TLDR;
This podcast episode by Anglers Unlimited discusses the upcoming pink salmon season in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. They provide details on the July 11 Salmon School, current fishing conditions, pink salmon biology, identification, regulations, run estimates, and tips on how to catch and cook pink salmon. They also announce a pink salmon photo contest and preview next week's episode on the Bonneville Hatchery.
- Salmon School on July 11
- Pink salmon run estimated at 7.6 million
- Pink salmon photo contest
Back from Mt. Shasta & episode intro [0:00]
The hosts welcome listeners back to the podcast after returning from summiting Mount Shasta. They mention previous non-fishing related podcasts, such as the John Muir Trail and the Great Loop trip, and ask listeners if they would be interested in hearing about their Mount Shasta climbing experience. They also announce an upcoming salmon school on July 11, which will cover classroom instruction, gear, sonar, and charter booking opportunities.
July 11 Salmon School details [2:10]
The hosts provide details about their upcoming salmon school scheduled for July 11th. The school will include classroom instruction, gear demonstrations, and a presentation by Sonar Steve on how to use sonar to find fish. Attendees will also have the opportunity to book discounted charter trips to practice their fishing skills. The course is designed for beginners but will also cover targeting pink salmon. Interested individuals can email [email protected] with the subject line "Salmon School" for ticket information.
Current fishing conditions (halibut, dogfish, crab) [4:45]
The hosts discuss current fishing conditions, noting that halibut season closed yesterday and dogfish have moved in. Lingcod season is also closed. They are gearing up for crab season. Salmon fishing has opened in the oceans, with positive reports from Canada and Neah Bay. Area 7 will open for kings from July 17-19, allowing two additional pinks to be kept. Area 6 is currently open for pinks, and kings can be fished west of Ediz Hook.
Pink salmon seasons & regulations [5:55]
The discussion focuses on pink salmon, addressing listener inquiries about where and how to target them. Pink salmon are currently open for fishing and are relatively close to home waters. The hosts will cover their biology, life cycle, and where to target them.
Pink salmon lifecycle & biology [6:50]
The hosts explain the pink salmon life cycle. There are five species of salmon in the Pacific Northwest: king, chum, coho, pink, and sockeye. Pink salmon runs occur every odd year. They are smaller, averaging 3-5 pounds and 20-25 inches in length. They spawn quickly in rivers and return to spawn after two years in the ocean. Most pink salmon runs are wild, with only one hatchery raising a small number. Pink salmon are also known as "humpies" due to the hump that develops on their backs as they migrate to spawn. They have the shortest lifespan of all Pacific salmon, feeding primarily on small fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and squid.
How to ID pink salmon [8:45]
The hosts describe how to identify pink salmon, noting that the easiest way to identify a pink salmon is by looking at the tail. The spots on the tail appear out of focus and are larger than those on a king salmon. Pink salmon have a blackish mouth and tongue, and their scales are tiny and easily flake off. The salmon identification card in the WDFW booklet is a helpful resource. King salmon have tiny, focused spots on their tails, while pink salmon have larger, out-of-focus spots.
Regulation clarification & app tips [10:00]
The hosts clarify salmon fishing regulations, noting that the WDFW booklet was supposed to be published today, but the website still shows outdated information. The correct dates for Area 7 king salmon fishing are July 17-19. The WDFW app is only as up-to-date as the published booklet. For the most current information, refer to the proposed salmon fisheries on the WDFW website. The list of agreed fisheries for 2025-2026 will be available after North of Falcon completes in April.
Pink salmon run estimates & where they’re going [11:30]
The hosts discuss the estimated 7.6 million pink salmon returning this year and where to fish for them. They use SalmonScape to show the documented presence of pink salmon in various rivers. The largest runs are expected in Hood Canal (2.5 million), the Nqually River near Olympia (1.5 million), and the Puyallup and Green River in the Tacoma area (1.8 million). In the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands, 468,000 pink salmon are expected to return to the Skagit River. Most fish will pass through Deception Pass and swim down, making areas like Alispit and Dugualla Bay good fishing spots.
SalmonScape & river returns [13:30]
The hosts continue discussing pink salmon run sizes and distribution using SalmonScape, emphasizing that the numbers are based on WDFW estimates. They highlight the Skagit River, Stillaguamish River, and Snohomish River as key areas for pink salmon returns in the Puget Sound region. They mention that the fish typically pass through Deception Pass, making it a good spot to target them.
How to catch pink salmon (gear, tactics, fun for kids!) [14:40]
The hosts provide tips on how to catch pink salmon, noting that they will hit almost anything. Anglers can use buzz bombs or pink rotators. Smaller gear, such as a light trout rod with 10-12 pound test, can make it more fun, especially for kids. Pink buzz bombs are effective lures. Pink salmon fishing is a great activity for kids and new anglers because it is action-packed and provides a high chance of success.
Where to fish in Areas 6 & 7 [17:10]
The hosts recommend specific fishing locations in Areas 6 and 7. In Area 7, Eagle Point and the area between Salmon Bank and Eagle Point are good spots. Other locations include Deception Pass, Alispit, Dugualla Bay, and West Beach. Reef Point is also popular, especially during the king opener on July 17. In Area 6, Eastern Bank, Possession, and Partridge are recommended. Smith Island is also a viable option, and West Beach is expected to be productive due to fish returning to the Skagit River.
Best cooking & processing tips [18:00]
The hosts share tips on how to cook and process pink salmon. They recommend cleaning the fish on the boat, gutting them, bleeding them, and putting them on ice quickly. Fresh pink salmon are great on the grill, but they do not freeze as well as other salmon species. Smoking pink salmon is a good way to use leftover fillets. Grilling with a bit of smoke, especially on a Big Green Egg, enhances the flavor.
Pink salmon photo contest 🎉 [19:45]
The hosts announce a pink salmon photo contest. They are looking for the first picture of a pink salmon tail with the correct spots. The winner will receive a small prize. Photos should be sent to [email protected]. They also encourage listeners to send in their favorite fishing pictures.
Sneak peek at next week’s episode (Bonneville Hatchery) [20:30]
The hosts preview next week's episode, which will cover their experience visiting the Bonneville Dam hatchery.