Today, April 4, 2025, marks an excellent time for anglers in Puget Sound, Seattle, as both the early Chinook salmon season and halibut fishing are underway. The weather is cooperative, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures moving from the mid-40s in the morning to the mid-50s during the afternoon. Winds are light, providing calm conditions on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM, and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, offering ample fishing opportunities.

**Weather and Tides**
Tidal conditions are key when planning your outing. The outgoing tide is productive near Jeff Head's south side and inside Kingston's bowl. On the incoming tide, fish the north side of Jeff Head by President’s Point or the outer bar near Kingston.

**Fish Activity and Catch Reports**
Chinook salmon, especially Blackmouth Chinook, are the target of choice with the recently opened Marine Areas 10 and 11. Successful catches have been reported in depths ranging from 90 to 200 feet, with many legal-size clipped Chinook (over 22 inches) landed. Wild Chinook and chum salmon must be released, but anglers are seeing good action overall. Marine Area 10 has a catch guideline of 4,787 encounters for April, while Marine Area 11 is limited to 1,196 encounters.

Today is also the second day of halibut fishing in Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Halibut fishing is quota-driven, so anglers must record catches and adhere to a one-fish daily limit.

**Best Lures and Baits**
For Chinook salmon:
- Trolling setups with flashers and Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons in patterns like "Cookies and Cream" and "Irish Cream" are top producers.
- Tomic Plugs (#602 or #603) are also effective, especially when placed 30-40 feet behind the downrigger clip.
- Mooching with herring or vertical jigging with Puget Pounder Jigs are great alternatives for fishing near the bottom.

For halibut, try fishing with brined herring or squid. Ensure your gear reaches the bottom, as halibut are typically found at depths of 150 to 350 feet.

**Hot Spots**
- **Marine Area 10:** Jeff Head and Kingston are prime spots. Fish the south side of Jeff Head during the outgoing tide and near President’s Point on the north side during the incoming tide. Kingston’s inner bowl is productive for outgoing tides, while the outer bar performs well on incoming tides.
- **Marine Area 11:** Target Point Defiance areas such as the Slag Pile and Clay Banks on outgoing tides. Dalco Point near Vashon Island is another great spot when the tide is flooding.

Today offers ideal conditions to enjoy Puget Sound’s rich fisheries. Whether you’re trolling for spring Blackmouth Chinook or dropping bait for halibut, the action is heating up. Tight lines, and don’t forget to comply with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules to keep our fisheries sustainable!