FishKillFlea Washington is the Pacific salmon capital of the Lower 48 — with Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula rainforest rivers, Columbia River systems, and high Cascade lakes. From King salmon to steelhead to native trout, the Evergreen State delivers world-class angling.
Puget Sound & Pacific Coast
| Location | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan Islands | Chinook, lingcod, halibut | Premium charter destination |
| Westport (Grays Harbor) | Chinook, lingcod, rockfish | WA's #1 charter port |
| Neah Bay | Halibut, lingcod, Chinook | NW tip of WA — massive halibut |
| Elliott Bay (Seattle) | Chinook, Dungeness crab | Urban salmon fishing from piers |
Olympic Peninsula & Steelhead Rivers
- Hoh River: Wild steelhead in temperate rainforest — legendary winter runs
- Sol Duc River: Wild steelhead, Chinook — Olympic National Park
- Queets River: Remote wilderness steelhead — fly-fishing paradise
- Skagit River: Largest river system in Puget Sound — wild steelhead, Chinook, coho
Columbia River System
- Buoy 10 (Astoria area): Legendary fall Chinook fishery at the Columbia mouth
- Bonneville Dam: Spring Chinook — the most anticipated run in the PNW
- Hanford Reach: Wild Chinook — the last free-flowing section of the Columbia
Eastern WA & Cascade Lakes
- Yakima River: Wild rainbow trout — catch-and-release blue ribbon water
- Lake Chelan: Deep mountain lake — Chinook, mackinaw, kokanee
- Rufus Woods Lake: Trophy triploid rainbow trout (20+ lbs)
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Fishing | Top Spots |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Spring Chinook, steelhead, opening day trout | Columbia, Yakima, pass lakes |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Puget Sound salmon, halibut, bass | San Juans, Westport, Neah Bay |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Buoy 10 Chinook, coho, fall steelhead | Columbia mouth, Skagit, rivers |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Winter steelhead, crabbing, whitefish | Olympic rivers, Puget Sound |
Get your WA fishing license and explore the Evergreen State →