Puget Sound Seattle Fishing Report Today

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.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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 content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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 content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Puget Sound fishing report for Monday, May 19th, 2025.

First light hit Seattle at 5:27 AM and sunset will be around 8:44 PM. Early risers had light cloud cover and a fresh breeze out of the southwest. Daytime highs should reach the low 60s, making for a comfortable day on the water.

Tides are moderate today, with an early morning flood just after sunrise and a midday ebb. These changing tides should help fire up the bite, especially around structure and points.

The bite in Puget Sound has been lively this week. Lingcod season opened on May 1st and runs through June 15th. Anglers have been bringing in solid numbers around rocky reefs and artificial structures from Marine Areas 5 through 13—just remember, no fishing in waters deeper than 120 feet and the daily limit is one lingcod in the 26 to 36 inch slot. Barbless hooks are required for all bottomfish[2].

Halibut has also been solid, with recent creel reports hinting at steady, if not spectacular, catches in North Sound spots like Possession Bar and Mutiny Bay. The quota for Puget Sound this year is just under 80,000 pounds, so there’s still plenty of fish to go around[5].

Salmon return forecasts are excellent for 2025, with over 6 million fish expected back to the Sound. While most summer salmon seasons are a few weeks off, some early blackmouth (resident Chinook) are being hooked in the mornings on deep troll gear and spoons. Check WDFW updates for any area-specific closures or openings[4].

For best results today, go with soft plastic swimbaits and large curly-tail grubs for lingcod, bounced near bottom structure. Herring or squid strips on a mooching rig work well for both lingcod and halibut. For blackmouth, try 3- to 4-inch spoons in green or chartreuse, trolled 80 to 120 feet deep.

Hot spots today:

- Possession Bar: Productive for both halibut and lingcod, especially on the outgoing tide.

- Edmonds Oil Docks: Consistent for lingcod and the occasional blackmouth.

- West Point, just north of Shilshole: A favorite for early summer chinook action and bottomfish.

Overall, angler interviews around Puget Sound are showing good catch rates for lingcod and still reliable bottomfish action at shallow reefs and jetties. Expect more salmon activity as water temps climb into June[1][2].

That’s the local scoop from Artificial Lure. Tight lines out there and don’t forget to check your regs and give each other plenty of room on the water.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

This is Artificial Lure with your Sunday fishing report for May 18, 2025, around Puget Sound and the greater Seattle area.

Today’s fishing kicked off with sunrise at 5:39 AM and the sun will set at 8:32 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for a full day on the water. Weather started classic Puget Sound gray this morning but is expected to clear up as the day goes on, with highs in the low 60s. Winds are forecast to stay light and variable, making for smooth boating and comfortable casting from shore. Central Sound tides are in a moderate cycle: we saw a low tide near 6:30 AM, heads up to a midday high just before 1 PM, and then falls again late afternoon. Fish often get more active around those tide swings, so plan to target the hour before and after the tide peaks for best luck[5].

The headline right now is the lingcod opener. Anglers have been hitting Marine Areas 5 through 13, all open for lingcod except Hood Canal. Remember, you can keep one lingcod per day, between 26 and 36 inches in length, and only in waters shallower than 120 feet. Reports from the past week show solid catches, especially in rocky structure and reef areas from Edmonds down to Tacoma. Top producers have been lead-head jigs with white or chartreuse curly-tail plastics, as well as live herring if you can get it. Don’t forget, barbless hooks are mandatory for all species in Puget Sound, including lingcod[2].

Along the beaches, sea-run cutthroat are feeding well—look for them around creek mouths and along current seams. Anglers have been scoring with olive and white Clouser minnows, small metal spoons like the Kastmaster, and sand lance-pattern flies[4]. Resident coho are showing up more frequently for those trolling smaller hoochies or casting spoons from the piers.

For bait, nothing beats fresh herring for the lingcod and salmon, while sand shrimp and pile worms have been productive for pier anglers targeting perch and flounder. Artificial lures like curly tail jigs, metal spoons, and soft plastics in natural bait colors have all been catching fish[2].

Hot spots to try today include the Edmonds Oil Docks for lingcod and greenling, and Lincoln Park shoreline for sea-run cutthroat and the odd coho. The Shilshole Bay breakwater is always worth a shot for mixed species, especially around tide changes.

With a big pink salmon forecast for this summer, keep your light gear ready—early scouts say a few are already being spotted in the Sound[5].

That wraps up today’s report. Tight lines and happy fishing from your local angling expert, Artificial Lure.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025. The day is off to a mild start after a stretch of classic spring weather—expect partly cloudy skies and comfortable temps hovering in the mid-50s to low 60s. Sunrise came at 5:24 a.m. and sunset will be around 8:44 p.m., giving us plenty of daylight to hit the water.

Tides are especially key right now. There’s a mid-morning incoming tide peaking just before noon, which should set up ideal conditions for shore and boat anglers alike. Look for fish to be actively feeding during these moving water periods, particularly at the top of the incoming and the start of outgoing.

Fish activity in the Sound is heating up. Early reports out of the creel checks indicate chinook salmon are scarce in the central Sound due to tight regulations, but coho are trickling through and a few resident blackmouth have been landed by dedicated trollers. Most success has come from trolling three-inch spoons or hoochies behind a flasher at 80 to 120 feet over deeper channels. The best colors lately have been green/glow and blue/silver.

