The Pacific Northwest is known for its exceptional salmon fishing. In Washington state, salmon can be found in many of the rivers and lakes and off the shores of the Pacific as well. Over the years, Washington has regulated salmon fishing in order to maintain the crop of salmon for fishermen to enjoy for years to come.
Where to Fish
Salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they migrate to salt water after their birth and then return to the freshwater rivers to spawn.The area around the Puget Sound in Washington is a place to find salmon in both saltwater and freshwater. From Sekiu and Neah Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the Skagit River to the north of the Sound, even beginner fishermen can enjoy fishing for salmon. In addition, the Columbia River, on the Washington-Oregon border is also known to produce worthwhile salmon fishing.
The Catch
Because of its anadromous nature, salmon can be found in both fresh and saltwater depending on the time of year, The five species of Pacific salmon are: chinook, coho, pink, chum and sockeye. Each fish has a different appearance, from the humpbacked pink salmon to the sockeye salmon that turns bright red when it spawns. The chinook salmon is also known as king salmon because it is a good deal larger in size than the other species.
Methods
Fishing for salmon in the deeper saltwater areas requires a boat. Trolling is the most popular method, which is fishing while the boat is continuously moving. This method requires a downriggers or weights to maintain the depth of the bait while the boat is moving. Common tackle for this method is a cut plug herring, salmon spinner or salmon plug. Trolling can also be done in freshwater rivers and lakes but is not always necessary because of the adequacy of drifting methods like fly fishing or simply fishing from the shores or a dock.
Licensing
Anglers over the age of 15 must purchase a Washington state fishing license before their fishing trip. Residents can purchase a yearly license for only $24 for freshwater and $22.20 for saltwater. For nonresidents, purchasing options are available for single-day licenses all the way up to yearly licenses. Yearly licenses for nonresidents cost $48, while a single-day license costs $15.82 and a five-day license rings in at $37.64.
Regulations
Statewide regulations are in place to protect the numbers of salmon. Daily limits are imposed on all species of salmon in addition to rules regarding specific fishing areas. A Catch Records Card is also required for salmon fishermen. This card is used to document that kept salmon and must be filled out each day and then returned to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
References
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Recreational Salmon Fishing Species Information
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: When and Where to Fish for Salmon
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Pacific Salmon ID
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: How to Catch Salmon
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Fishing in Washington
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