Episodios

  • Puget Sound Fishing Report for May 25, 2025: Salmon, Lingcod, and Halibut Bites Strong

    Puget Sound Fishing Report for May 25, 2025: Salmon, Lingcod, and Halibut Bites Strong
    May 25 2025
    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
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    3 m
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Chinook, Coho, and Cutthroat Thrive in Late-May Conditions

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Chinook, Coho, and Cutthroat Thrive in Late-May Conditions
    May 24 2025
    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!
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    3 m
  • Late Spring Fishing Bonanza - Puget Sound 2025 Update

    Late Spring Fishing Bonanza - Puget Sound 2025 Update
    May 23 2025
    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.
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    3 m
  • Puget Sound Salmon Bonanza: Massive Runs, Epic Angling Ahead in 2025

    Puget Sound Salmon Bonanza: Massive Runs, Epic Angling Ahead in 2025
    May 21 2025
    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.
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    3 m
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Lingcod, Salmon, Trout, and More for May 19, 2025

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Lingcod, Salmon, Trout, and More for May 19, 2025
    May 19 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Monday, May 19, 2025.

    The weather today is shaping up nicely for a day on the water. Expect partly cloudy skies, mild temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s, and a light breeze—perfect spring conditions for both boat and shore fishing. Sunrise was at 5:28 am and you’ll have until sunset at 8:45 pm to get lines in the water.

    Tides today are moderate, with a morning high tide around 7:00 am and a late afternoon low just before 3:00 pm. Plan your fishing around that morning tide swing for the best action, particularly near structure and current breaks.

    Let’s talk fish. The lingcod opener in Puget Sound is in full swing, running through June 15. Anglers have reported consistent catches, especially around rocky shorelines, jetties, and reefs in Marine Areas 5 through 13. Lingcod are biting well on large soft plastics like white or rootbeer swimbaits, and live bait herring is also drawing strikes. Just make sure you’re fishing in less than 120 feet, as deeper waters are off-limits for bottomfish right now. Remember, only one lingcod per angler, with size limits in effect—check those regs before you keep anything[3].

    For salmon seekers, the Sound has been a bit quieter, but you might still bump into some late blackmouth (resident Chinook) in deeper slots, especially around Point No Point and Jeff Head. Trolling with green or white hootchies behind a flasher has done well, but always check the current regulations as some areas and species remain closed[1][3].

    On the fly side, cutthroat trout are active along the beaches. Reports from the past weekend mention good numbers chasing small baitfish patterns, especially on the outgoing tide. Olive or chartreuse Clouser minnows are the ticket—strip fast and cover water for these aggressive feeders[2].

    Other notable catches include piling perch and the odd black rockfish near shoreline structure. Try shrimp or squid strips under a bobber if you’re fishing with bait.

    Hot spots this week: Possession Bar is producing lingcod and the usual mix of flounder and sole. Richmond Beach is a solid bet for shore casters targeting cutthroat. Point No Point continues to be a favorite for both salmon and bottomfish.

    That’s your report for today—watch the weather, mind the tides, and don’t forget to pinch your barbs on those hooks. Good luck out there and tight lines!
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    3 m
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Lingcod Sizzle, Pink Salmon Surge, and Clam Tide Highlights

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Lingcod Sizzle, Pink Salmon Surge, and Clam Tide Highlights
    May 18 2025
    Hey there anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Puget Sound fishing report for this beautiful Sunday morning, May 18, 2025.

    The sun rose about 5:30 this morning and will set around 8:45 tonight, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water. Weather's looking decent today with temperatures in the mid-60s, light winds, and partly cloudy skies - perfect conditions for a day on the Sound.

    Lingcod fishing is really heating up across Puget Sound right now. The season opened May 1st and runs through June 15th in marine areas 5 through 13, except Area 12 which remains closed. Folks have been having good success with one fish per angler, and remember the size limits are strict - minimum 26 inches, maximum 36 inches. If you're into spearfishing for lingcod, that option opens in just a few days on May 21st.

    Recent creel reports show promising action, especially around Area 5 near Sekiu and Pillar Point, where anglers are landing some nice catches. Barbless hooks are mandatory throughout Puget Sound areas 5-13 for all species, so make sure your tackle box is compliant before heading out.

    The big news this year is the pink salmon forecast - we're expecting 7.76 million pinks in Puget Sound this season, which is a whopping 70% above the 10-year average and potentially the third largest return on record. While they're not quite here yet, it's time to get your gear ready for when they arrive.

    For bait, herring has been the consistent producer for lingcod, while some anglers are having luck with large jigs in white or chartreuse. If you're targeting bottomfish, try a variety of paddle tail jigs or curly tail grubs on a 1-2 oz jighead.

    Hot spots this weekend include the waters around Possession Bar, Point No Point, and Possession Point. The eastern side of Marine Area 4 has also been producing, with locals reporting multiple catches per outing.

    For those of you planning ahead, the clam and oyster harvest is worth considering. WDFW has published their 2025 best clam and oyster harvest tides chart, which highlights the most favorable Puget Sound tides for successful harvests.

