• Puget Sound Fishing Report: Winter Steelhead, Sea-Run Cutthroat, and Chinook Opportunities Abound

  • Feb 10 2025
  • Length: 4 mins
  • Podcast

Puget Sound Fishing Report: Winter Steelhead, Sea-Run Cutthroat, and Chinook Opportunities Abound

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  • Hello there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Puget Sound as of February 10, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. Today, the sunrise is at about 7:23 AM, and sunset will be around 4:57 PM. The weather is typical for the Pacific Northwest this time of year – overcast with a light drizzle, temperatures hovering in the mid-40s to low 50s. It's not ideal, but it's certainly fishable.

    Now, let's dive into the tidal report. For today, February 10, we have a high tide at 4:51 AM with a level of 12.1 feet, and another high tide at 14:32 PM with a level of 10.4 feet. The low tides are at 10:08 AM with a level of 7.4 feet and again at 21:34 PM with a level of -1.3 feet. These tidal changes should provide some good windows for fishing, especially during the early morning and late evening hours.

    The fish activity in Puget Sound has been quite promising lately. For those after winter steelhead, the Olympic Peninsula rivers like the Bogachiel and Calawah are still producing some hatchery fish, along with a few wild steelhead starting to show up in decent numbers. Historically, February and March are the peak months for wild steelhead returns, so we can expect the fishing to improve in the coming weeks. For steelhead, it's best to use a variety of sink tips and flies to adapt to the changing water conditions. Streamers or a double nymph rig under an indicator work well in the mornings, while dry fly fishing in the afternoons can be very productive. Flies like parachute Adams, Griffiths Gnat, WD-40, and Zebra Midge are good choices.

    In the South Puget Sound, sea-run cutthroat fishing has been improving daily. Anglers have been doing well using chum fry patterns and covering a lot of water to find active fish. Sculpin patterns, Euphausiid and Krill, and small suggestive patterns mimicking copepods and amphipods are also highly effective. Focus on slow retrieves with krill and euphasid patterns, and a floating krill pattern like the White Gartside Gurgler can be very effective.

    For salmon enthusiasts, Chinook salmon fishing is always a highlight in Puget Sound. While the peak season is usually in the summer, there are still opportunities to catch them, especially when using the right lures. Lures like the Gold Star Yamashita #35 Octopus Squid, Grand Slam Bucktails, and Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons are proven winners in these waters. If you're not set up for trolling with downriggers, vertical jigging with metal jigs like the Puget Pounder Jig can also be very effective.

    If you're looking for some hot spots, the beaches around the South Puget Sound are always a good bet. Places like Point Defiance and the shores around Vashon Island have been producing some nice catches of sea-run cutthroat and resident coho. For salmon, the areas near Tacoma and Gig Harbor have been productive, especially when using the aforementioned lures.

    In summary, today looks like a good day to get out and catch some fish in Puget Sound. With the right lures and a bit of patience, you should be able to land some nice sea-run cutthroat or even a Chinook salmon. Just remember to slow down your retrieves, especially for the cutthroat, and keep an eye out for those early morning and late evening tides.

    Tight lines, everyone
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