2026 Puget Sound Salmon Season: Coho Running Strong

If you've been wondering whether this is a good year to get out on Puget Sound, the short answer is yes. The 2026 summer salmon fishing season has started strong, and the coho fishing in particular has been excellent.

Here's a quick look at what's been happening on the water and what you can expect for the rest of the summer.

Coho Salmon Are Running Strong on Puget Sound

Coho have been the highlight of the early season. We've had consistent days on the water, with multiple trips where everyone on the boat went home with fish, and the action has been steady rather than the hit-or-miss pattern you sometimes see when a run is just getting going.

If you haven't targeted coho before, they're one of the most enjoyable salmon species to catch. They hit hard, they jump, and they fight all the way to the net. For newer anglers especially, coho on Puget Sound are a great introduction to saltwater salmon fishing. The action is fast, and the fish give you something to work for.

We've been moving around Puget Sound day by day, adjusting based on what the fish are doing. Flexibility and local knowledge are exactly what a guided charter gives you that's hard to replicate on your own, especially if you don't spend every day on the water.

Lingcod Season Wrapped Up Well

Before the summer salmon season kicked into full gear, we had a solid lingcod run. Lingcod are one of those fish that anglers either know and love or have never heard of. The reaction when someone pulls one up for the first time is always the same. They look prehistoric. And they taste incredible.

The lingcod fishing this spring was strong. We put people on fish consistently, and the fish were healthy and good-sized. If you missed it this year, put it on your list for next spring. It's worth the early alarm.

Weather Has Been Outstanding

I've been running charters on Puget Sound for over 15 years and the weather this summer has been about as good as it gets. Calm water, mild temperatures, clear mornings. The kind of conditions that make even a slower bite feel like an exceptional day on the water.

When the Sound is calm, everything is better: the boat is comfortable, the fishing is easier, and the views are hard to beat. Mount Rainier to the southeast, the Olympics to the west. For clients who are first-timers, starting out in conditions like these makes a real difference. You're not fighting weather or discomfort, so you can actually focus on learning and enjoying it.

Every Group Is Different

One of the things I genuinely enjoy about guiding is the range of people who come out. A few weeks ago I had a group that included complete beginners alongside people who've been fishing for decades. That mix requires some juggling, but those are some of the best trips.

The first-timers learn from scratch: how to hold the rod, feel a bite, set the hook, fight a fish without giving it slack. The experienced anglers fine-tune their approach and usually pick up a few things about how I read the water and position the boat. Kids have a completely different energy on the boat. There's nothing quite like watching a kid reel in their first salmon.

The goal on every trip, no matter who's aboard, is the same: get people on fish and make sure everyone's learning something. That's not marketing. It's just what happens when you pay attention to what each person needs.

What to Expect for the Rest of Summer 2026

The coho are running and the season is just getting started. August and September are typically the strongest months for Puget Sound salmon fishing, so if you've been thinking about booking a trip, this is the window.

Here's where things stand right now:

• Coho salmon fishing should stay strong through September
• Chinook (King) salmon opportunities are available depending on current regulations and area openings
• Trips depart from Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle — easy access, great water
• Half-day and full-day options available depending on your schedule
• Private boat charters mean it's just your group on the boat — no strangers, no crowds
• All experience levels welcome — beginners, kids, and seasoned anglers all do well

Weekends are filling up. If you have a date in mind, reach out sooner rather than later and I'll let you know what's available.

Book a Puget Sound Charter This Summer

If you want to get out on the Sound for salmon this summer, I'd love to take you fishing. Whether it's your first time on the water or you've been fishing Puget Sound for years, a guided trip puts you in the best position to bring fish home — and actually understand why you're fishing where you are.

Contact me here to check availability. I'll fill you in on what's fishing best at the time you're planning to go out and help you pick the right trip for your group.

See you on the water.

— Captain Cary Hofmann, CNH Sportfishing Charters