Intro
Fishing in Washington in December shifts the emphasis toward winter patterns. Coastal and Olympic Peninsula rivers become central to steelhead planning, squid activity continues in the southern part of Puget Sound, and anglers considering the Columbia and Snake must adapt their expectations for walleye. Hood Canal chum may still be part of the conversation at the tail of their usual fall window.
What’s in season
Winter steelhead. Steelhead are sea-run rainbow trout. The usual coastal and Olympic Peninsula window is December through March, and one guide calendar uses that span for the Humptulips and Wynoochee. A commonly cited fish weight is 8-11 pounds, but individual fish vary. Treat the month range as a planning pattern only. See steelhead.
Squid. Squid remain relevant in southern Puget Sound. Des Moines and Tacoma are commonly associated with late November and December, while South Sound activity is usually discussed across December and January. Night jigging under lights is the approach associated with this fishery. The regional pattern does not guarantee action on a particular night. See squid.
Chum salmon. Hood Canal’s usual chum salmon period runs October through December. December is the tail of that historical window, rather than its center. An angler comparing December choices should distinguish this late-fall possibility from the developing winter focus on coastal steelhead. See salmon.
Blackmouth. Resident Chinook, often called blackmouth, are a winter and spring saltwater option in Puget Sound. One guide’s calendar places blackmouth trips in January through March. For December planning, this is primarily a fishery to research for the months ahead, not one to assume is a December opportunity. Read more about salmon.
Walleye. Walleye on the Columbia and Snake can still be pursued in winter, although the fishing is generally tougher than fall. The basic seasonal adjustment is to work deeper water slowly, near the bottom. Fair winter potential should not be confused with consistently easy fishing. See walleye.
Fishery guides at their best then: Hood Canal Chum, Olympic Peninsula Winter Steelhead, Puget Sound Squid, Skagit, Snohomish & Sky Salmon and Steelhead and Yakima River Trout.
By region
Olympic Peninsula and coast rivers: The Forks area and the broader coast are relevant starting points for winter steelhead research. The Humptulips and Wynoochee appear on a guide’s December-through-March calendar, giving anglers specific rivers to compare without implying identical conditions.
Puget Sound: The southern part of the Sound draws attention for squid, with Des Moines and Tacoma useful reference points. Blackmouth belongs on the longer winter and spring planning list, particularly for trips after December.
Hood Canal: December sits at the end of the area’s usual chum period. Mid-Columbia and Snake: Walleye remain a possible freshwater focus, with deeper, slower presentations becoming more relevant.
Trip ideas
A coastal steelhead day: Search guides who cover Olympic Peninsula or coastal rivers, then compare their listed waters and approaches. Steelhead planning depends on the river as well as the season.
A South Sound squid outing: Use the guide directory to explore Puget Sound coverage and compare it with a pier-focused night-jigging plan. Not every regional listing will focus on squid.
A winter walleye trip: Browse guides serving the Columbia and Snake and ask about winter-oriented boat outings. A slower, deeper approach is part of the seasonal picture.
Ask your guide for their WDFW guide license number before you book.
Fishing reports
Explore recent fishing reports for observations that may be more timely than a season guide. The live editorials on fall steelhead and Puget Sound squid offer related background, but their October focus should not be mistaken for a December report.
Check the rules before you go
Seasons, limits and closures change every year and by emergency rule. Check current WDFW rules at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations and emergency rules/closures at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/emergency-rules before you go. Confirm the rules for the exact river or marine area being considered.
FAQ
Is December a good time for coastal steelhead? Yes. The coast and Olympic Peninsula have a recognized winter pattern. It is not a statement about any specific river’s current rules; check WDFW.
Where should squid anglers focus their research? South Sound is the broad winter reference. Des Moines and Tacoma are also associated with the seasonal southward movement, but local activity needs more recent context.
Is Hood Canal chum still worth researching? Its usual fall pattern can extend into early winter. That seasonal context is useful, but current WDFW information determines what is possible at a chosen location.
What changes for walleye in winter? The fishing generally becomes more difficult. Deeper, slow presentations near the bottom match the seasonal guidance; they do not remove the uncertainty of any given outing.
Previous and next month
Previous month: November. Next month: January. Use these as adjacent planning pages when comparing how Washington fishing patterns shift through winter. See the seasons index for the full month list as pages go live.