabbing is still closed, but today marks the spot shrimp opener in some parts of the Sound. Note that Elliott Bay and Marine Areas 10, 11, and 13 remain closed for shrimp, but other spots north of Seattle have a short window—be sure to check WDFW emergency updates before you launch[2].

Hot spots to try: Point No Point is a classic early pink salmon magnet, and the beaches near Lincoln Park in West Seattle have been giving up some nice sea-run cutthroat. The Edmonds pier is busy with anglers chasing the first push of pinks and resident coho.

In sum, it’s shaping up as a stellar start to pink salmon season in the Sound, with solid action expected to build through June. Watch those tide swings for best results, match your offerings to the bait, and don’t overlook the local fly-friendly beaches for some underrated trout and cutthroat fun.

Tight lines and see you on the water!