Seattle Fishing Seasons: When to Book Your Charter
A month-by-month guide to fishing in Seattle. Learn what is running, where to go, and when to book your charter for the best shot at salmon, halibut, lingcod, and more.
Seattle's fishing calendar runs year-round, but what you can catch — and where — changes dramatically by month. Knowing the seasonal patterns is the difference between booking a trip at the perfect time and showing up a week too early or too late.
This month-by-month guide covers every major fishery accessible from Seattle: salmon (all five species), halibut, lingcod, rockfish, crab, and more. Use it to plan your charter trip for maximum success.
The Seattle Fishing Calendar at a Glance
Before diving into the details, here is a quick-reference table showing when each species is available:
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook (King) | * | * | * | X | X | XX | XX | X | * | |||
| Coho (Silver) | X | XX | X | |||||||||
| Pink Salmon | X | XX | X | |||||||||
| Sockeye | X | X | ||||||||||
| Chum | X | X | X | |||||||||
| Halibut | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||
| Lingcod | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||
| Rockfish | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Dungeness Crab | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
XX = peak season, X = good fishing, * = blackmouth (resident Chinook) available
January and February: Winter Blackmouth and Lingcod
Winter is the quiet season on Puget Sound, but there is still good fishing to be had. The two main targets are blackmouth Chinook and lingcod.
Blackmouth Chinook are resident king salmon that stay in the Sound year-round rather than migrating to the ocean. They tend to be smaller than summer-run Chinook (5-15 pounds typical, with occasional fish to 20), but they are fun to catch and great to eat. The central Sound — from Shilshole to Edmonds to Point No Point — is the primary fishing area.
Lingcod season opens in mid-October and runs through mid-April (check current WDFW regulations for exact dates). Lingcod are aggressive, ugly, and delicious. They ambush prey from rocky structure, and jigs tipped with herring or plastic swimbaits are the standard approach. The San Juan Islands produce the largest lingcod, but there is good fishing on structure throughout the central Sound.
Booking tip: Winter charters are easy to book with short notice. Prices are often lower, and you will have the water to yourself. Weather is the main variable — expect rain and gray skies, but dress for it and you will have a great time.
March and April: Transition Season
March and April are the quietest months on the fishing calendar. Lingcod season closes in mid-April. Blackmouth fishing continues but is generally slower as resident Chinook disperse.
What to do: If you are itching to fish, rockfish (yelloweye, copper, quillback) are available year-round on reef structure. River fishing for winter steelhead on the Skagit, Snoqualmie, and Skykomish rivers is another option — this is a specialized fishery, but Seattle has excellent steelhead guides.
Booking tip: This is a great time to book a river steelhead trip. Competition for charter dates is low, and guides appreciate the business. Check Seattle fishing guides on Hooks.ly for steelhead options.
May and June: Halibut Opens, Chinook Return
The fishing calendar kicks into high gear in May. Two major fisheries open almost simultaneously.
Halibut season typically opens in May (exact dates are set annually by the International Pacific Halibut Commission). Puget Sound halibut fishing is concentrated in the northern Sound and San Juan Islands, where these flatfish feed on sandy and mixed-substrate bottoms at depths of 100-300 feet. A 20-30 pound halibut is a good fish in the Sound, with the occasional barn door exceeding 100 pounds.
Chinook salmon fishing shifts from blackmouth to returning ocean fish by late May and June. The early Chinook runs are often bound for rivers further north (Fraser River, Skagit River), but they pass through Puget Sound waters and are available to charter anglers.
Combo trips that target both halibut and Chinook are popular in May and June. A full-day charter gives you time to fish bottom for halibut in the morning and troll for salmon in the afternoon.
Booking tip: Halibut openings fill up fast. Book your May/June charter 1-2 months in advance, especially for weekend dates. This is when the season starts to get competitive.
July: Peak Chinook, Pink Salmon Arrive
July is one of the best months to fish out of Seattle. The fisheries are stacking up:
Chinook salmon fishing hits its stride. Large runs of kings pass through the Sound en route to rivers throughout Puget Sound and British Columbia. Fish in the 15-25 pound range are common, with trophy fish possible. This is the month when big Chinook are caught off Point No Point, Possession Point, and the San Juan Islands.
Pink salmon begin arriving in odd-numbered years. When pinks show up, the fishing is fast and furious — large schools of 3-8 pound fish move through the Sound, and they bite aggressively. Pink salmon are excellent for beginners and families because of the consistent action.
Halibut season is still open in most areas. Lingcod season is closed.
