• Puget Sound Spring Salmon on the Bite - Blackmouth Chinook and Pinks Running Strong

  • Apr 20 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Puget Sound Spring Salmon on the Bite - Blackmouth Chinook and Pinks Running Strong

Listen for free

View show details

  • Summary

  • This is Artificial Lure with your Puget Sound fishing report for Sunday, April 20, 2025, straight from the heart of Seattle.

    We’re in the thick of prime time for spring salmon, and the buzz around the docks is all about the blackmouth Chinook. Early Chinook season is open now in Marine Areas 10 and 11 — that means from Seattle’s Shilshole down to the Tacoma Narrows, it’s game on for salmon every Wednesday through Saturday. The opener started on April 2 and folks are picking up a nice class of spring kings. Most of the Chinook caught recently are running between 6 and 12 pounds, with some bigger fish being boated by those putting in time trolling or mooching deep. Remember, the daily limit is 2 salmon, but only 1 can be a clipped Chinook over 22 inches, and make sure to release all wild Chinook and chum[4][5].

    The pink salmon run forecast is massive this year — over 7.7 million expected back — third-biggest ever for the Sound. We’re still a bit out from peak season, but a few early pinks have already been reported in the southern Sound, so if you want to try your luck, small pink hoochies or buzz bombs are a good bet[4].

    Tide movement today is excellent for fishing. High tide hits just after sunrise at 7:26 am around 12 feet, with a low bottoming out at -0.9 feet at 1:43 pm, and a solid evening push up to 13.5 feet just before 10 pm. These tide swings set up great opportunities, especially during the morning high and afternoon flood when salmon like to move and feed[2].

    Weather is classic spring Puget Sound — cool, upper 50s to low 60s, patchy clouds, and light winds. Sunrise was at 6:20 am, with sunset coming at 8:02 pm, so you’ve got plenty of daylight to work your favorite spots[2].

    Best lures right now are chartreuse or green flashers paired with herring or anchovy, either trolled behind a downrigger or mooched deep. If you’re targeting Chinook, try a 3- to 3.5-inch spoon, or hoochies in white, green, or glow, fished 80 to 150 feet down. For early pinks, pink mini hoochies, buzz bombs, or small spoons are drawing strikes. Herring and anchovy work great as bait, both trolled or fished under a float[4][5].

    Local hotspots include Jefferson Head and Richmond Beach for blackmouth, with several nice keepers coming in each day. Down south, the Tacoma Narrows is producing well, and don’t sleep on the Clay Banks near Point Defiance, especially on a moving tide[4][5].

    Get out early, fish those tide changes, and be safe out there. Tight lines!
    Show more Show less
Show more Show less
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup

What listeners say about Puget Sound Spring Salmon on the Bite - Blackmouth Chinook and Pinks Running Strong

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available