Pink Salmon are the most accessible salmon for shore bound angers to target in Puget Sound. There are several well known locations which are pink salmon hot spots. This post will map them out for you.
As with any fishing location advice this is best used as a starting place for your own exploration. There are many hidden gems known only to locals, or accessible only via private property. Explore, make friends and use your network to discover and gain access to those other locations.
For tips, tricks and techniques on how to catch the various species check out these resources:
Here is the map of the various locations. All of them are publicly accessible.
Given the scale of this map there is a lot of detail missing for each individual site. However many of these locations are parks and have a web page from the organization which owns the park. To get more information to plan your visit, I suggest:
- Use your favorite map web site to get a detailed road and birds eye views
- Search online for pages dedicated to these locations
These locations aren’t just for shore bound anglers. Power boaters can launch elsewhere and travel to these locations. Several of these locations are also suitable for hand launching small water craft like kayaks.
If fishing from a boat in these locations please exercise both courtesy and judgment. It is best to move down the coast a bit to locations where the shore anglers are not. If not, then at least stay far enough from shore to be significantly out of casting range of the shore anglers. When the pinks are in they take up a wide enough area that there is plenty of room for all.
When fishing these locations it is pretty easy to tell if the fish are there, as the pinks will jump often. If you aren’t seeing fish jump, or people around you catching, then it might be best to move onto a plan B – which could be to move elsewhere or come back in a while.
The current caused by the tide change can have a big impact on how fishable an area is. I’ve had the best luck during the slack tide and slower moving tide changes.
In some locations, especially with a big tide change, the current is quite strong. In those circumstances it is hard to fish effectively and a great time to take a break or travel to a different location.
The best way to fish from the beach is to cast and retrieve a jig or buzzbomb.
Other techniques and tips on pink salmon fishing can be found here.
Tight lines and good luck!
Is there any salmon fishing in the north end of Lake Washington near Kenmore?
What about Carkeek Park shore fishing, anything in August?
There is a coho run through Lake Washington, headed to the hatchery in Issaquah, which is open for sport fishing. However given the water temps they usually stay in water about 60 feet deep, so well out of casting range from shore locations. If you can get out in a boat, then focus your efforts in front of the Kirkland marina down to Hunts point.
They do get closer to shore when they push through the slough to Lake Sammamish, but that area is closed to salmon fishing.
I don’t know anything specific about Carkeek Park, but further north I know they catch pink salmon (odd years) and coho from shore. So it is likely you could do the same at Carkeek. Pinks would be August, and coho more September. Also check out the beach at Possession Bait company on Whidbey island.
First time salmon fishing,looking for a location Puget sound,lake Washington,where ever would be helpful in this area.