Puget Sound Fishing: Chinook, Coho, and Halibut Action Around Seattle

Artificial Lure here with the Sunday, June 22nd Puget Sound fishing report for the Seattle area.

Let’s start with the conditions. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 AM and sunset will fall at 9:11 PM, giving you plenty of daylight. The weather is classic June: cool in the morning, warming up into the high 60s by midday, with high clouds and a light breeze. Water temps are holding steady in the mid-50s, and those tidal swings are big this weekend—expect lots of bait movement and active fish, especially around rips and current breaks, according to the Puget Sound Seattle Daily Fishing Report.

Fish activity is ramping up. Recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife show solid Chinook salmon action in Marine Areas 9 and 10, with anglers pulling in respectable numbers of 8 to 15 pounders closer to Edmonds and Shilshole. Resident Coho, or “silvers,” are starting to show in better numbers, especially on the outgoing tide—these fish are feisty, with most catches averaging 3 to 6 pounds. Some pink salmon have been spotted farther north, but the big push is still a few weeks away, as noted in the latest Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Life Outdoors Report.

Halibut season is still open through the end of June in Puget Sound marine areas 5 through 10. While the best action has been out toward Possession Bar, you’ll find occasional keepers near Point No Point—just remember the daily limit is one fish, no minimum size, and barbless hooks are required for all bottomfish and halibut.

For lures, trollers are finding success with 3” to 4” herring or anchovy imitation spoons behind green or chartreuse flashers. Coho Killers and Ace Hi Flies in white glow or green splatter patterns are working well. Mooching cut-plug herring in 60-120 feet has also produced Chinook, especially near West Point and Jefferson Head. For shore anglers, try casting Buzz Bombs in silver, pink, or blue from beaches at Lincoln Park or Golden Gardens at dawn.

If you’re after sea-run cutthroat on the fly, stick to baitfish patterns and intermediate lines—Emerald Water Anglers says clouser minnows and small herring imitations are the ticket right now, especially in the morning in the South Sound and along the beaches of Bainbridge.

Hot spots this week include:

- West Point for Chinook and Coho action, especially on the outgoing tide
- Jefferson Head for deeper trolling and halibut
- Lincoln Park and Golden Gardens for shore casting to Coho at dawn

Crabbing season opens in early July, so be sure to check WDFW regulations for your area and get your gear ready.

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