What's the Sound (Seattle area) good for?

Hey there everyone! I recently moved up here from the SF Bay Area and loving it here! I've looked around the Sound and looks like there's a ton of good spots to fish but not much reports as to activity out there. What is there to fish for in the Sound? And where are some good spots that aren't too far from the Seattle area? Will post when I go out and as always, repots and pics. Thanks!

Z

Here's this years salmon season around Seattle.  Also there is usually a short lingcod season from May 1 - June 15.  However, I wouldn't eat a ling from MA10.

Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton):

    May 1-May 31: Closed

    June 1-June 30: Waters north of Meadow Point/Point Monroe line, catch and release. Single-point barbless hooks only.

    July 1-July 15: Two fish daily limit, plus two additional pink salmon, chinook release.

    July 16-Aug. 15: Two fish limit, plus two additional pink salmon. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches. Release wild chinook. Release chum beginning Aug. 1. Single-point barbless hooks only. Hatchery chinook retention may close earlier if combined Marine Area 9 and 10 quota of 7,000 hatchery chinook or Area 10 quota of 1,700 hatchery chinook is attained.

    Aug. 16-Oct. 15: Two fish limit, plus two additional pink through Sept. 30. Release chinook. Release chum through Sept. 15.

    Oct. 16-Nov. 30: Two fish daily limit, only one of which may be a chinook. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches.

    Dec. 1-Jan. 31: Two fish daily limit. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches; release wild chinook. Single-point barbless hooks only.

    Feb. 1-April 30: Closed.

    Inner Elliott Bay: Friday through Monday, July 6-Aug. 20: Open east of Pier 91/Duwamish Head line. Two fish daily limit, plus two additional pink salmon. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches. Release chum Aug. 1-Aug. 20. Beginning Aug. 21, same as Marine Area 10 regulations.

    Sinclair Inlet: July 1-Sept. 30: Open south of Manette Bridge, south of line drawn true west from Battle Point and west of line true south from Point White, two fish limit, plus two additional pink salmon, and minimum size for chinook is 22 inches. Release chum Aug. 1-Sept. 15. Other times – same as Marine Area 10.

    Area 10 Piers: Seacrest Pier, Pier 86, Waterman Pier, Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier: Open year-round with a two-fish daily limit, only one of which may be a chinook, plus two additional pink salmon from July 1 through Sept. 30. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches. Release chum Aug. 1-Sept. 15.

Thanks for the info Pole2! I'm gonna print that out, laminate it, and secure it inside my Plano box. Sounds pretty complicated for such a simple minded fisherman. 

BTW, I'm pretty settled now so may be able to fish very soon! I'll keep you posted.

Z

The Sound has been hammered hard, for years, and has some other environmental issues, too. The bottomfish are severely depressed and have very restrictive seasons. The salmon runs are a fraction (esp. wild runs), but hatchery runs and pinks and chums are hanging in there. There are good moments.

The best fishing in WA is (generally) in the less populated areas.

Z, you think that complicated?  I posted the seasons for all of WA waters here.

-Allen

Z, you think that complicated?  I posted the seasons for all of WA waters here.
-Allen

Wha~~haaa~~t?? That's going to be a scroll in my Plano box .
Thanks for posting!

Z

The Elliott Bay king fishery in July and August is a great kayak fishery.  Check it out.  You can fish for a couple of hours and still make it in to work (albeit a little wet and slimy).