SPORTFISH OF WASHINGTON

Few states offer the variety and quality of fishing that Washington does. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lists state record catches for more than 50 freshwater species, and almost as many in saltwater. Here are some of the fish species anglers can pursue in the Evergreen State.

Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are Washington's most popular game fish. Native to the western U.S., they are widely distributed throughout our state. Like other trout, they need clean, cool water to survive. Rainbows can usually be recognized by the red or pink stripe down both sides from the gill covers to the tail, but the coloration sometimes varies. Two subspecies of rainbow are native to Washington: coastal rainbow trout and redband trout. Both rainbow subspecies have resident and anadromous (steelhead) forms. In general, coastal rainbows are found west of the Cascade mountains, redbands east of the Cascades. Their ranges may overlap, however. In addition, the trout most commonly raised in hatcheries and planted in lowland lakes are a mixture of stocks and subspecies that has been developed over decades of selective breeding. Steelhead are described later in this section.  Because of the rainbow's popularity among anglers, natural populations are supplemented by WDFW stocking programs that provide millions of trout annually to the state's lakes and streams.  The natural diet of rainbows consists primarily of plankton, insects, other invertebrates, and smaller fish, but anglers can take them on a wide range of baits and artificial lures. Favorite baits in Washington lakes include worms, salmon eggs, marshmallows, cheese, artificial paste baits, and natural insects. Artificial lures such as wobbling spoons, spinners, and small diving plugs work well for rainbows. Fly anglers have good luck on dry and wet flies, nymphs, and streamer patterns.

Beardslee Trout
A unique population of rainbow trout called the Beardslee trout deserves special mention, since it's found only one place in the world: the Olympic Peninsula's Lake Crescent. Beardslees can grow to impressive proportions, often topping 10 pounds. They are usually caught by anglers deep-trolling large spoons or plugs. The National Park Service establishes regulations and seasons for Lake Crescent and other Olympic National Park waters. Because of concern for these unique fish, angling seasons are currently short, with catch-and-release only fishing.

Cutthroat Trout
Three subspecies of cutthroat trout are available to Washington anglers. The one most common west of the Cascades is the coastal cutthroat, which includes both resident and anadromous—or sea-run—populations. Resident coastal cutthroat are found in many streams and beaver ponds throughout western Washington. In some of these small waters they may grow no larger than eight or nine inches long.  Sea-run cutthroat spawn in many coastal, Puget Sound and lower Columbia River tributary streams. While still thriving in some coastal river systems, many cutthroat populations have declined due to stream pollution and loss of small-stream habitat. Wild cutthroat release regulations and bait fishing restrictions are now in effect on many Washington streams, so anglers should read the fishing regulations pamphlet carefully before pursuing these eager biters. To catch coastal cutthroat, try a small spoon, spinner or streamer fly. Whatever you use, try casting it near brush, roots, stumps and other woody cover.  West-slope cutthroat are more common in eastern Washington lakes and streams. WDFW also stocks these trout in many high-country lakes. They can be caught on all standard trout lures and baits, but since their diet consists mostly of insects, fly-fishing is especially effective. Some bodies of water have special barbless hook and bait/lure regulations, so be sure to check the current fishing regulations pamphlet.  Lahontan cutthroat are relative newcomers to our state, where they have been stocked in only a few highly alkaline, eastside lakes. They thrive in Grant County's Lake Lenore, Douglas County’s Grimes Lake, and Okanogan County's Omak Lake, plus a few other lakes. Artificial flies, spoons, spinners and wobbling plugs all work well for these big cutthroats that have adapted to desert lakes.

Brown Trout
Brown trout are not North American natives, having been imported from Europe. Kettle River, Crab Creek and a few other eastern Washington waters have somewhat self-sustaining populations of browns. They are also stocked by WDFW in a number of lakes on both sides of the state. Browns are more tolerant of warm summer temperatures than our native trout. They can also be harder to catch. Larger brown trout feed extensively on other fish.

Golden Trout
Golden trout are another introduced species, found only in a few remote, high-country lakes, where the water is cold and clear. These brilliantly colored trout, native to the high Sierras, feed on plankton and small insects, but are caught on a wide range of artificial flies and lures.

