Puget Sound, Washington Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

You couldn’t ask for a more classic early June morning across the Sound: sunrise at 5:12 AM, sunset coming in late at 9:03 PM. Today’s tides are running moderate, with an early morning low just after 7:00 AM and a healthy incoming push into midday—perfect timing if you’re chasing that feeding window when salmon and baitfish get active. Winds are light, skies partly cloudy, and temps starting out in the mid-50s before nudging up to the low 70s by afternoon, giving anglers a comfortable day on the water.

Now, to the fishing: there’s real anticipation this season. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Puget Sound is set for a big year with a whopping 7.76 million pink salmon forecasted—the third largest run on record. That’s about 70% above the decade average, with especially strong pink returns expected to the Green and Nisqually Rivers. It’s not just about pinks, though: summer Chinook are drawing anglers, and the Puyallup River area’s coho forecast is up about 30% over last season. The word from local guides is that coho action remains modest for now, as the biggest push doesn’t come ‘til later in the summer, but don’t overlook those early arrivals—particularly in Marine Areas 11 and 13, targeting the South Sound and spots like the Gig Harbor shoreline and Squaxin Island net pen zones where catches have ticked up in recent days.

Creel samplers up at Point Defiance report that anglers have seen consistent cutthroat trout action, the odd early Chinook showing, and a smattering of resident coho in the mix. Out of a handful of trips this week, catches included several pinks released, two keeper Chinook, and the occasional blackmouth. The ratio tips in favor of catch-and-release, but the action is picking up.

For gear, the best bets are smaller pink buzz bombs, herring-pattern spoons, and white or chartreuse hoochies fished behind a dodger. Trolling in 60 to 120 feet, keeping near points and drop-offs, is working best. When it comes to bait, flash-frozen herring is the gold standard for salmon; for those targeting flounder and sole, a bit of sand shrimp or squid strips does the trick. If you’re after lingcod—especially near rocky reefs off Point Evans or around the Tacoma Narrows—they're hitting large soft plastics and swimbaits bounced close to the bottom.

As for hot spots, I’d call out Possession Bar off the south tip of Whidbey Island, a perennial early-summer favorite for salmon, and the Tacoma Narrows for those chasing both salmon and bottomfish in tight current seams. Elliott Bay should perk up soon as runs push into the Duwamish, so keep an eye there over the next week or two.

That wraps it up for today’s report. Thanks for tuning in, fellow anglers—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for June 1, 2025. Let's dive straight into the action!

We’ve got generous daylight with sunrise at 5:14 AM and sunset at 9:00 PM. Today brings partly cloudy skies and daytime highs near 67°F. Winds are light from the west, 5 to 10 knots, making it a picture-perfect day to hit the water. Tidal swings are dramatic this week, with a morning low around 6:50 AM rising sharply to a 10-foot high by 1:10 PM—prime time to chase baitfish as they stack up along rips and structure.

The Sound is coming alive: reports from Wind Knot Salmon Guides highlight that this season’s salmon outlook is excellent, with over 6 million fish expected in the region. While the main Chinook runs aren’t peaking until July, there’s already solid early season action on resident coho and the occasional migrating king in the mix.

Gig Harbor and the south Sound are fishing well for sea-run cutthroat, especially where chum fry are schooling near shore. The Avid Angler says small bait imitations—think 2" olive or pearl Clouser Minnows, herring, and sand lance patterns—are producing steady strikes. Carry a variety, as perch and juvenile herring are also thick around eelgrass beds.

If you’re targeting salmon in saltwater, try mooching cutplug herring or trolling Coho Killers and needlefish spoons in 40–80 feet of water during the strong outgoing tide. Possession Point at the southern tip of Whidbey Island is a classic early season bet, with bait stacking along the bar and salmon hot on their tails. Don’t overlook the Tacoma Narrows either—huge tide swings there force schools of herring and smelt into narrows, drawing salmon and lingcod right behind. Local guides are seeing good numbers of keeper lingcod this week, especially near rocky structure using white or rootbeer swimbaits and live herring.

