Fishing in Everett, Washington

With 50 miles of shoreline and the second-largest marina on the West Coast, Everett is a popular fishing destination, according to the city's website. Everett is located in Marine Area 8-2, as defined by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which features year-round trout, sturgeon, tuna and surf perch fishing as well as limited seasons for salmon, halibut, ling cod and rockfish. Crab fishing is also popular in Everett's coastal waters of Puget Sound.

  1. Licensing

    • Fishing licenses are required for anglers 15 and older.

      All recreational anglers 15 years of age or older are required to hold a current fishing license issued by WDFW. Exceptions to the license requirement are those fishing for common carp, bullfrogs, smelt or crawfish. If fishing for shellfish, including sea cucumbers, a shellfish license is required and a catch record card (CRC) must be completed by anyone keeping halibut, salmon, sturgeon, steelhead or Dungeness crab. All children, regardless of age, must complete a CRC and have it endorsed if Dungeness crabs are kept.

    Salmon Fishing

    • Salmon are often found near Everett.

      When many people think of fishing in the greater Seattle area, salmon is the first fish that comes to mind. Locals have favorite places to fish for salmon and the area of Puget Sound near Everett is one of them. Chinook are most easily caught early in the morning or late in the evening when they cruise close to shore between 20 and 120 feet below the surface of the water, according to WDFW. Blackmouth are small Chinook salmon usually found within 10 feet of the bottom and are often smaller than the 22-inch minimum required in the Everett area. Coho and pink are two other species commonly found in the area.

    Boat Fishing Methods

    • Trolling or drifting are fishing methods used.

      When fishing by boat in Puget Sound, most anglers find trolling or drift fishing the most effective methods, especially for catching salmon. Trolling involves keeping the boat moving steadily but slowly and weights are used to keep lures in the water. According to WDFW, trolling with a downrigger, or weighted cable, is the most popular saltwater fishing method for salmon in Washington. Drift fishing is allowing the boat to float slowly without a motor and is used when salmon are concentrated in one area.

    Crab Fishing

    • Catch a crab for dinner in Puget Sound.

      Marine Area 8-2 near Everett is an ideal location for dropping pots to catch Dungeness and Red Rock crabs during open season. Current restrictions limit anglers to five male Dungeness crabs at a minimum size of 6.25 inches and six male or female Red Rock crab at a minimum size of five inches. A catch record card is required for Dungeness catches and softshell crabs of either species must be released.

    Marine Protected Areas

    • Anglers heading northwest from the Everett Marina should be aware of two areas designated for protection. Admiralty Head is a marine preserve located on the west shore of Whidbey Island where recreational fishing and harvesting are prohibited, according to WDFW. Keystone Conservation Area is also located near the shores of Whidbey Island is fully protected and closed to all recreational and commercial fishing.