Salmon Fishing at Rocky Point, Washington

Salmon

There are five basic varieties of salmon, however, each seems to have more than one name. Chinook are also referred to as king, and coho are sometimes called silver. Chum are also dog, pink are humpy and sockeye are red. In most cases, wild chinook and coho must be returned to the waters. You can tell the difference because hatchery versions will have a clipped adipose fin and a scar that has healed where the clip is. Salmon make their way inland during certain times of the year to get to their spawning grounds. Chinook and and sockeye spawn farther inland, and therefore make their way upstream earlier in the spring. Chum, pink and coho stay closer to the shore, so they don't start toward the streams and rivers until later in the summer. In the case of pinks, this only happens every other year.

Regulations

There are many fishing regulations to follow in Washington, and they are all listed in the state's fishing guide. Some of the basics include requiring a fishing license for both salt- and freshwater fishing. If you are fishing for salmon, you must maintain a catch record card that is turned in every April. You may fish for salmon only in bodies of water designated for salmon fishing. There are typically stipulations to salmon fishing, such as releasing wild chinook and coho, and limits to how many you can keep depending on the time of year.

Location

Washington has 13 zones for the waters along the western coast. Off the shores of Rocky Point, you will be in Zone 10 of the coastal waters. In this area, salmon are catch-and-release only during June. Most other times, the limit is two per day, and during July through September, you may also retain two extra pink salmon beyond the limit. You can fish to the east on Phinney Bay or to the west on Ostrich Bay. These waters will connect you to Puget Sound. There is also a lake nearby called Kitsap Lake that is 238 acres and 156 feet deep. There are boat launches on the southeast and southwest edges of the lake.