For halibut hunters, Marine Areas 5 and 6 are still open through June 30, but you’ll want to check quotas and regs before you go. Pillar Point and Dallas Bank are producing halibut on herring and squid, with the occasional hefty fish falling to large jigs tipped with bait.

In summary, the hot spots for your week:

- Possession Bar for early coho and feeders

- Gig Harbor and Fox Island beaches for sea-run cutthroat

- Tacoma Narrows for both salmon and lingcod—just mind the tides!

That’s the scoop for June 1st. Thanks for tuning in to your Puget Sound fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips and updates throughout the season. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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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.

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Good morning, Puget Sound anglers—Artificial Lure here with your Friday, May 30th, 2025, local fishing report.

Today’s weather is classic late-May Sound: expect partly cloudy skies, a gentle marine layer burning off by mid-morning, and high temps in the mid-sixties. Winds are forecast to be light, making for smoother boating conditions. Sunrise was at 5:15 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:53 p.m.—plenty of daylight to get out and chase your favorite species.

Tidal charts show a strong high tide peaking late morning with a solid ebb through the afternoon. These moving tides are prime for working current breaks and rocky points—perfect conditions for the season’s top target: lingcod.

According to reports from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, lingcod fishing is hot right now across marine areas 5 through 13, with the season open until June 15. Anglers are regularly pulling in fish between 26 and 36 inches, the legal slot. Top baits have been live sanddabs, but if you’re running artificial, big white swimbaits or curly-tail jigs bounced right on bottom are producing. Locals are also doing well with blue-and-white bucktail jigs and 6-inch paddle tails, especially around rocky structures and artificial reefs.

Seattle’s charter captains are reporting fast action within 30 minutes of the city—think the reefs near West Point and the drop-offs around Shilshole. If you’re looking for a morning spot, Possession Bar at the south end of Whidbey Island is turning up strong numbers, especially on the outgoing tide. Down south, Tacoma Narrows is another perennial favorite, with the added bonus of some chunky kelp greenling as bycatch.

While May is usually a lull for salmon, there’s a buzz building for the upcoming pink salmon season, with a record forecast for this year. For now, keep your attention on bottomfish and the occasional sea-run cutthroat trout cruising the beaches—try small spoons or streamer flies at first and last light.

As for bait, live sanddabs or herring are the proven ticket for lingcod. If you’re working from shore or jigging artificials, go heavy enough to stay on the bottom in the current. Don’t forget: barbless hooks are required in all Puget Sound marine areas.

If you’re new to the game or want to maximize your odds, hit a couple of these hotspots:

- Possession Bar (south Whidbey Island): Drift the reefs with live bait.

- Tacoma Narrows Bridge area: Work jigs along the drop-offs on a moving tide.

That wraps your local update for this beautiful Friday—thanks for tuning in! Subscribe for more daily reports and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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

PUGET SOUND FISHING REPORT

May 28, 2025

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your midweek fishing update for the gorgeous Puget Sound region.

It's shaping up to be a beauty of a day on the water with temperatures in the mid-60s and a light northwesterly breeze. Sunrise was at 5:15 AM and we'll have light until about 9:05 PM, giving you plenty of time to get those lines wet.

The big news right now is the lingcod action, which opened up earlier this month in marine areas 5 through 13 (except Area 12 which remains closed). The daily limit is one lingcod per angler with a 26-inch minimum and 36-inch maximum size. Remember, barbless hooks are required for all species in Puget Sound marine areas 5-13, so check your tackle before heading out[2].

Recent creel reports from Point Defiance are showing some decent action in Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) with 2 boats and 5 anglers reporting catches. Area 13 (South Puget Sound) is also producing with 3 boats landing 2 fish for 5 anglers - that's about a 0.4 fish per person average[1].

Over at Mason's Resort in Area 4 (eastern portion), 14 boats with 33 anglers have been out recently, with 17 chinook landed and 6 coho in the coolers[1].

