Salmon Fishing the San Juan Islands: Channels, Currents & Chrome-Bright Kings
The San Juan Islands intercept major salmon migrations from multiple river systems. Master the channels, currents, and t...
Read MoreWashington · Strait & Sound
SAN JUAN ISLANDS
FISHING CHARTERS
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Fishing Types
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San Juan Islands, WA
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About
San Juan Islands Fishing
The San Juan Islands are a stunning archipelago of 172 named islands in the Salish Sea, surrounded by some of the most productive fishing waters in the Pacific Northwest. Salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish thrive in the nutrient-rich currents between the islands. Friday Harbor on San Juan Island serves as the main base for charter fishing operations.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in San Juan Islands?
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 | P | G | G | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | P | G | - | - | - | G | - | - |
|
Bottom Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | G | P | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | G | P | P | G | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | P | G | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
San Juan Islands 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 San Juan Islands
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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San Juan Islands Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in San Juan Islands.
Guest Reviews
4.7
based on 3 reviews
San Juan Islands Fishing Reviews
Chinook and Orcas — The Ultimate San Juan Experience
Trolled the westside of San Juan Island and hooked into a 26-pound Chinook while watching a pod of orcas hunt a quarter mile away. Released the wild king carefully and retained two fat hatchery fish. The San Juans offer the most scenic salmon fishing in the entire Pacific Northwest — nowhere else compares.
C
Captain Stuart Reeves
August 2025
Chinook Salmon
Lingcod Stacking at Cattle Point
Fished the famous Cattle Point current rip on the south end of San Juan Island and the lingcod were absolutely stacked. Dropped jigs into the rip and pulled eight keepers to 24 pounds in under two hours. The tide-driven current creates a bait conveyor belt that the lings exploit perfectly.
C
Captain Kathleen Murphy
May 2025
Lingcod
Crab and Rockfish Island Adventure
Pulled crab pots around Shaw Island and then drifted the rocky reef for copper and quillback rockfish. The crabs were loaded with keepers and the rockfish were biting on every drop. Combine the world-class scenery with the fishing and the San Juan Islands are truly one of a kind.
C
Captain Bryce Halverson
October 2025
Dungeness Crab
Copper Rockfish
Quillback Rockfish
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