Fishing Seasons and Regulations

Keep your fishing trip logistically on the right path with season and regulation info.

Coho

Coho Salmon can be caught in Washington lakes, rivers and saltwater. River fishing happens in September and October, while saltwater fishing can be had in July and October. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More info on Coho.

Sockeye

Sockeye Salmon (aka Reds) are a freshwater-only fish, found in Washington lakes and rivers in summer months, with peak season in July and August. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More on Sockeye.

Kokanee

Kokanee salmon (sometimes called Silver trout) are a form of landlocked Sockeye salmon. Although Kokanee can be caught into fall, the best fishing is between March and June. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More on Kokanee.

Pink

Washington’s Pink Salmon (aka humpback or humpy) can be found in Puget Sound saltwater and rivers. Because of the migratory habits of pinks, fishing seasons occur in odd years, usually in August and September. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More on Pink Salmon.

Steelhead

Steelhead can be found in lakes, rivers and saltwater in Washington. There are two steelhead runs a year: winter’s ranges from November to February while the summer run happens in June and July. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More on Steelhead.

Bottomfish

The term “bottomfish” covers a number of different fish species, including halibut, lingcod and varieties of rockfish. Most Washington bottomfishing occurs along the coast, with Lingcod season occurring in May and June and Halibut season happening between April and June. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More info on bottomfish.

Sturgeon

Catch and Release only. Year ‘round Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet.

Bass

Bass can be found all year in many Washington lakes, with March – October as prime fishing. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet.

More on bass:
Largemouth Bass
Rock Bass
Smallmouth Bass

Trout

Trout can be found in Washington lakes and rivers year-round, with fishing season usually beginning around April and ending in the fall. Common species include brook, brown, cutthroat, lake and rainbow trout. Find official season info in WDFW’s sporting pamphlet. More on trout.

Squid

Squid are caught in Washington from May to January. Their migratory habits dictate where along the coast they can be caught as the season progresses. The season begins in Neah Bay and ends in south Puget Sound. More on squid.

Crab

Three types of crab are okay to catch and keep in Washington: Dungeness, Red Rock and Tanner. These crabs are found in marine areas along the coast.

Summer: July – Labor Day
Winter: October – December

Check the season dates for each marine area.

Razor Clam

Razor clams can be found in a number of intertidal beaches on the coast.
Oct-April.

See the season information for various beaches.

Crawdad

Crawdads can be found in lakes, rivers and creeks throughout the state.
May – October

Shrimp

Shrimp can be found along the Washington Coast, with the largest and most commonly hunted being spot shrimp.
May - June

See when each marine area is open for shrimping.

Contact support

Call or send a message to Triangle Bait & Tackle for more help.

Suggestions?

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