Tiger Trout
Washington’s newest and most exotic freshwater sport fish is the tiger trout, a hatchery-produced cross between brown trout and Eastern brook trout. So named because of the tiger-like stripes on their back (a little imagination is needed here), these sterile hybrids are stocked in a few lakes where endangered species concerns preclude planting fertile species. Most tiger trout activity so far has been in Okanogan and Grant counties, but fisheries managers are considering this fish for a few other locations.

Dolly Varden/Bull Trout
Though generally called trout, these fish are actually char, more closely related to brook trout and lake trout. Dolly Varden are native to this state and are fairly common in many rivers and some lakes west of the Cascades. WDFW, however, is concerned about the state's Dolly Varden populations, and they are protected now in many areas by a closed season. Bull trout, once thought to be the same species as Dolly Varden, are now considered a distinct species. Like Dollies, though, our bull trout populations have declined, and fishing for them is restricted.

Eastern Brook Trout
The brook trout, another char, is also an introduced species. They are found mostly in the northeastern and north-central parts of the state, and along the slopes of the Cascades. Brookies are easily identified by worm shaped markings called vermiculations along their back and upper sides.  Brook trout grow rapidly when conditions are right, reaching six or seven inches in a year and sometimes growing to five pounds. They are also subject to stunting from overpopulation in some lakes. Insect larvae and nymphs make up a large part of their diet, so they are a logical favorite of fly fishers.

Lake Trout
The lake trout is yet another char, and another nonnative species that has done well in a few Washington lakes, such as Loon, Deer, Cle Elum, Chelan, Bead and Bonaparte. A population of lake trout in St. Helens Lake, just above Spirit Lake, managed to survive the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Known by the name “mackinaw” throughout much of the West, lakers are our largest purely freshwater salmonid, sometimes topping 60 pounds (but not in Washington).  Lake trout are cold-water fish. They can be caught on large plugs or spoons trolled near the surface early in the spring, but as the water warms you'll have to use a downrigger or try vertical jigging with a large leadhead or metal jig.

Kokanee
Kokanee are sometimes incorrectly called "silvers" or "silver trout," but in fact are not trout at all. They are sockeye salmon that do not go out to sea, but live out their lives in freshwater lakes. Like all Pacific salmon, they die at sexual maturity regardless of their size. And like all sockeye salmon, kokanee are one of the best eating fish that swims. Although they feed on plankton, kokanee can be caught on such small baits as maggots, white corn kernels, or small pieces of worm. These baits are either still-fished on a painted hook, or trolled behind a beaded spinner or small flasher.

Whitefish
Washington has three species of whitefish, but only two species are commonly fished for. Native to Washington, mountain whitefish are closely related to our trout and salmon. They are common in both eastside and westside streams. Averaging 10 to 13 inches, mountain whitefish are most easily caught on maggots, small grubs, and stonefly nymphs or sparsely tied artificial flies and small lures fished along the bottom of deep pools in winter. A number of streams have special winter “whitefish-only” seasons. Please also read the section FISH CONSUMPTION (HEALTH) ADVISORIES for information on a Yakima River whitefish consumption advisory. Lake whitefish, on the other hand, are an introduced species. They are generally larger with a bigger mouth than mountain whitefish. Originally introduced in a few Western Washington lakes, they are now distributed throughout the Columbia Basin irrigation system, including Roosevelt, Banks, Moses and Soda lakes and Potholes and Scooteney reservoirs.

Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are one of America's most popular game fish, and that popularity certainly extends to the state of Washington, where they were introduced in the late 1800s. This warmwater fish does not achieve huge size here, where the growing season is relatively short. Still, Washington anglers do catch their share of bragging-size largemouths. Washington boasts many productive largemouth bass waters, including Cowlitz County's Silver Lake, the Pend Oreille River, and Spokane County's Eloika Lake, just to name a few. Largemouths are particularly fond of lily pads, weed beds, submerged stumps, logs, and other fairly thick cover, and these are good places for anglers to look for them. They are caught on a wide range of lures, including diving plugs, spinnerbaits, plastic baits and surface lures. A bass “slot limit” that is in effect throughout the state (with a few exceptions) is designed to protect bass of the most effective spawning size, generally 12 to 17 inches. This rule allows harvest of bass both below and above the “slot” size.  Please also read the section FISH CONSUMPTION (HEALTH) ADVISORIES for information about a statewide bass consumption advisory.

Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass, another introduced species, usually run smaller than largemouths. That's not necessarily true in Washington, though, which produces some of the West's biggest smallmouths. Smallmouth are especially fond of rocky and gravelly areas, where they feed on crayfish, insects and smaller fish. Try fishing with plastic grubs, tubes or worms on leadhead jigs, diving plugs, or spinners with fur or feather tails. The Snake River, Lake Whatcom, Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington, Potholes Reservoir, much of the Columbia River, Banks Lake and the Okanogan River all are good smallmouth waters. In early spring, the Yakima River between Richland and Benton City is a top choice for trophy smallmouth. Where they are in effect, bass slot limits apply to smallmouth too.  Please also read the section FISH CONSUMPTION (HEALTH) ADVISORIES for information about a statewide bass consumption advisory.

Walleye
If any game fish species has taken the state—and the country—by storm, it has to be the walleye. Introduced to our state in the 1950s, one of the country's best trophy walleye fisheries has developed in the Columbia River system. Although sometimes erroneously called “walleyed pike,” they are actually big cousins to the yellow perch.  Productive fishing methods for walleye include trolling with spinner-and-nightcrawler rigs or plugs that imitate small baitfish. Casting small jigs with plastic grub bodies can also be effective. They like to feed over submerged weed beds and around rocky structure.  Many sections of the main Columbia, Banks Lake, Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir and Sprague Lake are favorites of Washington walleye anglers. Check the regulations pamphlet for walleye regulations that vary between the mid and lower Columbia River (below Priest Rapids Dam), Roosevelt Lake and its tributaries, and the remainder of the state.  Please also read the section FISH CONSUMPTION (HEALTH) ADVISORIES for information about a Lake Roosevelt walleye consumption advisory.

Crappie
Crappies are one of the prettiest and tastiest of all warmwater fish. Although WDFW lists state records for both white and black crappie, black crappie are far more common. Both are introduced species. The best places to look for crappies are around submerged trees, stumps and brush, since they seem to love woody cover. If woody cover is not available, fish around lily pads or other aquatic vegetation. Crappies are often found in schools in the spring, but usually scatter and move to deeper water in summer.  Small leadhead jigs or artificial flies work well for these popular panfish, since small fish are a large part of the mature crappie's diet.

Yellow Perch
Yellow perch, introduced in the 1890s, are abundant throughout Washington, and they have saved many an otherwise unsuccessful fishing trip. They are very good table fare either filleted or cleaned and skinned. Many of Washington's year-round lakes and reservoirs are teeming with perch, providing good fishing 12 months a year. All you really need to catch them is a can of worms or grubs, although they will strike small jigs, spinners and other artificial lures as well. Please also read the section FISH CONSUMPTION (HEALTH) ADVISORIES for information about Lake Whatcom and Lake Washington perch consumption advisories.

Other Panfish
One of Washington's most popular introduced sunfish is the bluegill, a hard-fighting, good-eating game fish. They are found in many lowland lakes on both sides of the state. Pumpkinseed sunfish are a little small to eat, but fun to catch, especially for kids. This illegally-stocked fish is too abundant in many lakes. They will take almost anything small enough to fit in their tiny mouths. Rock bass, also a non-native sunfish, are identified by their mottled dark bronze body and red eyes. They are most common in several Thurston and southern Pierce County lakes, and average seven to 10 inches.  A similar species, the warmouth, is found in a few western Washington lakes. Both rock bass and warmouth are fun to catch and good to eat, although not as prized as crappie or bluegill. Note: the statewide slot limit on bass does not apply to rock bass.

Catfish
The introduced channel catfish is a hard-fighting and good-eating game fish that requires clean water to survive. Washington's best channel cat fishing is in the Yakima and Snake rivers, and the top baits are worms and chicken or beef livers. Unlike other catfish, this fish also readily takes artificial lures. A far more common catfish species is the brown bullhead. Although they are considered pests in some lakes, they provide a lot of fun and good eating.  Other non-native catfish that anglers may encounter include yellow and black bullheads, and rarely blue and flathead catfish. All are good eating and will take worms and other baits. Best fishing for all of them is usually at night.