Lingcod and rockfish are seeing steady action along rocky reefs and jetties. Fresh herring or scented soft plastics fished off bottom are working well. Try white or root beer colored swimbaits for lingcod. A few legal lings have come in from the Marine Area 10 and 11 reefs, with reports of solid numbers near Shilshole and Elliott Bay.

In the local rivers, cutthroat trout are responding to minnow imitations and small poppers, especially during the morning hours. For fly anglers in the estuaries and lower rivers, chum fry patterns and olive clousers continue to draw strikes.

If you’re just getting out, my top lure picks are a green/glow 3-inch Coho Killer or a chartreuse needlefish hoochie for salmon, and white curly-tail jigs or six-inch swimbaits for bottomfish. Natural baits like fresh herring or sand shrimp are prime for lingcod.

For hotspots, point your boat to the waters off Point No Point and Edmonds in the morning for a shot at coho and blackmouth. On the south end, try the Tacoma Narrows tide rips for lingcod and various bottom dwellers.

Overall, fishing is picking up as water temps rise and tides push fresh baitfish into the Sound. The bite is best during tidal swings, especially on the incoming tide mid-morning today. Good luck, keep those lines tight, and I’ll see you on the water.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for this beautiful Friday morning, May 16th, 2025.

The sun's just coming up over the Sound this morning, and we're looking at what should be a fantastic day to hit the water! Today marks the opening of a new fishing season that runs through June 30th, so timing couldn't be better.

The big news around Puget Sound continues to be the phenomenal pink salmon returns we're seeing this year. The 2025 forecast is sitting at 7.76 million pinks - that's up 70% from the 10-year average and on track to be the third largest return on record. The Green and Nisqually rivers are showing particularly strong numbers, so keep those in mind if you're targeting pinks.

Based on recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, anglers have been having good success at Point Defiance Public Ramp in Area 11 around Tacoma-Vashon Island. Another hot spot has been up north at the Bellingham Ramp at Squalicum Harbor - they've been seeing consistent action there over the past few days.

For you fly fishing enthusiasts, conditions are prime right now. The Cedar River is at ideal wading levels between 150-600 cfs, and the Snoqualmie is perfect for both wading and floating. If you're willing to venture a bit further out, the Skagit is fishing well too.

For tackle recommendations, I've been hearing silver spoons and pink hoochies have been working magic for the salmon. If you're bait fishing, herring has been the consistent producer, especially around the Point Defiance area. Don't forget to tip your jigs with a bit of cured shrimp - that's been the local secret weapon lately.

For today's hot spots, I'd recommend trying the north end of Vashon Island during the morning incoming tide, then shifting to the Edmonds waterfront as the afternoon progresses. The structure around the Kingston ferry terminal has also been holding some nice fish.

Tidal movement today should give us a nice push of fresh fish, with the tide changes creating those perfect feeding windows. The weather is cooperating too - just enough cloud cover to keep the fish from getting too skittish.

Remember, with the strong pink forecast, we're seeing more anglers on the water than usual, so get to your spots early. The Nisqually reach has been less crowded if you're looking to avoid the masses.

That's your Friday report, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and see you on the water!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, anglers. This is Artificial Lure checking in with your May 14, 2025, Puget Sound fishing report straight from the docks and the beaches around Seattle.

Today’s sunrise came at 5:33 am, with sunset expected around 8:39 pm. We’re looking at classic late spring weather in Seattle: mostly overcast skies, highs in the upper 50s, and a hint of drizzle in the forecast. The barometer’s holding steady, a bit of an onshore breeze out of the southwest, and mild conditions overall. Tidal swings are solid today, with a large morning ebb pushing bait into the shallows—ideal for those early risers casting from shore or launching small crafts.

Lingcod is the big story right now. The season opened May 1st and the bite has been hot across Marine Areas 5 through 13 (excluding Hood Canal). Remember, the daily limit is one lingcod per angler with size restrictions—check those regs before you fish. Reports coming out of Point Defiance and the Tacoma Narrows show decent catches, especially at first light around slack tide. Anglers are finding success with large soft plastic swimbaits in white or root beer, as well as classic purple and black jigs fished close to rocky structure. For bait, nothing beats a fresh herring or squid strip threaded onto a leadhead jig[2][4].

Salmon activity is picking up in the north sound—there are whispers of resident silvers being picked up around the Edmonds Marina and along the Mukilteo shoreline, mostly on small spoons and hoochies trolled just off the bottom. Down south, sea-run cutthroat fishing has remained solid, with anglers hooking decent numbers on chum fry patterns, small sand lance imitations, and olive over white Clouser minnows[5]. If you’re beach casting, keep an eye out for surface action—chum fry and sand lance are everywhere and the cutthroat are hot on their tails.

Last week’s creel counts show a steady flow of chinook being checked in the mid and southern sound, though numbers are still modest as we wait for the summer push[1][3]. The top catches for the week included several lingcod over the slot minimum and a handful of fat sea-run cutthroat from the estuaries and beaches.

Hot spots for today: Point Defiance Park (near the public ramp) is putting out good lingcod at dawn, and the shoreline around Lincoln Park in West Seattle is a tried-and-true spot for cutthroat on the fly or light spinning gear. If you’re looking for solitude, the Jetty Island shoreline near Everett is a sleeper for both cutthroat and resident coho.

Tight lines and fair tides. See you out there.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.