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 an hour away, making quick after-work trips realistic.
Seattle Fishing Company’s guide breaks down the river by season. Spring is mostly closed for conservation, while summer brings trout and summer steelhead action in the upper river. Fall is the main event, with Chinook, coho and chum filling the middle and lower river, especially near Auburn’s Highway 18 bridge. Winter belongs to hatchery steelhead, peaking in December and January around Kanaskat-Palmer and the gorge.
You’ll also find top access spots like Kanaskat-Palmer and Flaming Geyser State Parks, Green Valley Road pullouts and several local parks, along with lure picks for each season, from spinners and plugs to twitching jigs and float setups. Because rules protecting wild Chinook change often, the guide stresses checking current WDFW regulations before every trip. It’s an ideal river for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.
Read the full post here: Fishing the Green River
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