Salmon Fishing in Grays Harbor County, Washington

Perched on the Pacific Coast, Grays Harbor County provides a lot of options for anglers, ranging from deep-sea fishing to casting into quiet mountain lakes. If salmon are your quarry, Grays Harbor and the rivers that feed it are your best bets. Several species of salmon enter the harbor from the Pacific every year, making their way upstream and providing fishermen with a chance to tangle with fish weighing 50 pounds or more.

  1. Salmon In the Harbor

    • Grays Harbor is a large ocean bay that provides a link between salmon's summer saltwater habitat and the rivers where they spawn in winter. The mouth of the bay is bordered by Westport to the south and Ocean Shores to the north, and these two communities see the first salmon arrive in September. Both areas have fishing jetties that extend into the ocean from the mouth of the bay, and anglers can catch chinook and coho salmon here as they make their way into the harbor. The fishing in Grays Harbor is productive through October. Additional shore fishing access is available at Westhaven State Park and Morrison Riverfront Park, and the 28th Street landing in Aberdeen is a frequently used spot to put boats in the water.

    Rivers of Grays Harbor County

    • The Chehalis River is the second-largest salmon spawning system in Washington, with the waters of 1,400 rivers and streams making their way down through it to get to Grays Harbor. Salmon head the opposite way, pushing their way upstream in October, entering smaller tributaries like the Satsop River, Wynoochee River and Cloquallum Creek in the following months. Chinook and coho salmon usually show up first, followed by chum salmon and a winter run of steelhead. Part of the reason salmon fishing is so good in these rivers is that access is limited, but you can reach the Chehalis River at a few spots, including the community of Oakville and where the river empties into Grays Harbor.

    Fishing Tips and Tactics

    • When salmon are in the open waters of Grays Harbor, the most efficient way to catch them is by trolling. Trolling rigs usually involve a heavy rod spooled with 20-pound line. At the end of the line, a three-way swivel connects a leader with the bait or lure at the end, as well as a second leader with a sinker. You can also catch salmon from the north and south jetties as they enter Grays Harbor by casting a variety of lures, including spinners, spoons and salmon plugs. Live bait rigs with herring and other bait fish can also be effective. For chinook salmon, it's important to keep your bait near the bottom, but coho salmon often strike near the surface. Some anglers use a bait suspended below a bobber to catch these fish. These strategies can also be effective for river fishing, as can using marabou jigs and flues.

    Know Before You Go

    • A current Washington fishing license is required to fish for salmon. You can get your license online through the Washington Department of Fish and wildlife, or in person at bait shops and sporting goods stores all over the state. License retailers in Grays Harbor County include Big 5 Sporting Goods in Aberdeen, Ocean Sportfishing in Westport and Sunrise Market in Ocean City. Salmon fishing limits, regulations and season dates vary from year to year due to a variety of factors, and current information is available on the Department of Fish and Wildlife website.