For bait, herring rigged with a spin-glo or hoochie has been the ticket for salmon, while jigs tipped with herring or squid are working well for the lingcod. Don't overlook the trusty Ace Hi flies in green and white if the bite gets finicky.

If you're looking for hot spots, I'd recommend trying the edges of Possession Bar on the incoming tide, or working the structures around Point No Point early in the morning. The Tacoma Narrows has also been producing consistently for anglers willing to deal with the currents.

For the shellfish enthusiasts, WDFW has published their 2025 best clam and oyster harvest tides chart, so grab a copy before heading to the beaches[2].

Word from the regulars is that we're expecting over 6 million salmon to push into Puget Sound this season, with strong early showings of pink salmon already being reported[3]. That's gonna make for some excellent fishing as we move into summer.

For bank anglers, the jetties near Westport and Ocean Shores are good options if you're willing to make the drive from the Sound[2].

Don't forget your 2025 license and salmon punch card! Tight lines, friends, and as we say around here - "keep the sunny side up and your hooks baited." See you on the water!

- Artificial Lure

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

PUGET SOUND FISHING REPORT - Monday, May 26, 2025

Good morning anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Memorial Day fishing update for Puget Sound.

The bite is on, folks! Yesterday's reports show salmon, lingcod, and halibut action has been strong throughout the Sound. Those salmon return forecasts for 2025 are looking mighty fine with over 6 million fish expected to return to our waters.

Lingcod season is in full swing across marine areas 5-13 (except Area 12/Hood Canal which remains closed). Remember your regs: one lingcod per angler, 26-inch minimum and 36-inch maximum size. If you're into spearfishing, that season runs until June 15th.

Sea-run cutthroat action continues to be productive, especially in the South Sound where they've been chasing chum fry. We're also hearing reports of some resident silvers making appearances. The massive tidal swings we're experiencing are moving plenty of bait around, creating prime feeding conditions.

For those cutthroat, pack a variety of patterns - chum fry imitations are your go-to, but bring some sand lance, herring patterns, and maybe even some surface flies in case they get picky. Remember, this time of year those fish have options on the menu including herring, sand lance, and shiner perch.

For bottomfish anglers, you'll want to stay in waters less than 120 feet deep throughout Puget Sound. Don't forget those barbless hooks are required for all species in marine areas 5-13.

Hot spots this week: Cornet Bay has been producing well with reports of solid catches in Areas 6 and 7. The beaches of South Puget Sound are firing for sea-runs, particularly during these large tidal exchanges.

For those without boats, jetty fishing opportunities near Westport, Ocean Shores, and Ilwaco remain productive options.

Bait and lure recommendations: Herring has been the top producer for salmon, while jigs tipped with herring or squid are working for lingcod. For the cutthroat, small olive or chartreuse clouser minnows in sizes 4-6 have been the ticket.

Remember to check your specific area regulations before heading out as rules can vary throughout the Sound. With the holiday crowds, launch early and be patient at the ramps.

That's the word from the water today, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and may your coolers be full! See you on the water.

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

Good morning! This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Puget Sound fishing report for May 25, 2025. The day looks promising for anglers in and around Puget Sound, so let's dive into the details.

Today, the tides are favorable for fishing, with the main high tide occurring mid-morning and the low tide late afternoon. The current weather is mild and partly cloudy, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-60s Fahrenheit by midday and a light breeze coming from the northwest. Sunrise was around 5:15 am, and sunset will be at about 8:55 pm, giving plenty of daylight for fishing adventures.

Fish activity has been solid in recent days, especially for salmon and lingcod. The 2025 salmon return forecasts are excellent, and anglers are reporting good catches of Chinook and Coho salmon near the mouth of the Snohomish River and around the San Juan Islands. Lingcod fishing opened May 1 and remains productive, particularly around rocky structure and reefs in the central and southern parts of Puget Sound. The lingcod daily limit is one per angler, with minimum size of 26 inches and maximum of 36 inches.

