Best Months to Fish by Area

Coastal Rivers

Columbia River and Tributaries

Marine Areas

Puget Sound Rivers

Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal Rivers

Lower and Middle Yakima River

Marine Areas

Salmon caught in Illwaco, Westport, LaPush, and Neah Bay (Marine Areas 1 - 4) are mostly Columbia River stocks. Chinook are the primary salmon caught early, with coho coming on strong in August and September, although coho can be abundant at Illwaco early. Willapa Bay (Area 2-1) and Grays Harbor (Area 2-2) provide opportunity on mostly local stocks. Be sure to check the regulations before heading out. In inner Puget Sound marine areas, local stocks of chinook, coho, pink (odd numbered years) and chum provide most of the opportunity. Chinook generally return in July and August, coho in September and October, pink in August and September, and chum in November and December.

A printable version of the table below is available here.