Guide to Fishing Near Seattle

If you’re looking to catch fish in Puget Sound, the Des Moines Marina is a popular destination, with a long pier, parking lot, restrooms, and easy access to a beautiful park and restaurants when you’re ready for a break. You can also go shore fishing at Redondo Beach and Saltwater State Park. Find more fishing piers in the area here.

For freshwater fishing, you can't do better than Angle Lake, a tranquil lake accessible from a well-maintained park in SeaTac. Many people also enjoy fishing along the Green River, which runs from the Cascade Mountains through Kent, Auburn, and Tukwila before becoming the Duwamish River.

Before diving into each of these regions, first a note on the region’s favorite fish: salmon!

Many kinds of salmon can be caught in both Puget Sound and local rivers, but there are strict regulations to protect their populations. Each year, the WDFW releases new rules, which are specific to the species of salmon, location, and dates. Regulations are divided by marine area, and Seattle Southside’s beaches lie within Marine Area 11, which spans the north tip of Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. This area is popular for catching residential and migratory salmon and certain bottomfish species.

Beyond salmon, the Sound offers a variety of fishing opportunities throughout the year. Anglers can target lingcod during the spring season (May–June). Halibut are less common but occasionally caught during brief, regulated openings. Forage fish, such as sardines, smelt, and anchovies, can be caught year-round. Rockfish species are protected in this area and closed year-round for fishing for, retaining, or possessing. Locals also love catching Dungeness crab off the shore. You can drop a crab pot at the Des Moines Marina pier to passively catch crabs while you fish.

The Green River, which becomes the Duwamish River in the last stretch before flowing into Puget Sound, offers diverse fishing opportunities. Anglers can target several species of salmon, as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout. Notable fishing spots in Tukwila include Fort Dent Park, Codiga Park, and North Wind's Weir.

It’s important to note that if you’re fishing the Lower Duwamish River, Washington State Department of Health advises against eating resident fish like carp, bass, or perch from that stretch. Migratory salmon caught during the right seasons are generally considered safe to eat, but it's important to check current fish consumption advisories for guidelines. Sections of the Green River are open for certain salmon species in late summer or fall. Check the WDFW regulation pamphlet for details.

Angle Lake Park in SeaTac is a perfect place for relaxed, relatively easy fishing, making it a popular choice for beginners and families. The urban lake is encircled by tree-lined residential neighborhoods and boasts a view of Mt. Rainier on clear days. Motorized boating is allowed, but it’s also easy to fish from the shore or pier. The best part about fishing in this lake: you’ll never run out of things to catch! Every April, WDFW drops thousands of rainbow trout into the lake for recreational angling, adding to the population of native fish that are already present.

Rainbow trout are known for being relatively easy to catch and great to eat. Named for the reddish stripe that often appears along its sides, this fish averages about a foot to 1.5 feet in length. The best time to get to Angle Lake for trout fishing is in the spring after they’re released into the water. But if you don’t make it until later in the year, don’t worry–-you haven’t missed the boat (pun intended). While the trout often descend into the deeper, cooler parts of the lake during the summer, it’s still possible to catch them. As the water cools back down by fall, many trout start swimming into shallower waters again.

Yellow perch make for “good, easy summertime fishing,” says Yuasa. “They’re also a very tasty white meat fish.” These golden-yellow creatures are less than a foot long and a good choice for novice fishers. You can catch them at any time of year, but you’ll have the best chance in summer, especially if you’re angling from the shore. By fall, they tend to move offshore. If you’re determined to fish for them in winter, you’ll need a boat to target schools of fish.

Kokanee are a type of sockeye salmon that don’t migrate to the ocean. You can catch these silvery fish from April to October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in various rivers. As with rainbow trout, the best window is in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures. However, you can find them throughout the summer by boating in deeper waters. Prospects are slightly higher in the fall as they return to shallower waters. Find more tips on catching kokanee here.

Several large stores sell outdoor gear in Tukwila, including Dick's Sporting Goods, which also offers services such as line winding, live bait, rod tip replacement and licenses. At REI, you can find high-quality shoes, hats, and clothing for fishing. ABC Grocery, a convenience store in downtown Des Moines, is a local go-to for fishing and tackle gear, including hooks and live bait.

To fish in Washington, you must have an annual freshwater or combination fishing license. Purchase a license online; by telephone at 1-866-246-9453; or at one of many license dealers across the state.

In Washington State, fishing regulations change yearly and are specific to your location. These rules help maintain fish populations and protect critical species like salmon. Before planning your trip, check out the annual sportfishing pamphlet. You can also check the Fish Washington® mobile app, a free, ad-free app that gives you up-to-the-minute updates on fishing rules for every body of water in the state. You’ll find interactive maps to help you find fish near you, details on harvest limits and allowable gear, and many other features.

Tips on salmon fishing in Puget Sound and freshwater, including the basic methods and gear you’ll need.

Washington fishing regulations, including links to annual sport fishing rules and information on fishing licenses.
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Facebook groups such as Puget Sound Fishing can be a great source for local insights.