Fishing Reports and Blog for Seattle, Washington
“I have been an angler, fishing guide and charter operator in Washington my entire adult life. I want this website to be a place of learning and encouragement for all of you that enjoy fishing in Seattle, Washington State and beyond. Search the Blog for the most recent information. My hope is that the information on this site brings you a better experience and success on the water. Good luck and good fishing!”
Andrew Moravec
Riptidefish Founder
Fishing in Seattle – May 2020
It is with much enthusiasm that I can share with you, Washington fishing returns! We have been patiently waiting after a month of full closure and are almost back to normal. We still have a few of our favorite fisheries that are still in limbo as of May 5, like Halibut fishing, Shellfishing (including my personal favorite Spot Shrimp), and Coastal areas 1-4, but at least we can get out and wet a line!
Lingcod fishing opens up in Puget Sound, San Juan Islands and the Straits on May 5.
Lake fishing opens statewide on May 5. And all normal lakes open up with planted trout, as well as a great shot at pre-spawn Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass fishing.
River fishing opens statewide on May 5. Although many of our accustomed rivers are closed until June. Please review regulations for rivers that are opened, such as the Yakima for trout fishing and the Cowlitz River for steelhead.
Halibut fishing is on hiatus until the state and tribes work through opening seasons. Many anglers head to the tribal ports of Neah Bay and La Push, which are still limiting visitors. Check out WDFW Halibut Page for updates.
Spot Shrimp Season is also on hiatus until the state determines opening dates. Please check WDFW Shrimping Page for more details.
WDFW Covid Updates will be a good resource for the current situation and new info.
I am very fortunate to get a chance to get the boat out again and will be posting updated reports as I have them. Great luck out there and stay safe everyone!
Andrew Moravec, Riptidefish.com
The Newest Good Stuff...
How We Smoke and Can Rainbow Trout
For many years, I’ve been honing in my smoked salmon recipe and canned it once or twice, but smoking and canning Rainbow Trout was a new one for me. My buddy Jerome sent me some photos of the absolute haul of trout that his kiddos caught over Memorial Day weekend in Eastern Washington, and asked …
Spot Prawn Taco Recipe
In the Pacific Northwest, Spot Prawns are the top dog of seafood. They are our largest Shrimp species, they are a succulent treat, and the season is brief. When I get back from a day of shrimping, a batch of deep-fried Spot Shrimp loaded into a taco offers one of my favorite meals of the …
Puget Sound Lingcod Fishing May 5, 2020
It felt so good being back on the water after a month plus of no fishing! I had ample time to prep my Lingcod gear for the Puget Sound opener and was ready. We launched at Shilshole with a bit of confusion on whether the launch and parking area was open or not, but we …
Seattle Fishing Report – April 2020
Desperate times call for deperate measures. With the current Covid-19 health crisis, Washington State has implemented an emergency declaration that all fishing and shellfishing in our state is temporarily closed. The latest update is that all fishing is closed until at least May 4. Please visit the WDFW Covid-19/Corona Virus Page for the most updated …
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Washington State Fishing Locations
Search this section for information on the best fishing locales for each Washington State region.
Washington Coast & Olympic Peninsula
Washington’s Wild Westside. Rugged coastline, Pacific Beaches, offshore frontiers, temperate rain forests and untamed rivers. Push the drift boat off the river bank or follow the horizon west into the sea for your piece of adventure. Coming Soon!
Puget Sound Region & Seattle
Salish Sea’s endless inland waterways, passages, islands and fishing haunts. Bountiful rivers and lakes in the Puget Sound Lowlands. Come fishing out of Big City Seattle or escape to the wild edges of Puget Sound. Coming Soon!
Cascade Range & Central
Rugged and remote separation zone between West and East. A wild and mountainous region peppered with Alpine Lakes and Streams perfect for finding solitude and great high country fishing. Coming Soon!
Eastern Washington
Big country on the Eastside. Big rivers and countless desert lakes lay in the land of heavy agriculture, sagebrush covered hills and pine covered ridgelines. Coming Soon!
Washington Fish Species
Search this section for information on the best tips, techniques and locations for each of the species that we fish for in Washington State.
Salmon Fishing
Five Species of Pacific Salmon to chase in our rivers and marine areas! Coming Soon!
Halibut Fishing
Whether it’s a small Chicken or a brag-worthy Barn Door, Halibut fillets are a crowd favorite! Coming Soon!
Steelhead Fishing
Head to the river and get on the hunt for the highly prized and often elusive Steelhead. Coming Soon!
Lingcod Fishing
Lingcod are the bullies of the reef, and are a fierce adversary, with delicious white fillets but a face only a mother could love. Coming Soon!
Trout Fishing
Sometimes an easy catch, sometimes not so much. Always a fun time chasing trout in our lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and saltwater beaches. Coming Soon!
Rockfish Fishing
Plentiful all up and down the Pacific Coast, fun to catch bottomfish with yummy fillets! Coming Soon!
Bass Fishing
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are in lakes and ponds in across Washington State. A true gamefish and worthy opponent! Coming Soon!
Crab & Shrimp
Hauling up Dungenes Crab or Spot Shrimp from Washington waters is a hallowed tradition and yields one of my favorite foods! Coming Soon!