Where the Chehalis, Humptulips, Wynoochee and Satsop rivers meet the Pacific between Westport and Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor offers one of Washington’s most well-rounded fishing destinations. The sheltered estuary is ideal for small-boat anglers, and it’s only about 2 to 2.5 hours from Seattle, making it a realistic weekend getaway or long day trip.
Seattle Fishing Company’s guide highlights fall as the signature season, when Chinook and coho peak in September and early October before commercial fishing begins. Anglers troll cut-plug herring behind inline flashers near Markham and in the North Bay. Summer opens offshore tuna, halibut and rockfish out of Westport, winter shifts attention to steelhead in the tributaries, and Dungeness crabbing stays open year-round, with some seasonal restrictions.
Top spots include the 28th Street Ramp in Aberdeen, Westport’s boat basin, piers and jetty, Ocean Shores for surf perch, and the Johns River access. The guide also covers jig-and-grub setups for rockfish and lingcod off the jetties, plus reminders to check regulations, which vary between the bay, rivers and open coast. With salmon, bottomfish, crab and offshore species all within reach, few Washington destinations offer this much variety in one place.
Read the full post here: Fishing at Grays Harbor
Our guide to fishing the Chehalis River