Dungeness crab pots can be set in Puget Sound during summer months, and many charter boats will drop pots at the start of the trip and pull them at the end. Fresh Dungeness crab after a day of salmon fishing is a Pacific Northwest experience that is hard to beat.
Booking tip: July is prime time. Book at least 2-3 months in advance for weekends. Weekday trips are easier to get and often less crowded on the water.
August: The Main Event
August is the single best month for fishing out of Seattle. Everything is happening at once.
Chinook salmon fishing peaks. The largest runs are moving through the Sound, and this is when trophy fish are most likely. The Chinook fishing in the San Juan Islands during August is world-class.
Coho salmon begin showing up in late August. Early coho are bright, aggressive, and acrobatic — they fight harder pound-for-pound than any other Pacific salmon.
Pink salmon are in full swing during odd years. The Edmonds and Mukilteo waterfront areas become pink salmon hotspots, with fish catchable from both boats and shore.
Halibut, rockfish, and crab are all still available, making combo trips extremely productive.
Booking tip: August is the single hardest month to book a Seattle charter. Plan 3+ months ahead. If your dates are flexible, midweek is your best bet. Browse Seattle charter availability on Hooks.ly.
September: Coho Peak and the Fall Transition
September is arguably the best value month for Seattle salmon fishing. The Chinook runs are winding down, but coho fishing peaks and the crowds start to thin.
Coho salmon are the main attraction. Returning silvers stage near river mouths throughout the Sound before heading upstream to spawn. Trolling near the mouths of the Snohomish, Stillaguamish, and Skagit rivers produces excellent catches. Coho are willing biters, strong fighters, and fantastic table fare.
Chinook salmon are still available in the first half of September, though in declining numbers.
Halibut season may still be open in some areas, depending on quota allocation.
Booking tip: September is an excellent time to book if you missed the August rush. The fishing is still outstanding, prices may be slightly lower, and the fall colors on the Sound are beautiful. Book 4-6 weeks ahead.
October: Chum Salmon and Lingcod Reopen
October marks the transition to fall fisheries. The salmon focus shifts from marine to freshwater as chum salmon arrive and lingcod season reopens.
Chum salmon return to Puget Sound rivers from October through December. They are the least-targeted Pacific salmon, but they fight hard (8-15 pounds) and provide exciting fishing, especially on fly rods. Popular chum rivers near Seattle include the Nisqually, Chehalis, and Kennedy Creek.
Lingcod season reopens in mid-October. After being closed through the summer, the rockpiles and reefs are loaded with lingcod that have been growing and eating all year. Early season lingcod fishing is often the best of the year.
Coho are still around in the first half of October, both in the Sound and in rivers.
Booking tip: October is an underrated month for fishing in Seattle. A combo lingcod-and-coho trip in mid-October is one of the best values on the calendar.
November and December: Lingcod, Crab, and Blackmouth
The calendar winds down but does not stop. November and December offer:
Lingcod remain the primary saltwater target. The fishing stays good through the winter as long as the weather cooperates.
Blackmouth Chinook start to become the focus again as resident kings stack up in their winter haunts. December blackmouth fishing in central Puget Sound can be surprisingly good.
Dungeness crab season reopens, and winter crabbing in the Sound is productive. Some charters offer combo fishing-and-crabbing trips that are perfect for the holiday season.
Chum salmon continue to run in rivers through November and into early December.
Booking tip: Winter charters are flexible and affordable. It is a great time to try fishing without the crowds or the high-season price tag. Find winter charter options on Hooks.ly.
When to Book for the Best Availability
Here is a practical summary of how far ahead you should book, based on the time of year:
| Month(s) | How Far Ahead to Book | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| January - April | 1-2 weeks | Low |
| May - June | 4-8 weeks | Medium-High |
| July | 8-12 weeks | High |
| August | 12+ weeks | Very High |
| September | 4-6 weeks | Medium |
| October - December | 1-4 weeks | Low-Medium |
Pro tip: Weekday trips are almost always easier to book and less crowded on the water. If you have schedule flexibility, Tuesday through Thursday are the sweet spot.
How to Choose the Right Time for You
Still not sure when to visit? Here is a simple decision tree:
- Want to catch a big Chinook? Book July or August.
- First-time charter, want lots of action? Book September for coho, or July-August of an odd year for pinks.
- Want a multi-species combo trip? Book August (salmon + halibut + crab).
- On a budget or hate crowds? Book October-November (lingcod + late coho + crab).
- Want halibut? Book May or June.
No matter when you visit, Seattle has something fishing to offer. The key is matching your target species to the right season — and booking early enough to get the dates you want.
Browse Seattle fishing guides and charters on Hooks.ly to check availability and start planning.