Tiger Muskie
A relatively recent addition to Washington’s freshwater sport fishery is the tiger muskie, a northern pike-muskellunge cross first introduced in Mayfield Lake to help curb a serious rough-fish problem and provide a trophy fishery. The success of the Mayfield program led to the planting of tiger muskies in Clark County’s Merwin Reservoir, Ferry County’s Curlew Lake, Grant County’s Evergreen Reservoir and Red Rock Lake, King County’s Green Lake, Pierce County’s Tapps Lake, Spokane County's Newman Lake, and Whatcom County’s Fazon Lake (to date).  Tiger muskies are big, hungry predators that may grow to 30 pounds or more. The best way to catch them is with large plugs or bucktail spinners fished during the warm summer months.

Burbot
Perhaps Washington's most peculiar freshwater fish is the burbot, commonly called freshwater ling. Found in several central and eastern Washington lakes, they're usually caught through the ice on large baits such as a gob of night crawlers or a strip of sucker meat. Burbot populations are down in some waters, with more restrictive rules implemented to help them recover.

Sturgeon
Sturgeon are the largest freshwater species Washington anglers are likely to encounter. This prehistoric fish is available in the Columbia and other large Northwest streams year-round. Both green and white sturgeon are caught by Washington anglers, but whites are the most common and certainly the largest, sometimes measuring over eight feet and weighing several hundred pounds. Sturgeon feed on the bottom, cruising along and picking up tasty morsels with their sucker-like mouth. Anglers usually fish for them with smelt, shrimp and other baits anchored on bottom. Hooked sturgeon, especially the larger ones, may jump completely out of the water, providing a spectacular show for anglers or anyone who happens by at the right time.  The popularity of sturgeon fishing has drawn large numbers of anglers to the Columbia and Chehalis rivers in recent years, and more restrictive regulations have gone into effect to help protect this valuableresource from over-fishing.

Halibut
The heavyweight champ of Northwest saltwater fish is the Pacific halibut, which may grow to 400 pounds or more. Halibut populations boomed in the early 1980s, and the fish's popularity also soared, to the point that halibut fishing has become extremely popular in Washington and throughout the Northwest.  Halibut like to feed on and around underwater mountains and plateaus. The state's most well-known halibut grounds are at Swiftsure Reef, located on the Canadian border near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, about 20 miles north of Neah Bay. Other productive halibut-fishing areas are located off the northern Washington coast, around Neah Bay and Sekiu, Port Angeles and on several underwater humps near the east end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Best fishing in these areas is during the spring.  Halibut will take herring, squid and other baits, but deep-water anglers often prefer to bounce heavy leadhead jigs with large, plastic grub bodies, pipe jigs, or baitfish-imitating metal jigs along the bottom for their “barn doors.”

Other Flatfish
Starry flounders are found in many of Washington's marine areas, and are most commonly caught from shallow-water estuaries such as Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and some of Puget Sound's larger river mouths. They occasionally stray into fresh water, and small ones have been caught up the Columbia River as far as Bonneville Dam. They're good-eating and not too choosey about the baits or lures they'll take. Washington also has a wide range of other flatfish, including arrowtooth flounder, sand sole, English sole, petrale sole and Pacific sanddab.

Skates and Sharks
The big skate might be considered a sort of halibut look-alike, although it's much more closely related to sharks than to halibut. Sometimes growing to well over 100 pounds, their "wings" are highly prized table fare. Blue sharks grow to fairly large size in Washington and are pursued by some anglers, mostly along the coast. They're fair fighters and provide fair eating. Spiny Dogfish (often called just “dogfish”) sharks are commonly caught by Washington anglers when salmon

fishing with bait near the bottom. Their fight is not spectacular, and although they are popular as a food species in Europe, they are not often eaten here.

Lingcod
Lingcod are as prized by Washington saltwater anglers as they are feared by smaller fish. Everything from herring, anchovies and crabs to other lingcod are considered fair game when a big ling gets hungry.  Playing on its hearty appetite, anglers often use live bait to catch a big ling, but leadhead jigs, metal jigs and other artificials also will fool them.  The best lingcod habitat is a hard, rocky bottom with lots of steep drops and jagged pinnacles. These areas are easy to find with a chart and depth sounder, but difficult to fish effectively without losing tackle. Lingcod are slow-growing fish, and the largest ones—sometimes over 60 pounds—are all females. To protect lingcod populations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, seasons and regulations are quite conservative.

