• April 23 Fishing Report: Blackmouth, Halibut, and Coastal Cutthroat Action Across Puget Sound

  • Apr 23 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

April 23 Fishing Report: Blackmouth, Halibut, and Coastal Cutthroat Action Across Puget Sound

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  • Good morning Puget Sound anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with your April 23 fishing report for the greater Seattle area.

    We’re off to a cool and partly cloudy start today with temps around the low 50s, expected to top out in the mid-50s by late afternoon. Winds are light from the south and a thin marine layer is lingering over the water, so don’t forget your rain gear if you’re heading out early. Sunrise was at 6:06 a.m., and sunset will come at 8:10 p.m. The tidal swing is moderate today—expect a low tide around 10:30 a.m. with the incoming making for prime action through early afternoon.

    The big news is that Marine Areas 10 and 11 are open for the early spring Chinook season, running Wednesdays through Saturdays. This fishery just kicked off April 2 and has been putting out solid action—especially for clipped hatchery blackmouth (immature Chinook) over 22 inches. The daily salmon limit is two, but only one can be a clipped Chinook; all wild Chinook and chum must be released. Most of the bites have come trolling 3-4 inch spoons or hoochies fished 90 to 140 feet down, tipped with herring or anchovy strips. Green and chartreuse flashers have been working best. Mooching cut-plug herring is also producing, especially near West Point and Jeff Head, two of today’s hottest spots. Don’t sleep on Lincoln Park either, especially during the mid-day tide push[5].

    Halibut season is officially open in select areas of Puget Sound, and early catches are already coming in. Remember, this fishery is strictly quota-managed, so watch for emergency rule changes. Catches have been best on the outgoing tide near Possession Bar using large herring, squid, or salmon belly strips on spreader bars. Aim for 200-300 feet of water[2].

    Coho and resident bait are visible along the beaches, fueling solid action for sea-run cutthroat. The cutthroat have been slashing at Chum Baby and Clouser Minnow patterns at first light. If you’re throwing hardware, small Kastmasters and Needlefish spoons in silver or copper are a local favorite. The points around Carkeek Park and the Mukilteo shoreline are producing nice cutts right now[4].

    Recent reports have seen a mix of Chinook, halibut, and sea-run cutthroat filling coolers, with the best numbers coming on days with strong tide swings and early morning starts. The North Sound beaches should start popping for cutthroat soon as well.

    Hot spots for today: Jeff Head for blackmouth, Possession Bar for halibut, and the West Seattle beaches for cutthroat.

    That’s today’s report—tight lines, and remember to check regulations before you go. This is Artificial Lure, signing off.
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