Seattle Forecast
"I Been Fishin' Longer Than You" Report
May 19, 2026PRO TIP: Pro Tip: Try jigging a weighted spoon deep down near the bottom. The erratic action might just trigger a strike from those reluctant Silvers. Vary your retrieve to find what they like.
WHATS BITIN: What's Bitin: Sporadic Silver Salmon, Needlefish
GRUMBLE: Grumble: These newfangled boats are too loud! Scares all the fish away for miles. Back in my day, we used cedar logs, and the salmon practically jumped in the boat!
Seattle Fishing Forecast & Tide Charts
History of the Place: Seattle's fishing heritage is as deep as the Puget Sound itself. Long before the tech giants arrived, the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples harvested the salmon runs of the Cedar and Green rivers. By 1914, the city established Fishermen’s Terminal, which remains the home port for the North Pacific fishing fleet. Elliott Bay has historically served as a vital staging ground where salmon transition from salt to fresh water.
List of Fishing Areas:
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Elliott Bay: The heart of the urban fishery.
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West Point: Located off Discovery Park, a hotspot for migrating Kings.
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Shilshole Bay: The gateway to the Ballard Locks.
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Alki Point: A great spot for resident Coho.
Type of Fish: Chinook (King), Coho (Silver), Pink Salmon (odd years), Resident Cutthroat Trout, and winter Squid.
Season Fishing Forecast:
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Winter: Focus on “Blackmouth” (immature Chinook) in deep water.
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Spring: Lingcod openers provide bottom-fishing thrills.
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Summer: Peak season for Chinook and Coho migrations.
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Fall: Returning salmon stack up in the Duwamish and Elliott Bay.
Gear & Strategy: Downriggers are mandatory here. Troll at 60–120 feet using 11-inch flashers. Always check the Seattle tide charts before launching from Shilshole.
Grandpa's Cold Hard Truth: Junior, the Space Needle won’t catch you fish. Stop staring at the skyline and start looking at your sonar. The fish are there, but they don’t like the noise you humans make. Be quiet, be patient, and keep your gear clean.