Salmon Fishing Out of Anacortes: Island-Hopping for Chinook and Coho

A Crossroads for Migrating Salmon

The waters surrounding Anacortes sit at a geographic crossroads where multiple salmon migration routes converge. Fish bound for the Skagit River, Nooksack River, Fraser River (British Columbia), and dozens of smaller streams all pass through the channels between the San Juan Islands and Fidalgo Island. This convergence of migration routes creates fishing opportunities from June through October, with different runs of Chinook and coho providing continuously changing — and often overlapping — target windows.

Understanding Local Salmon Runs

Chinook Salmon (June through September)

Multiple Chinook stocks migrate through the Anacortes area during summer. Fraser River-bound kings (some of the largest in the region, averaging 20 to 30 pounds) pass through in July and August. Skagit River Chinook arrive from June through September. Puget Sound-origin fish add to the mix throughout summer. The challenge — and the excitement — is that on any given day, your troll through Rosario Strait might intercept fish heading for rivers 100 miles apart.

Coho Salmon (August through October)

Coho bound for the Skagit and other Puget Sound rivers move through the Anacortes area from August into October. These bright, acrobatic fish average 8 to 14 pounds and provide outstanding sport on medium-weight tackle. Coho tend to travel at shallower depths than Chinook and respond well to flashy hoochie and fly presentations. The peak coho window (September-October) overlaps with peak fall weather and reduced boat traffic, making it a favorite season for local anglers.

Pink Salmon (Odd Years, July through September)

In odd-numbered years, enormous runs of pink salmon pass through the San Juan Islands on their way to the Fraser River and other spawning streams. Pink salmon average 4 to 6 pounds but arrive in such numbers that daily limits are easily achieved. The pink run typically peaks in August, and the action in Rosario Strait and the San Juan channels can be fast and furious. Light tackle and small pink or chartreuse lures are the ticket.

Key Fishing Areas

Rosario Strait

The main channel of Rosario Strait is the primary salmon fishing area for Anacortes-based anglers. The strait runs between Fidalgo Island (Anacortes) and the San Juan Islands, with strong tidal currents that create rips and eddies where salmon feed. Trolling the edges of the main current flow — where fast water meets slower water along the island shorelines — is the standard approach. The area around Lawson Reef, Burrows Island, and Allan Island are well-known salmon producers.

Guemes Channel

The narrower Guemes Channel between Fidalgo and Guemes Islands produces consistent salmon catches, particularly during flood tides when fish are pushed through the constriction. The rip lines at each end of the channel concentrate bait and attract feeding salmon. Trolling through these areas during moderate current produces regular hookups.

San Juan Islands Approaches

The waters around Lopez Island, Decatur Island, and Blakely Island — all accessible from Anacortes within 20 to 30 minutes by boat — provide additional salmon trolling opportunities. The island points and passes create current features that concentrate migrating fish, and the variety of fishing spots means you can always find productive water regardless of tide direction.

Trolling Techniques

Downrigger Trolling

Downriggers are essential for controlling depth in the strong currents around Anacortes. A typical setup runs 2 to 4 downrigger lines at depths ranging from 30 to 120 feet for Chinook and 15 to 50 feet for coho. Standard presentations include flasher-and-herring, flasher-and-hoochie, and cut-plug herring behind a dodger. Trolling speed varies from 1.5 to 2.8 mph depending on species and bait selection.

Mooching

Mooching — drift fishing with weighted herring — is a traditional technique that works well during slack tides in the Anacortes area. Lower a whole herring on a mooching rig to the desired depth, then pump and reel slowly to create an enticing action. This technique is particularly effective in the quieter bays and channels where trolling pressure may have educated fish.

Tackle Setup

"Anacortes salmon fishing is all about the currents. The channels between these islands funnel fish through predictable routes, and if you know where the current breaks are and time your trolling to the tides, you'll find fish. It's like reading a road map — the salmon are just following the highways." — Anacortes salmon guide

Current and Tide Management

The tidal currents in Rosario Strait and surrounding channels are substantial, regularly exceeding 3 knots during spring tides. Fishing during peak current is generally unproductive — your tackle is difficult to control, and salmon tend to hold in eddies and backwaters rather than actively feeding. The optimal fishing windows are during moderate current (1-2 knots) and the periods 1 to 2 hours on each side of slack water. Plan your fishing day around the tide tables, and be prepared to move to different locations as current conditions change.

Regulations

Salmon fishing in the Anacortes area falls under WDFW Marine Area 7 regulations. Daily bag limits (typically 2 salmon), mark-selective requirements (often hatchery-only retention for Chinook), and species-specific restrictions apply. Regulations can change mid-season, so check WDFW's current rules before each trip. Pink salmon in odd years typically have higher bag limits. The marine area boundaries around Anacortes can be confusing — carry a current WDFW regulation pamphlet with maps aboard your boat.