Halibut season is underway in the Puget Sound and adjacent areas as well. The daily limit for halibut is one fish of any size, and anglers need a catch card to record their catch. Hot spots for halibut include the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca near Hein Bank and Protection Island, as well as around Sekiu and Clallam Bay to the west. These areas offer good bottom structure favored by halibut.

For bait and lures, the best bets right now are hoochies, spoons, and flashers for salmon. Anchovies and herring work well as bait. For lingcod and bottomfish like rockfish, soft plastics and jigs tipped with squid or anchovy strips are highly effective. For halibut, large circle hooks baited with herring or salmon belly chunks are your go-to.

Two local hot spots to try today are Possession Bar near the southern end of Admiralty Inlet, known for excellent salmon and lingcod action, and the deeper waters around the San Juan Islands, especially near the banks and ledges where bottomfish and halibut have been plentiful.

Remember, all Puget Sound marine anglers must use barbless hooks for lingcod, bottomfish, and halibut, so make sure your gear is compliant. Good luck out there! With the right tides, weather, and bait, you should have a rewarding day on the water.

Tight lines,

Artificial Lure, your Puget Sound fishing expert

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

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Today’s sunrise came early at 5:23 a.m., and sunset will be around 8:47 p.m., so you have plenty of daylight to get lines in the water. The weather is shaping up to be classic late-May—partly cloudy with daytime highs pushing the low 60s and a mild breeze out of the southwest, great for a day on the Sound.

Tides are in our favor today, with an early-morning low right around sunrise and a decent mid-morning incoming. Fish are generally more active on incoming tides, so time your trip accordingly for the best bite.

Let’s talk fish activity. The creel reports from the Puget Sound this week show solid catches of resident blackmouth (immature Chinook) in Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton), especially around Shilshole and in the waters near Edmonds. Most boats are reporting between one and two keeper Chinook per trip, with a handful of hatchery coho in the mix as well[1]. The sea-run cutthroat action has been consistent for shore anglers, especially along the west side of Whidbey and on the beaches near Lincoln Park.

As for lures and bait, you can’t go wrong right now with 3- to 4-inch herring or anchovy trolled behind a green or purple haze flasher for Chinook. Try running your gear 90 to 120 feet down in the shipping lanes, or off the bottom near Possession Bar and Jeff Head—two hot spots that have seen steady action this week. For coho and cutthroat, small Coho Killers, needlefish hoochies in white or pink, and sand lance-pattern flies have all produced fish. If you’re fly fishing off the beach, try an olive clouser or a small chum baby pattern on an intermediate line[4].

Halibut reports have tapered off as much of the spring season is winding down, but deep water haunts off Bush Point and Double Bluff are still worth a look, especially if you can get out early before boat traffic picks up[5].

Best bets today: Hit Possession Bar on the incoming tide for Chinook and Jeff Head for a mixed bag of resident salmon. For the shore crowd, Lincoln Park and Richmond Beach are holding cutthroat and the odd early coho.

Overall, fishing is solid right now and only heating up as we head into June. Make sure to check the latest WDFW rules before heading out, especially with some area closures and selective gear regulations in play[2]. Good luck and tight lines out there!

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

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

We’re kicking off the long weekend with classic Pacific Northwest late-spring conditions—expect morning clouds burning off to filtered sunshine, calm seas, and air temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s. Sunrise came at 5:23 am this morning and sunset will be at 8:48 pm, giving plenty of daylight to chase fish. Tides are working in our favor: a morning high of around 12 feet at 7:26 am dropped to a -0.9 foot low at 1:43 pm, and another big high will swing in close to 13.5 feet just before 10 pm. Those tide changes are your best shot—fish move and feed with the water, especially around the bottom half of the outgoing and first push of the incoming tide[5].

Lingcod season is open and the bite has been reliable across Marine Areas 5 through 13, with hotspots around Point Defiance, Possession Bar, and the Tacoma Narrows. Anglers are reporting fish in the 28 to 34 inch range, mostly on lead-head jigs tipped with herring or curlytail plastics. Don’t forget: barbless hooks are mandatory and stick to shallower than 120 feet for bottomfish[2].

