As the largest river system on the Washington Coast, the Chehalis flows more than 125 miles from the Willapa Hills to Grays Harbor at Aberdeen, fed by productive tributaries like the Wynoochee, Satsop and Skookumchuck. The upper river is just 1.5 to 2 hours from Seattle, making it one of the easiest big rivers to …
Fishing Reports, Info and News for Seattle, Washington
Washington’s saltwater and freshwater fishing areas have plenty to offer us. The Riptidefish.com mission is to offer you all the information and encouragement to get you excited about fishing around Seattle and Washington State. We are constantly posting fishing reports, how-to tutorials, and detailed reviews of Washington’s best fishing areas. Get out and explore fishing here!
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Newest posts on Washington Fishing
Guide to fishing the Nemah River
Made up of North, Middle and South forks that flow through the Willapa Hills into Willapa Bay near Bay Center, the Nemah River is a small, wild coastal system surrounded by some of the region’s least-disturbed old-growth forest. It sits near the Naselle, about 3.5 to 4 hours from Seattle, so many anglers fish both …
Complete guide to fishing the Naselle River
Winding through the coastal rainforest of Pacific County before emptying into Willapa Bay, the Naselle River is a small, quiet stream known for chrome-bright winter steelhead and a strong fall coho run. It’s a 3.5- to 4-hour drive from Seattle, but anglers are rewarded with misty, moss-covered scenery and far fewer crowds than rivers closer …
Guide to fishing on the Lewis River
With two steelhead runs and four salmon runs, the Lewis River near Woodland offers year-round fishing just two hours south of Seattle. Three dams on the North Fork keep flows cold and stable below Merwin Dam, so the river often stays fishable when neighboring rivers blow out, and it tends to see lighter crowds than …
Our guide to fishing the Kalama River
Draining the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, the Kalama River runs about 45 miles to the Columbia near the town of Kalama, and its clear, green water produces steelhead in nearly every month of the year. Just two hours south of Seattle with access right off I-5, it’s one of Southwest Washington’s most convenient …
Complete guide to fishing the Klickitat River
Flowing about 96 miles from Mount Adams to the Columbia River at Lyle, the Klickitat is famous for some of Washington’s hardest-fighting summer steelhead and fall Chinook. It’s a 2.5- to 3-hour drive from Seattle through the scenic Columbia River Gorge, and its glacial source keeps the water cold, milky and quick to change. Seattle …
Guide to fishing on the Puyallup River
Born on the glaciers of Mount Rainier, the Puyallup River runs about 45 miles to Tacoma’s Commencement Bay and ranks among the most accessible salmon rivers near Seattle. The lower river is just 35 to 40 minutes away, making it an easy after-work option. Because it’s glacier-fed, though, it can turn high and milky quickly, …
Complete Guide to Lake Chelan Fishing
Stretching more than 50 miles from the resort town of Chelan to remote Stehekin, Lake Chelan is one of the deepest lakes in the country and one of Washington’s most scenic multi-species fisheries. It’s a 3.5- to 4-hour drive from Seattle, making it better suited to a weekend getaway than a day trip. Mackinaw are …
Our guide to fishing the Cowlitz River
Backed by one of Washington’s largest hatchery programs, the Cowlitz River offers salmon and steelhead action nearly every month of the year. The river flows about 105 miles from the Cascades near Mount Rainier to the Columbia at Longview and Kelso, and its upstream dams keep flows steadier and clearer than on many nearby rivers, …
Guide to fishing on the Green River
Flowing roughly 65 miles out of the Cascade foothills before becoming the Duwamish, the Green River is one of the most convenient salmon and steelhead fisheries near Seattle. The lower river around Auburn and Kent is about a half-hour drive from the city, while the dramatic upper gorge near Enumclaw and Black Diamond is about …
Complete Guide to Halibut Fishing in Washington
Prized for their size and excellent fillets, Pacific Halibut are one of Washington’s favorite saltwater targets, and Seattle Fishing Company’s complete guide shows anglers how to get in on the action. Seasons are set by quota, typically opening in spring, and can close early or be extended depending on fishing pressure. The guide also explains …
Fishing for Puget Sound Chinook
Summer Chinook season is one of Puget Sound’s most eagerly awaited fisheries, and Seattle Fishing Company’s guide covers where to go, when to fish and what to use. Because wild Puget Sound Chinook are listed as threatened, each marine area has its own openers, quotas and rules that can change from year to year, so …
Complete Guide to fishing the Queets River
Flowing out of the Olympic Mountains, the Queets River spends most of its length inside Olympic National Park, giving anglers a rare amount of public access. Downstream, it enters the Quinault Indian Reservation, where fishing requires a tribal guide. Seattle Fishing Company’s complete guide explains how to make the most of this wild Olympic Peninsula …
Complete guide to fishing the Hoh River
Born in the glaciers of Mount Olympus, the Hoh River winds through one of the world’s wettest temperate rainforests before reaching the Pacific, and it ranks among the Olympic Peninsula’s most iconic fishing rivers. Seattle Fishing Company’s guide breaks down when, where and how to fish it. Winter belongs to Steelhead, Chinook and Coho take …
Best places to catch salmon from shore on Whidbey Island
Sitting in the middle of Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is Washington’s largest island and one of the state’s top destinations for salmon fishing from shore. Much of the Sound’s salmon run hugs the island’s north and west beaches, making for accessible fishing from summer into fall. Seattle Fishing Company’s guide circles the island to highlight …
Best places to catch salmon from shore on Whidbey IslandRead More
Complete guide to the best public fishing piers in Puget Sound
No boat? No problem. Seattle Fishing Company’s guide to Puget Sound’s best public piers shows how shore-bound anglers can hook Chinook, Coho and Pink Salmon in the heart of the city and beyond. In Seattle, Seacrest Park offers skyline views and Duwamish-bound fish, while the Spokane Street Bridge heats up in late summer and fall. …
Complete guide to the best public fishing piers in Puget SoundRead More
Guide to fishing the Bogachiel River near Forks
Just outside Forks, the self-proclaimed Steelhead capital of the Pacific Northwest, the Bogachiel River is one of the Olympic Peninsula’s most productive salmon and steelhead streams. Fed by rain and springs in Olympic National Park, “the Bogey” usually runs clear but is often among the first rivers to blow out after heavy storms, and fishing …
Fishing at Whistle Lake near Anacortes
Tucked into the Anacortes Forest Lands in the heart of Fidalgo Island, Whistle Lake is a hike-in only destination that trades crowds for quiet woods and calm water. While most visitors head to Deception Pass or the area’s stocked lakes, Seattle Fishing Company’s guide makes the case for this hidden gem. Getting there is easy: …
Fishing at Whidbey Island’s Glendale Beach
Whidbey Island is packed with well-known public beaches for salmon fishing, but Glendale Beach on the island’s southeast side remains a quiet, lesser-known option. Seattle Fishing Company’s spot guide introduces this uncrowded stretch of shoreline, where the handful of anglers in the know catch Coho and Pink Salmon in season. It’s an easy add-on if …
Summer Chinook Season Kicks off July 17th in Puget Sound & San Juan Islands
Puget Sound’s biggest salmon opener kicks off on July 17th with Hatchery Chinook retention happening all over. The Sound will be buzzing with fishing boats all on the search for one of our most prized catches of the year. Here’s a quick post to get you up to speed and geared up for the 2025 Puget Sound Summer Chinook Season
Summer Chinook Season Kicks off July 17th in Puget Sound & San Juan IslandsRead More
