Charter Fishing in Everett, Washington

Everett, Washington, is a waterfront city at the mouth of the Snohomish River on the Puget Sound, about 30 miles north of Seattle. Its location is an ideal launch point for charter fishing in the Sound. With more than 2,000 slips in port, the city of nearly 100,000 claims it is the largest seaport and marina on the West Coast. There are numerous charter operations for fisherman seeking a wide variety of fishing experiences. The Sound is best known for its salmon fishing, but lesser known is the amazing number and size of halibut that populate the Puget Sound, some growing as large as 400 pounds.

  1. Many Different Kinds of Charters

    • There are too many different charter operations, some specializing in freshwater or anadromous (spending part of their lives at sea and spawning in freshwater) fish in and around the Snohomish River while others specialize in deep-sea fishing opportunities and still others offer shellfish expeditions.

    Experience

    • Although experience might not outweigh the benefits of the most modern fishing aides like side sonar, it has been invaluable to Dave Morgison, who captains a 28-foot Glas Ply sport fisher out of the Port of Everett, where anglers typically fish in the Puget Sound for pink salmon, sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and coho salmon.

      Morgison, who has 40 years experience on the sea, heads Possession Point Fishing Charter, which offers 7-hour morning charters and 4-hour afternoon charters for up to six anglers. Most all charter captains boast many years fishing the waters of the Sound but few have been at it for four decades.

    Technology

    • AAA Fishing Charters operates a 34-foot yacht that specializes in Puget Sound salmon fishing but is loaded with all the latest gadgetry that offers opportunities for targeting more unusual species such as crab and flounder--not among the most often sought charters in the Sound. Not only outfitted with sonar, but also the boat is equipped with Internet connections and digital cameras. It offers the standard long-morning and shorter-afternoon fishing packages but will also customize charters to meet the needs of any angling outing.

    Variety of Fish

    • Although many of the charters specialize in certain species and know best where they lurk, most charters are willing to customize their excursions to the desires of whatever fish the charter anglers desire. Halibut, for example, are plentiful and best known to waters at Swiftsure Reef on the Canadian border near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, about 20 miles north of Neah Bay.

      Lingcod are prized by saltwater anglers as great sport fish. A slow-growing fish, they are protected by conservative open season and strict regulations in the Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca. The list of fish in the area is to lengthy to mention them all but common to the waters are steelhead, cutthroat trout and shad.

    Regulations

    • Licensing is required for sea fishing in Washington. The state charges different rates for different licenses and combinations of licenses for residents and nonresidents. An annual saltwater resident license is $22, nonresident licenses are $43.80 and senior licenses (ages 70-plus) are $9.60 as of 2010.

      Combination fishing and shellfish licenses cost slightly more for each group. Licenses for one-day to five-day licenses are also offered at resident rates beginning at $8.18 for one-day and $19.09 for five-days. For nonresidents, a one-day combination license costs $15.82 with graduated fees to a five-day combination license costing $37.64. Your charter captain should know the regulations for seasons of fish and catch limits but be sure to ask.