Chinook action continues on the upswing in the Tacoma-Vashon corridor and South Sound. Recent creel reports out of Point Defiance and the Tacoma boathouses show steady catch rates of hatchery kings, most caught trolling 3.5-inch herring J-plugs or anchovy rigs behind flashers. Early coho are showing sporadically and will pick up as we hit June[5].

The big story this season is the predicted return of nearly 7.8 million pink salmon—almost double the average. We’re not seeing pinks yet, but it’s shaping up to be an epic summer, so gear up with pink buzz bombs, mini-hoochies, and bead-chain spinners for when they arrive in force[3][5].

Halibut remains open in Marine Areas 5 and 6, and Sekiu plus the eastern Strait banks are solid bets. Drift a large herring or octopus-tipped jig right off the bottom on the deep edges for your best shot. Remember the daily limit is one fish of any size, and make sure your catch card is up to date[4].

Hot spots today: Point Defiance (for Chinook and lingcod) and Possession Bar (for lingcod and halibut). Early risers also had luck off Edmonds and Brown’s Point.

Best baits and lures: Herring and anchovy rigs, white and chartreuse curlytail jigs for bottomfish, and the trusty green or cop-car flasher for salmon. As summer heats up, have a few pink patterns ready for the pinks.

That’s the word on the water. Tight lines, everyone, and respect the limits—we’re in for a banner season.

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

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

The Sound is buzzing with excitement this week thanks to epic forecasts for returning salmon. Over 6 million salmon are expected to push into Puget Sound this season, and we’re already hearing about strong early showings—especially pink salmon, with a massive run of around 7.7 million forecasted for 2025, nearly double the usual numbers. Chinook and coho are in the mix as well, and things are just getting fired up for the summer[3][4].

Today’s weather is classic late May: expect partly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 60s, light wind out of the west, and only a slight chance of a passing shower. Sunrise was at 5:23 AM and sunset comes at 8:45 PM, giving you a full window for morning and evening bites—prime time for salmon and sea-run cutthroat to get active.

Tide-wise, we’re looking at a moderate morning ebb transitioning to a rising tide by midday, which is perfect for targeting salmon moving up on points and beaches. The spot shrimp opener is creating a ton of buzz today, with several marine areas opening up. Check your regulations, since areas like the eastern portion of Admiralty Inlet (Marine Area 9 east of Possession Point to Apple Cove Point), Marine Area 10, and most of South Sound are either closed or have limited shrimping due to low abundance this year[2].

On the salt, reports from the creel surveys show anglers catching a mix of Chinook and coho from the West Port Angeles Ramp (Area 6) and steady action near Sekiu and Pillar Point (Area 5), with local limits hit quickly during openers[1]. Early pink salmon have been taken on pink hoochies, buzz bombs, and small spoons retrieved with a sharp twitch. Coho are hitting small flashers paired with green or white hoochies behind a downrigger set 50 to 80 feet. For chinook, stick with 3.5-inch herring-pattern spoons or trolling whole herring in the top 60 feet early, then dropping deeper as the sun climbs.

If you’re after sea-run cutthroat or resident coho, the beaches between Dash Point and Browns Point and the shorelines around Edmonds and Mukilteo have produced well on olive-and-white Clouser minnows, small spoons, or soft plastics.

A couple of hot spots to circle on your map:

- Sekiu and Pillar Point for early salmon, especially pinks and coho, trolling along the kelp beds and points

- West Point near Shilshole for chinook and coho, especially on the first of the incoming tide

Live herring remains the best bait for chinook, while shrimp bits are sought after if you can get in on the opener. Pink lures and buzz bombs are the ticket for pinks, and don’t overlook traditional flashers and hoochies for coho.

That’s your report for today. Tight lines and good luck out there—looks like it’s going to be a historic season on the Sound.

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