🎣 8 curated fishing spots
🗺️ Interactive map
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Seattle sits on Puget Sound's Elliott Bay, and the string of public piers running along the sound from Edmonds to Tacoma puts shore anglers in the path of Chinook, coho, and pink salmon feeding their way toward the rivers they'll spawn in.
Anyone 15 or older needs a Washington fishing licence — a saltwater-only licence covers the piers and beaches here, though the combination licence is often better value if you'll fish fresh and saltwater both. Salmon, steelhead, and halibut all require a separate catch record card, mandatory for every angler regardless of age.
Fishing Spots
The 8 best fishing spots in Seattle
All spots are curated and mapped — click any card for the full story, or open the map to explore.
Seattle #1
Edmonds Fishing Pier
One of the busiest and most productive salmon piers on Puget Sound, built over deep water where Chinook, coho,…
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Seattle #2
Seacrest Park Pier, West Seattle
A pier on the West Seattle side of Elliott Bay, looking straight back across the water at downtown Seattle's s…
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Seattle #3
Les Davis Pier, Commencement Bay
A well-known public salmon pier on Ruston Way in Tacoma, within casting range of fish feeding in the bay befor…
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Seattle #4
Carkeek Park Beach
A driftwood-strewn beach below a wooded park in north Seattle, reached by a short walk down from the bluff. Re…
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Seattle #5
Panther Lake Fishing Access
A 33-acre King County lake about 5 miles south of Renton, WA, with a WDFW dirt boat launch and gravel parking;…
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Seattle #6
Pine Lake
A lake in Sammamish's Pine Lake Park near Seattle, stocked with rainbow trout and home to largemouth bass, yel…
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Seattle #7
Point White Pier
A former ferry dock on Bainbridge Island now used for fishing and crabbing, where anglers commonly catch Pacif…
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Seattle #8
Illahee Dock
A roughly 300-foot public fishing pier at the Illahee Community Dock near Bremerton, WA, extending into Port O…
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Practical Info
Planning your visit
Best timeLate summer into fall (August–October) for the strongest Chinook and coho runs; pink salmon flood the sound in huge numbers every odd-numbered year.
Getting thereSeattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) connects to most major hubs. Edmonds and Seacrest Park are reachable by bus or a short drive from downtown; Tacoma's Ruston Way piers are about 40 minutes south.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Seattle
Do you need a licence to fish in Seattle?
Yes, a Washington fishing licence for anyone 15 or older, plus a free catch record card required for salmon and steelhead regardless of age.
What fish can you catch in Seattle?
Chinook, coho, and pink salmon are the headline runs each fall, with resident coastal cutthroat trout available from the beaches year-round.
Where are the best fishing spots in Seattle?
Edmonds Fishing Pier for one of the sound's most productive salmon piers, Seacrest Park for a scenic Elliott Bay session, and Carkeek Park beach for cutthroat trout. See the full list of spots below or open the map to explore.
Can you fish in Seattle without a boat?
Yes — every spot listed here is a public pier or beach, no boat required.
When is the best time to fish in Seattle?
Late summer into fall for the main Chinook and coho runs, with pink salmon adding huge numbers every odd year.
Explore Seattle on the map
See all 8 fishing spots pinned on an interactive map — and add your own discoveries.
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