Washington, Oregon and the rest of the Pacific Northest has a huge variety of species to fish for. Saltwater areas abound with a variety of fishing options. Lakes and rivers offer a completely different experience. And some species can be found in both freshwater and saltwater for parts of their lives. To learn more about where to find the fish of the Pacific Northwest and how to catch them, follow the links below for more great information.
Salmon – The five species of Salmon are the prime catch across the Pacific Coast, from the Ocean to the many Sounds, Bays and Passages where they congregate and feed. Chinook, Coho, Pink, Chum and Sockeye Salmon all return to the Pacific Northwest rivers of their choosing. However, they spend most of their lives in the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound, where they provide us anglers quite a wide array of fishing options.
Salmon Fishing
Steelhead – As the rivers filter out of the snow packed mountain ranges, their currents build and give us the perfect setting to hunt for a true West Coast treasure, the Steelhead. They spend years out in the far reaches of the North Pacific, but when they return to their natal rivers, they give us months of great fishing opportunity.
Steelhead Fishing
Trout -We are blessed with trout fishing opportunities in almost every body of water here in the Northwest. Fly fishing the beaches of Puget Sound for Sea-Run Cutthroat, harvesting trout in our lowland lakes, and hiking up into the true wilderness of our Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges to wet a line in the countless alpine lakes.
Bass – Lowland lakes warm up during the spring months and offer a great options for catching Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in every local lake and pond. Warmwater species have been a mainstay for Pacific Northwest lake fishers, and add to the variety of fishing options we enjoy.
Albacore Tuna – Far off the Washington Coast is a world much different to our inshore. Pelagic species feed just close enough to our ports to keep things interesting. They circle half the globe during the course of their annual migration, and swing into the Pacific Northwest for about 3 to 4 months. Albacore Tuna fishing is the ultimate extreme sport.
Halibut – The search for the largest fish in the Pacific begins! Halibut are a popular catch from California to Alaska. Whether you catch a chicken Halibut up to a Barn Door Halibut, you are up for a great experience and ready for a great meal!
Halibut Fishing
Lingcod – They are the most voracious of the bottomfish species. They aggressively feed, are fun to catch, and their fillets are great table fare. Once you get familiar with this king of the reef, I’m sure that the Lingcod will become one of your favorite targets, as it is mine.
Lingcod Fishing
Rockfish – There is an abundance Rockfish species in the Pacific. Generous limits of Rockfish give us a fun time when fishing for them, and their fillets’ flaky white meat make targeting them well worth the effort.
Flounder – For an easy and fun fish to catch, the Flounder holds the title! These hungry marine fish are found in great abundance throughout the state, and are a great option from boat or shore.
Dungeness Crab – Nothing tastes more like the Pacific Northwest like fresh caught Dungeness Crab! They truly help define our local cuisine and we love soaking pots with the hope of a fresh crab dinner.
Dungeness Crabbing
Razor Clams – When the weather outside is frightful… Washingtonians drive out to the beaches by the tens of thousands for easy diggin’. Fried, frittered or chowdered, these are the most delicious clams around!
Spot Shrimp are one of our most desired seafoods. These jumbo prawns can only be caught by soaking heavy pots in the depths of our marine passageways and offshore banks.
Spot Shrimping
