2025 Puget Sound Salmon Season Preview

Every year around this time, I start getting calls from anglers wanting to know: "How's the season looking?" After studying the forecasts, talking with biologists, and drawing on decades of personal experience, here's my take on what 2025 has in store for Puget Sound salmon fishing.

Chinook (King) Salmon Outlook

The 2025 Chinook forecast is looking promising. Hatchery returns are expected to be solid based on smolt releases from recent years, and ocean conditions have been favorable for growth and survival.

What I'm expecting:

• Good numbers of hatchery Chinook returning to Puget Sound rivers
• Fish averaging 12-25 pounds with some trophy-class 30+ pounders mixed in
• Prime fishing from late June through August
• Strong early season action around the San Juan Islands and northern Sound

Key dates to watch:

• Marine Area openings typically announced in May
• July 4th week historically produces excellent fishing
• Late August sees the biggest fish staging near river mouths

Coho (Silver) Salmon Forecast

Coho projections look healthy for 2025. These acrobatic fighters are always a blast to catch and typically show up in good numbers.

Season expectations:

• September will be the prime month for Coho
• Fish running 8-14 pounds on average
• Aggressive topwater strikes make for exciting fishing
• Best action near river mouths and along shoreline structure

Pink Salmon: The Odd-Year Bonus

2025 is an odd year, which means Pink salmon! Pinks only return every two years, and when they do, they flood Puget Sound in massive numbers. This makes for incredible fishing action.

Why Pinks matter:

• Huge schools create easy-to-find targets
• Aggressive biters that hit a variety of lures
• Perfect for beginners and families - nearly guaranteed action
• Available August through September
• No retention limits in many areas

Pink years are some of the best times to introduce someone to fishing. If you've been thinking about bringing the family or a friend who's never fished, 2025 is the year to do it.

Regulation Updates to Watch

Regulations change every year, and 2025 will be no different:

• Always check WDFW emergency rules before heading out
• Marine Area specific openings and closures
• Wild Chinook release requirements in most areas
• Barbless hooks required in many fisheries
• Daily limits may vary by area and species

I stay on top of all regulation changes and will make sure we're fishing legally and ethically on every trip.

Best Strategies for 2025

Based on what I'm seeing, here's how I plan to approach the season:

Early Season (June):

• Target pre-spawn Chinook along deep structure
• Focus on shipping lanes and underwater points
• Downriggers set 80-150 feet

Mid Season (July-August):

• Follow the Chinook migration patterns south
• Add Pink salmon to the mix starting mid-August
• Multiple species days become possible

Late Season (September):

• Shift focus to Coho salmon
• Target river mouth staging areas
• Lighter tackle for maximum sport

Book Early for 2025

The best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season and Pink salmon runs. If you're planning a trip this year, I'd recommend:

• Booking July weekends now for Chinook
• Reserving August dates for the Pink salmon bonanza
• Planning September trips for Coho action

Whether it's your first fishing trip or your fiftieth, 2025 is shaping up to be a memorable season on Puget Sound. Let's get you out on the water.