    Remember that fishing for bottomfish including lingcod is prohibited in waters deeper than 120 feet in Puget Sound, and keep an eye out for the quality assurance updates on the creel reports from WDFW, as their initial data often gets refined.

    As always, check the regulations before heading out, and make sure you've got your license current. Tight lines, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. See you on the water!
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    3 m
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Salmon Surge, Bottomfish Bites, and River Runoff Ready

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Salmon Surge, Bottomfish Bites, and River Runoff Ready
    May 17 2025
    Artificial Lure's Puget Sound Fishing Report - May 17, 2025

    Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing report for beautiful Puget Sound.

    The salmon season is looking promising with forecasts showing over 6 million fish expected to return to Puget Sound this year, though chinook retention regulations remain tight[3]. Recent creel reports from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife show some decent catch rates, especially around Point Defiance where anglers have been averaging 0.19 fish per rod in Area 11[1].

    Today's weather is typical May conditions - morning fog burning off to partly cloudy skies with light westerly winds picking up in the afternoon. Sunrise was at 5:24 AM with sunset coming at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet.

    Tides today show a low at 10:23 AM followed by a high at 4:52 PM - that incoming tide should trigger some good action, especially for sea-run cutthroat trout along the beaches.

    For those targeting salmon, recent samplings show some success at Van Ripers Resort in Area 5 and Point Defiance in Area 11[1]. Chartreuse Coyote spoons and white hoochies behind flashers have been working well in the upper water column, especially during the first light and last light periods.

    If you're after bottomfish, the creel data shows decent lingcod catches around Point Defiance and Shilshole[1]. Jigs in the 4-6 oz range tipped with herring or artificial swimbaits are doing the trick in 60-120 feet of water.

    The river fishing in our region is also heating up. Current river levels look good for both wading and floating on the Skykomish, Skagit, and Snoqualmie[4]. These rivers are ideal for fishing right now, with the Skykomish showing water flows between 700-7000 CFS - perfect conditions for steelhead action. Don't forget your March Brown and skwala patterns if you're fly fishing[5].

    Hot spots this weekend:

    Point Defiance is producing well for salmon trollers. Get there early to beat the weekend crowd and fish the tide change.

    Shilshole ramp area has been giving up some nice catches lately, with reports of chinook in the 8-12 pound range[1].

    For river anglers, the Skykomish is your best bet with good water conditions and active fish.

    Remember folks, the 2025 regs require barbless hooks in most areas and selective gear rules are in effect on many rivers. The chinook are running a bit smaller than last year, but what they lack in size they're making up for in numbers.

    Until next time, keep your lines tight and your nets ready. This is Artificial Lure signing off - I'll see you on the water!
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    3 m
  • Puget Sound Fishing Report: Salmon, Flounder, and Abundant Pinks in 2025

    Puget Sound Fishing Report: Salmon, Flounder, and Abundant Pinks in 2025
    May 16 2025
    Good morning Puget Sound anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your May 16, 2025 fishing report.

    Today greets us with mild spring conditions that should make for a comfortable day on the water. Sunrise rolled in at 5:28 AM and sunset will close shop at 8:38 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work the Sound. Weather is expected to stay mostly cloudy with light winds, temperatures hovering in the upper 50s to low 60s, and just a slim chance of drizzle—ideal conditions for both boat and shore fishing.

    For tides, we’re sitting on a moderate exchange today. This morning’s low tide hit around 4:30 AM, followed by a rising tide peaking close to midday. The afternoon outgoing tide should stir up the bait and get the predators moving, especially around the rips and points.

    The chatter has mostly been about salmon and flounder. Creel reports from the last couple days show steady action: Chinook are still a little tight, with success mainly for those putting in the hours at the Tacoma-Vashon area and Point No Point. The big news is the early signs of a huge pink salmon run in 2025. The forecast is for 7.76 million pinks into Puget Sound this year—nearly double the usual average—so keep your eyes open for jumpers and get your gear ready for July and August, when the action really kicks off[2][5]. For now, expect increasing encounters with early pinks around the Nisqually and Green rivers, with better numbers to come.

    Lingcod and rockfish are consistent catches for those fishing structure and reefs. Recent catches out of the Edmonds marina and Possession Bar included legal lings, especially on the outgoing tide. Flounder fishing is fair in the Elliott Bay and Commencement Bay flats, with sand dabs in good eating size on simple dropper rigs.

    Best lures this morning are chartreuse Buzz Bombs, Point Wilson Darts, and small pink hoochies for those early pinks. Coho Killers and 3-inch spoons trolled fast are pulling in some resident coho as well. If you’re targeting bottomfish, nothing beats a white grub on a leadhead for lingcod, or a simple herring-tipped rig for flounder.

    As for bait, herring or anchovy strips are top choices for Chinook and coho. Scented soft plastics can be deadly on both salmon and bottomfish, especially when the bite is slow.

    Two hotspots to consider today: Point Defiance, where the tide swing and underwater structure hold both salmon and lings, and Possession Bar for those after bigger Chinook and regular encounters with legal lings. Don’t overlook the southern Green River mouth if you want an early shot at pinks.

    That’s your May 16 report—tight lines out there, and remember: sometimes the best lure is persistence. See you on the water!
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    3 m
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