Rockfish
Yelloweye are one of the biggest and most colorful of Washington's many rockfish species. Yelloweye often weigh over 10 pounds, and sometimes top the 20-pound mark. They can live to be several decades old. Because they are slow maturing, Yelloweye populations are fragile; they are currently protected throughout the state. This species is now protected and not considered for retention or targeting when fishing in saltwater.  See current Washington Fishing Regulations for more information regarding this species

Canary rockfish are another brightly colored inhabitant of Washington's deep-water marine areas. Although not as large as Yelloweye, they are caught in many of the same places and by the same fishing methods. Like Yelloweye, canaries are now protected in all Washington marine areas. Although commonly lumped together under the label of "bottom fish," many rockfish species may be found well off the bottom, sometimes even right on the surface. This species is now protected and not considered for retention or targeting when fishing in saltwater.  See current Washington Fishing Regulations for more information regarding this species

Black rockfish are a good example. They are one of our most common and most popular rockfish, providing fast action for coastal charter anglers as well as small-boat fishermen in places like Neah Bay and Sekiu. Averaging a couple of pounds each, black rockfish are excellent light-tackle fighters. They can be found at virtually any depth, but many anglers search for schools that are feeding in shallow-water kelp beds or near the surface in open water. When near the surface, they'll take anything from herring and small jigs to streamer flies and surface plugs.

Blue rockfish closely resemble blacks, and the two are often caught together. Blues tend to run a little smaller, and they have smaller mouths. 

Copper rockfish are common in Washington waters, especially near shore and around shallow-water rock piles and other hard structure. Most are small, but they're cooperative and fun to catch on light tackle.  Many other rockfish species are available to Evergreen State saltwater anglers.

Tiger rockfish are perhaps the most brightly colored example. The Bocaccio is one of the bigger rockfish, commonly topping 20 pounds, and is usually caught from fairly deep water.

China rockfish can be identified by their yellow-on-black coloration.

Cabezon
Cabezon are Washington's largest member of the sculpin family, sometimes growing to over 20 pounds. They can be tough fighters, especially when hooked in fairly shallow water or on light tackle. Cabezon feed primarily on marine crustaceans, using their powerful jaws to capture and crush their prey. Small fish, however, are also included in their diet, so herring and baitfish-imitating metal jigs bounced along the bottom will take them too.  Although the large head, fins and heavy bones are not

edible, Cabezon provide a pair of thick, tasty, white meat fillets for seafood gourmets. Cabezon eggs are poisonous, so be very careful when cleaning them.  Because of concerns about the long-term health of the species, Cabezon seasons are very restrictive east of Sekiu River.

Other Sculpins
Other sculpins are of moderate interest to Washington saltwater anglers, including the red Irish lord, great sculpin, staghorn sculpin and buffalo sculpin.

Other Bottomfish
Kelp greenling are smaller relatives of lingcod, common throughout Washington's marine waters. Kelp beds and shallow, rocky areas are the best places to look for them, and they are easily caught on small baits and jigs. Greenling are among the fish commonly used for live lingcod bait, but they're very good table fare in their own right, providing firm, white-meated fillets. 

Pacific cod is a true codfish, which explains its most common nickname, "true cod." Cod fillets are excellent on the dinner table, making true cod popular among anglers even though they are not tough fighters.  Baits such as whole or plug-cut herring will take cod, as will pipe jigs and other artificials. Whatever you use, fish it close to the bottom.  Pollock are another good-eating bottomfish that are closely related to Pacific cod, although somewhat smaller. They're often found over the same sand and gravel bottoms where cod are found, and they can be caught with the same baits and lures.

It is important to note that Pacific cod and Pollock populations are in trouble in some areas, and fishing for them is restricted or closed.  Be sure to check the regulations pamphlet for the marine area you are fishing in.

Saltwater Perch
Sea perch and surf perch are widely available in our marine waters. The three most popular are pile perch, striped seaperch and red-tailed surf perch. Casting into the breakers along virtually any coastal beach with clam necks, shrimp, sand worms or other bait will take the red-tailed surf perch, an amazingly strong fighter. Redtails are also a very good-eating fish, which, like other sea perch species, bear live young rather than laying eggs like most fish. Striped sea perch and pile perch are more common in Puget Sound, where they're often caught around docks, floats and piers on an incoming tide. Small pieces of bait often work best for these species.

Albacore Tuna
The albacore tuna is a blue-water inhabitant whose annual summertime migrations often bring it to within reach of Washington's coastal anglers. There it is pursued by charter boats operating out of Westport and Ilwaco. The fishing strategy usually involves trolling surface lures until a school is located, then drifting live anchovies. Albacore are incredibly strong, fast swimmers, and also excellent table fare.

