Washington Chinook Salmon Fishing 2026: Puget Sound, Columbia, Catch Records

Chinook salmon—kings—drive Washington’s saltwater seasons and Columbia River fisheries, with in-season rule changes common when quotas tighten. WDFW publishes marine area tables and salmon seasons that can differ week to week—never rely on last month’s screenshot. Pair this guide with our Washington fishing overview for 2026.

Short history and management overview

West Coast Chinook face habitat and ocean survival challenges. Managers balance treaty fisheries, recreational opportunity, and conservation—expect emergency closures.

Main locations in Washington

• Puget Sound marine areas — Trolling when open; orcas and closures may apply.
• Washington coast — Ocean ports when seasons align.
• Columbia River — Joint rules with Oregon; check bank-specific sections.

Population and trends

Follow WDFW run forecasts and in-season catch accounting—stocks vary by river system.

2026 regulations and bag limits

WDFW salmon regulations + catch record requirements:

• Season dates by area
• Size limits and daily limits
• Mark-selective fisheries where adipose-clipped retention applies

How to fish for Chinook salmon in Washington (strategies and tactics)

• Trolling — Downriggers and flashers with herring or spoons; match probe depth.
• Mooching — Where allowed in marine areas.
• River fishing — Bobber and drift presentations when open.

More Washington species guides (2026)

• Coho salmon
• Steelhead
• Largemouth bass
• Pacific halibut

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Sources

1. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Fishing." WDFW, wdfw.wa.gov/fishing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
2. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Salmon fishing." WDFW, wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/salmon. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
3. NOAA Fisheries. "West Coast Salmon." NOAA, fisheries.noaa.gov/species/west-coast-salmon. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
4. Pacific Fishery Management Council. PFMC, pcouncil.org. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.