Techniques Used on Washington Waters
How Washington guides fish the salt, the rivers and the lakes.
We're anglers who grew up on Washington's waters, from mooching for salmon in the salt to throwing flies for trout on the rivers. Every method here has its own way of reading the water, and each guide is written by someone who fishes it. Start with the fish you want, and this page will point you to the right way to go after them.
Check WDFW Before Every Trip
Timing on these pages is the best time to fish, not a regulation. Seasons, limits, gear rules and closures change every year and can change mid-season by emergency rule. Read the current WDFW sport fishing rules and emergency rules for the water you plan to fish.
Good Right Now
In season for NovemberPicks change with the seasons. Updated monthly.
Pick by Fish and Water
Numbers are guides listing each method. No number means it's often done on your own.Tap a fish to see its methods, or tap a cell or method to narrow it further.
Saltwater
Puget Sound, the Strait, the coast and the beaches.
Halibut
Drift heavy bait or jigs along the bottom during short quota openers.
- Boat
- Beginner Friendly
Trolling
A moving boat with downriggers and flashers puts lures at the depth salmon are holding.
- Boat
- Beginner Friendly
- Family Friendly
Mooching
Drift with the motor off and work a plug-cut herring by hand.
- Boat
Jigging
Work metal or soft-plastic jigs under bait for salmon and over rocky reefs for lingcod and rockfish.
- Boat or Shore
Beach Fly Fishing
Cast baitfish flies along Puget Sound and Hood Canal shorelines.
- Shore
- Fly Rod
Crabbing and Shrimping
Set baited pots or ring nets, often added to a salmon charter.
- Boat or Shore
- Beginner Friendly
- Family Friendly
Squid Jigging
Fish glowing jigs at night under pier lights. No boat needed.
- Shore
- Beginner Friendly
- Family Friendly
Rivers
Salmon and steelhead rivers from the Olympic Peninsula to the Columbia.
Drift Fishing
Bounce a corky-and-yarn rig along the bottom at the speed of the current.
- Boat or Shore
Float Fishing
Hang a jig or bead under a float, just above the bottom.
- Shore
- Beginner Friendly
Spoons and Spinners
Cast and retrieve metal lures in rivers or off saltwater beaches.
- Shore
- Beginner Friendly
Pulling Plugs
The guide rows slower than the current so diving plugs work down the run.
- Boat
Side Drifting
The drift boat floats sideways so every rig covers the run beside it.
- Boat
Swung Flies
Swing a fly across the current, usually on a two-handed Spey rod.
- Shore
- Fly Rod
Plunking
Anchor a rig where fish travel and wait for the strike.
- Boat or Shore
- Beginner Friendly
Lakes & Other
Kokanee and trout lakes, east and west of the Cascades.
Kokanee Trolling
Troll slowly with a small dodger and a corn-tipped lure.
- Boat
Still-Water Fly Fishing
Fish chironomids, leeches and nymphs from a float tube or small boat.
- Boat
- Fly Rod
Each method links to its Find a Guide filter. Drift fishing and float fishing share the steelhead gear filter, and side drifting and pulling plugs share the drift boat steelhead filter.
Not Sure Which Method Fits?
Start with the fish and the month. Seasons shows what's running now, and Fisheries covers each water in depth. Or browse every guide.