Anadromous Fish
Some fish spend part of their lives in fresh water and part in salt water. Fish that hatch in fresh water, spend part of their lives in salt water, then return to fresh water to spawn are known as "anadromous" species, and Washington has a variety of them.

Steelhead
Sea-going rainbow trout, known as steelhead, are one of our better-known anadromous fish. Steelhead start their lives in freshwater rivers and creeks, migrate to sea, then spend one to six years in the Pacific before returning to their home streams to repeat the cycle. Most steelhead naturally spawn from mid-winter to late-spring, but two different runs—summer and winter—return to freshwater at different times. Adult winter-run steelhead return to over 100 Washington streams from November through April. Some of these streams have wild steelhead runs that provide good fishing and a self-sustaining population. But a loss of clean spawning gravel and suitable rearing habitat, coupled with other problems, has greatly depleted the wild steelhead runs in many river systems. As a result, wild steelhead retention is now allowed in only a few streams, with a very restrictive annual limit. In terms of sport catch, the state's top winter steelhead waters include the Cowlitz, Bogachiel/Quillayute, Skykomish, Snoqualmie and East Fork Lewis rivers. Summer-run steelhead return to freshwater from April to October, and anglers catch these summer fish in good numbers from about three dozen Washington rivers and creeks. Summer steelie streams that treat anglers best include the Columbia below Bonneville, portions of the Snake River, plus the Grande Ronde, Cowlitz, Little White Salmon and Kalama rivers. Most adult steelhead return from the Pacific after two or three growing seasons, ranging from about 5 to 14 pounds. The true trophies are fish that stay at sea four to six years, the 20-, 25-, even 30-pounders that an angler may get a shot at only once in a lifetime. WDFW plants hatchery winter steelhead in some 75 streams to enhance angling opportunity, and about 45 streams receive plants of summer-run steelhead. Many fishing methods take steelhead, but drift-fishing is the most popular. It involves casting upstream and letting the lure sink to the bottom, where it drifts downstream with the current. Standard baits and lures for steelhead drift-fishing include clusters of fresh salmon or steelhead roe, live ghost shrimp, brightly colored steelhead "bobbers" and tufts of fluorescent nylon yarn. Casting wobbling spoons, spinner and artificial flies also produces steelhead strikes, as does drifting a leadhead jig suspended beneath a bobber. Anglers should be aware of special regulations that require wild steelhead to be released on most streams.

Chinook Salmon
Like steelhead, Pacific salmon spend part of their life in fresh water and part in saltwater. Unlike steelhead, though, adult salmon always die after completing their spawning runs.  First and foremost among salmon-fishing trophies is, of course, the Chinook; also known as the King Salmon. Chinook are the largest of the Pacific salmon, occasionally growing to over 100 pounds, which is part of the reason for their nickname, “king salmon.” They are also commonly referred to as “blackmouth,” because of that black gum line that anglers use to help identify them. Although the biggest saltwater kings are caught in summer and early fall when mature salmon move toward freshwater spawning grounds, Washington offers saltwater Chinook fishing all year long. Productive saltwater fishing techniques for Chinook include trolling or mooching (drifting) with herring, jigging with any of several baitfish-imitating metal jigs, or trolling with plugs, spoons, plastic squid or other artificial lures. Fishing near bottom is often the key to success.  Besides the well-known saltwater Chinook fisheries that exist on the coast, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound, Chinook also provide some great freshwater angling action. Spring Chinook fisheries in the mid-Columbia Washington tributaries are very popular with anglers. Freshwater Chinook fishing techniques are similar to those used for steelhead, except most anglers prefer heavier tackle for these bruisers.  Although uncommon, “resident” Chinook may be found in some lake systems that support runs of the anadromous form. Examples are lakes Sammamish and Washington, where resident Chinook 12-15 inches long make up a small percentage of the catch. Inland fish managers are also experimenting with Chinook as predators on stunted perch or other over-abundant species in some lakes. Chinook are also sometimes planted in landlocked lakes to provide a freshwater fishery.

