About Skagit Bay, WA

The Skagit Bay is a bay and strait, designated as part of the Marine Area 8-1, along with Deception Pass and Hope Island. The bay empties into the Skagit River, which runs along the length of 150 miles from British Columbia and ends at northwestern Washington. Surrounding the bay are the Whidbey, Fidalgo, and Camano islands, filled with nature-preserved state parks, and Mount Vernon is on its northeastern side. 

Both the Skagit bay and river have been inhabited by indigenous groups for thousands of years. The origins of the name Skagit itself, was what European and American settlers at the time called the native people. Skagit is a major body of water that has sustained the lives of its native inhabitants and its migrants for hundreds of years.

All About Fishing In Skagit Bay, WA

As a bay that empties into the Skagit River, which is known for various salmon species, the selection for recreational fishing is also diverse. One of the top species to catch is the chum salmon. This type of salmon matures in the sea and is known to migrate back into freshwaters in order to spawn. It is recommended for anglers to fly fish these salmon, specifically with a 7-9 weight fly rod and a mainline of around 20 to 25 lbs, combined with a 15 to 25lb monofilament leader. It’s best to use chartreuse-colored lures and to use prawns as bait.

Other fish to look out for include, green sturgeon and trout (both white weakfish and white croaker), which are only available for catch and release, as well as herring, anchovy, and sardine, which have no size limit but are limited to a combined 10lbs daily. Again a 7-9 long rod will do the trick, you’ll be needing that leverage as the sturgeon can be heavy and will fight back. A 200-yard line that can hold against fish weighing 80 pounds is recommended as well as using a hook size of about 5/0 to 9/0. 

Also found in Skagit Bay are the steelhead, which are also great for fly fishing. Though one of the most common fish species in America, they can be a challenge to catch. Spey and switch rods using number 6- number 8 flies will help you get the job done.

For bottom fishing, only the surfperch and the cabezon are in open season. Surfperch in general are quite easy to fly fish. A 7 to 8-foot rod with a #4 to #2 hooks will do the trick. For baits, it is recommended to use marine worms, shrimp, or mussels, while luring them with bloodworm lure, crabs, and shrimp. Cabezons are also quite popular and can be found all year round.  Anglers should be careful however as their roe (eggs) are harmful to humans. The cabezon can be caught using hook and line, rod and reel, and even through pole spearing.

Fishing Seasonality

For salmon fishing, it’s best to go around August to September 19, when they aren’t closed. Trout, steelhead, sturgeon, and mackerel are in season all year round but remember to take note of the restrictions. Trout and sturgeon are only available for catch and release while the steelhead has a daily limit of two per day. Mackerel have no size and weight restrictions. Bottomfish like surfperch can be done all year-round but peak from December to April with a daily catching limit of 10. On the other hand, cabezon are in season from May 1 to November 30 limited to only 1 catch per day.

Fishing Seasonality

For salmon fishing, it’s best to go around August to September 19, when they aren’t closed. Trout, steelhead, sturgeon, and mackerel are in season all year round but remember to take note of the restrictions. Trout and sturgeon are only available for catch and release while the steelhead has a daily limit of two per day. Mackerel have no size and weight restrictions. Bottomfish like surfperch can be done all year-round but peak from December to April with a daily catching limit of 10. On the other hand, cabezon are in season from May 1 to November 30 limited to only 1 catch per day.

All About Fishing In Skagit Bay, WA

As a bay that empties into the Skagit River, which is known for various salmon species, the selection for recreational fishing is also diverse. One of the top species to catch is the chum salmon. This type of salmon matures in the sea and is known to migrate back into freshwaters in order to spawn. It is recommended for anglers to fly fish these salmon, specifically with a 7-9 weight fly rod and a mainline of around 20 to 25 lbs, combined with a 15 to 25lb monofilament leader. It’s best to use chartreuse-colored lures and to use prawns as bait.

Other fish to look out for include, green sturgeon and trout (both white weakfish and white croaker), which are only available for catch and release, as well as herring, anchovy, and sardine, which have no size limit but are limited to a combined 10lbs daily. Again a 7-9 long rod will do the trick, you’ll be needing that leverage as the sturgeon can be heavy and will fight back. A 200-yard line that can hold against fish weighing 80 pounds is recommended as well as using a hook size of about 5/0 to 9/0. 

Also found in Skagit Bay are the steelhead, which are also great for fly fishing. Though one of the most common fish species in America, they can be a challenge to catch. Spey and switch rods using number 6- number 8 flies will help you get the job done.

For bottom fishing, only the surfperch and the cabezon are in open season. Surfperch in general are quite easy to fly fish. A 7 to 8-foot rod with a #4 to #2 hooks will do the trick. For baits, it is recommended to use marine worms, shrimp, or mussels, while luring them with bloodworm lure, crabs, and shrimp. Cabezons are also quite popular and can be found all year round.  Anglers should be careful however as their roe (eggs) are harmful to humans. The cabezon can be caught using hook and line, rod and reel, and even through pole spearing.