Salmon Fishing Out of Anacortes: Island-Hopping for Chinook and Coho
The waters around Anacortes intercept major salmon migrations heading for rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Here'...
Read MoreWashington · Strait & Sound
ANACORTES
FISHING CHARTERS
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About
Anacortes Fishing
Anacortes is the gateway to the San Juan Islands and one of Washington's top fishing ports. The productive waters of Rosario Strait, Deception Pass, and the San Juan Channel hold salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish year-round. The town's marina district provides a comfortable base for exploring the stunning San Juan archipelago by charter boat.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Anacortes?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Inshore
|
F | F | F | F | G | G | P | P | G | F | F | F |
|
Bottom Fishing
|
F | F | F | G | P | P | P | G | G | F | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | G | G | - | - | - | F | - | - |
|
Bottom Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | G | P | G | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | G | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | P | G | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Anacortes Fish Species
6+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Bottom Fishing Species
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Anacortes
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
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Anacortes Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Anacortes.
Guest Reviews
4.7
based on 3 reviews
Anacortes Fishing Reviews
Winter Blackmouth Biting in Rosario Strait
The winter blackmouth fishery was on fire in Rosario Strait with resident Chinook feeding deep on herring balls. Trolled cut-plug herring at 120 feet and hooked into fish on almost every pass. Six blackmouth to 14 pounds — these winter kings are the bread and butter of Anacortes salmon fishing.
C
Captain Marvin Shields
February 2025
Chinook Salmon (Blackmouth)
Dungeness Crab Season Opener Blowout
Opening day for crab and our pots were absolutely stuffed with jumbo Dungeness off the Anacortes waterfront. Pulled limits in the first pull and re-set for a second round. Crabs were averaging 7 inches and some were pushing 8 — the biggest opening day haul I've had in 15 years of guiding here.
C
Captain Diane Frost
October 2025
Dungeness Crab
Lingcod at Deception Pass
Fished the current rips at Deception Pass on the tide change and the lingcod were set up perfectly on the reef edges. Dropped jigs into 80 feet and hooked six keepers to 20 pounds. The pass concentrates bait and the lings know it — timing the tide is everything at this spot.
C
Captain Neil Andreasen
May 2025
Lingcod
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