Coho Salmon
Coho salmon are smaller than Chinook, but their relative abundance and unpredictable fighting style make them a favorite among Washington anglers. A typical adult Coho weighs four to 10 pounds, but specimens of over 20 pounds have been caught from Evergreen State waters. Fresh from the ocean, it's easy to understand why the Coho's most common nickname is "silver" salmon. WDFW hatcheries produce millions of Coho each year to supplement wild Coho runs, which have succumbed to a wide range of habitat loss on many of the state's river systems. The same baits, lures and techniques that take Chinook will also take Coho from Washington's marine waters, but remember that these fish are usually found near the surface, in about the top 30 feet of water. Like chinook, Coho are also a favorite of freshwater anglers when the adult salmon return to their home streams to spawn.

Flashy spinners, wobbling spoons, diving plugs and a well-fished cluster of fresh roe will take them when they hit fresh water. Some lakes may be stocked with landlocked Coho salmon. Like kokanee, these fish are sometimes incorrectly called “silver trout.” They grow to 20 inches or so and provide excellent sport and table fare. Excess (more than required for egg-taking) hatchery adult Coho are being planted into several western Washington freshwater lakes to provide additional fishing opportunity. This new program has been very popular, and will be continued for this year. In several lakes the closure date has been extended through November 30 to allow more opportunity for harvest of these fish. See individual county listings.

Pink Salmon
Pink salmon are a common catch for Washington anglers during odd-numbered years. With a two-year life cycle, shorter than the other salmon, they don't get as big, averaging three or four pounds at maturity and seldom topping the 10-pound mark. Pink salmon are commonly called “humpies” because of the large hump on the back of mature males. Both males and females can be identified by the large, oblong or oval spots on both the upper and lower portion of their tail and by their very small scales.  Trolling with herring or any of the standard salmon offerings will take pinks from salt water, but hot colors tend to work best. The same general rule seems to apply when fishing for pinks in fresh water.

Chum Salmon
The chum salmon's nickname “dog salmon” due to its large lower and upper teeth that develop as the fish begins the final stages of its lifecycle.  It's a tough customer for both salt and freshwater anglers. Chum are the second-largest of the Pacific salmon, and Washington anglers catch many of them in the high-teens and low-20-pound range. They are the last of the salmon to return each fall, usually arriving at their stream of origin from November to January.

Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye are considered by many to be the best-eating of all salmon, but anglers catch relatively few of them on hook-and-line. The state's most notable sport fishery for sockeyes occurs in Lake Wenatchee and some years in Lake Washington. A fishery on Fraser River stocks is growing in the San Juan Islands.

Shad
American shad are a large member of the herring family. Their life cycle is like Pacific salmon in that they are anadromous: they hatch in freshwater, migrate to sea, then return to freshwater to spawn when they reach adulthood. Shad are not a Washington native, having been imported to this part of the country from the East Coast in the late 19th century. Washington's most important shad run and shad fishery occurs in the Columbia River, extending up into the Snake River. Smaller runs enter a few other streams. In recent years, the Columbia has seen record runs, with annual returns numbering in the millions. The height of the run is from mid-May to mid-June. Adult shad range in size from males averaging about 1 ˝ or two pounds to females that weigh four pounds or more. All are tough fighters and make a strong showing for anglers using light tackle. There is no daily catch limit on shad, and although they are “bony,” the flesh had good flavor, especially when smoked. The roe is considered a delicacy by many shad anglers. Brightly colored mini-jigs, spinners, even a couple of red beads above a bare hook will take shad. There are several good places to fish for them between Bonneville Dam and the town of Camas on the lower Columbia.

Smelts
Smelts comprise a family of schooling fishes with marine, anadromous and freshwater members.

Eulachon are an anadromous smelt. Lower Columbia tributaries, most notably the Cowlitz River, historically provided good eulachon-dipping action, using longhandled  dip nets. Runs there were down in the 1990s, but have recovered enough in recent years that a good fishery is likely again. Check the regulations pamphlet for specific season and catch limit information.

Surf and longfin smelt are the most popular marine species, and are one of the most common fish of the near-shore community inside Puget Sound, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Washington coast. Fisheries occur on both spawning and non-spawning congregations of adults and juveniles. Spawning fish are best harvested from shore on early morning or late evening high slack tides using a dipbag or smelt rake. Non-spawning fish are most commonly taken with jig gear in deeper water from piers or boats. A popular surf smelt fishery occurs at LaConner, where they have a smelt-jigging festival every year the first week of February.  Other smelts found in Washington include whitebait, night, and capelin. There is a landlocked population of longfin smelt in Lake Washington.