Of all the Pacific salmon species, pink salmon are the most common. 7.76 million pink salmon are expected to return to the Puget Sound this year; the third largest run on record! This is going to be a great year to teach newbies how to fish or learn a new fishery yourself. Pink salmon are snappy, eager biters, perfect for kids or new fishermen. They are named for the pink color of their meat. Speaking of their meat, they taste great grilled or smoked, especially when bled and iced right away.
August is a great time of year to target pink salmon in both the ocean and rivers. They run close to the shore, enabling many bank fishermen the chance at getting a limit. Let's go over 5 Puget Sound saltwater locations and 5 freshwater locations to get you started.
Lincoln Park
A favorite beach for Seattle locals! There is plenty of room to spread out on this large beach. It is a bit of a walk from the parking lot, but don't let that deter you. The fishing here is quite good! The fish run close to shore all the way up and down the beach. Bring your pink Buzz Bombs!
Point No Point
Probably the steepest beach on the list, Point No Point is a beautiful spot to fish. It has an old lighthouse with an adjoining park. The main parking lot is closed down, but you can park at the nearby overflow parking lot and walk to the beach. Make sure to look at a tide chart before you go. The current tends to rip here, which can lead to tangled lines.
Picnic Point
This is another beach that has good concentrations of pink salmon. Bring your waders and watch for schools swimming by. This beach is popular with fly fishermen; make sure to leave them plenty of room to cast. If the fish aren't biting, Edmonds Pier and Mukilteo Beach are both nearby.
Edmonds Pier
Though you'll definitely have company, especially on weekends, this is a fantastic pier for catching all types of salmon. You'll want to have a plan for bringing your fish up on the dock, however. Most people bring a crab ring and haul their catch up that way. Since you're in an elevated spot, it's easier to see fins and tails that signal when the schools of salmon are coming.
Les Davis Pier
This is another saltwater pier that has gained popularity since Dash Point and Redondo Piers were both closed. There are lots of nearby amenities, including a small cafe near the entrance of the pier. Schools of fish swim by frequently during the peak of the season. You'll want to bring a crab ring here to bring your fish up to the dock.
Puyallup River
Like many other fishermen, I learned how to catch pinks on this river! There is a ton of shore access, but it can be crowded, especially on weekends. Tread carefully when wading- it can be almost impossible to spot submerged boulders and trees in the murky water. Most people here drift pink corkies and yarn. Levee Road and River Road near the lower part of the river offer good bank access. Look for gravel bars and bends in the river. The Puyallup runs into the Carbon River, which also has great shore access, but typically opens later in the year. Look for parks and access points near Orting.
Green River
This river has a surprising amount of bank access. Numerous parks and trails dot the river. You can find spots to drift fish, toss spinners, and twitch jigs. The river is called the Duwamish as it gets closer to the mouth. Start in the Duwamish early in the season and follow the fish as they move into the upper river. Most of the river is clear and shallow, so you'll be able to see the schools coming. If they aren't biting at one spot, move to another.
Snohomish River
One of the most popular rivers for fishing pink salmon, there is plenty of shore access here. Thomas Eddy Park and Lord Hill Park have many trails you can walk to find your spot. Many anglers here drift Dick Nite spoons with good success. There are several other parks with good shore access on the lower river.
Nisqually River
This beautiful South Sound river doesn't have much bank access, but it is projected to get an especially strong run of pinks this year. The Nisqually River Public Access has a trail and some rocks that you can fish off of. Bring a lot of extra gear; there are some nasty snags in the river.
Skagit River
Most of the shore access here is at boat ramps and gravel bars. The folks at Holiday Sports in Burlington are always willing to share hot spots with anglers. Just about any gear will work on this river. There are shallow, fast runs that are perfect for drifting as well as slow, deep pockets for twitching jigs or throwing out a bobber. Versatile anglers will do well on this river.
Tackle
For Puget Sound beaches, I'd recommend bringing at least an 8-foot rod; casting distance is important. Make sure it can sling about an ounce of lead. Pink Buzz Bombs are the standard lure. Toss it out to schools of fish and try different jigging speeds and patterns to see what works. Make sure not to dunk your reel in sand or saltwater, and always rinse it thoroughly when you come home.
For rivers, you can use the same rod and reel you used for the beaches. Tie on a corky and yarn if you want to drift fish. About 4 to 6 feet of leader should do the trick. It takes some time to be able to feel the difference between the bottom and a fish bite. Bring a few different weights so you can adjust according to the speed of the current- you want to tick bottom every few seconds, not drag on it. Pink spinners and twitching jigs will also catch fish.
Before heading out, always make sure to check the latest rules and regulations. Emergency closure can and does happen. Pinch your barbs in the Sound and rivers with barbless requirements. Make sure to bring a cooler with ice: pink salmon don't taste as good when they're left flopping on the bank.
