Hello there, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Puget Sound as of February 15, 2025.
First off, let's talk about the conditions. Today, the sunrise is at about 7:23 AM, and sunset will be around 4:57 PM, giving us a decent amount of daylight to get out on the water. The weather is looking typical for the Pacific Northwest – overcast with a light drizzle, temperatures in the mid-40s to low 50s. Not ideal, but certainly fishable.
Now, let's dive into the tidal report. For today, the high tides are at 3:26 AM with a level of 11.1 feet and again at 12:21 PM with a level of 10.6 feet. The low tides are at 8:10 AM with a level of 8.7 feet and again at 7:53 PM with a level of -1.0 feet. These tidal changes should provide some good windows for fishing, especially during the early morning and late evening hours.
The fish activity in Puget Sound has been quite promising lately. For those after winter steelhead, the Olympic Peninsula rivers like the Bogachiel and Calawah are still producing some hatchery fish, along with a few wild steelhead starting to show up in decent numbers. Historically, February and March are the peak months for wild steelhead returns, so we can expect the fishing to improve in the coming weeks. Use a variety of sink tips and flies to adapt to the changing water conditions. Streamers or a double nymph rig under an indicator work well in the mornings, while dry fly fishing in the afternoons can be very productive. Flies like parachute Adams, Griffiths Gnat, WD-40, and Zebra Midge are good choices.
In the South Puget Sound, sea-run cutthroat trout fishing has been improving daily. These fish are active, especially during the early morning outgoing tides. You can expect to find them feeding on chum fry and other small crustaceans close to the shore. Use slow retrieves with krill and euphasid patterns. A floating krill pattern like the White Gartside Gurgler can be very effective. Baitfish patterns such as the Foul Free Herring or Mini Deceiver are also worth having in your fly box.
For salmon enthusiasts, Chinook salmon fishing is always a highlight in Puget Sound. While the peak season is usually in the summer, there are still opportunities to catch them, especially when using the right lures. Recent reports from South Puget Sound indicate that anglers have been catching salmon, particularly around areas like Point Gibson and the Nisqually River mouth. Lures like the Gold Star Yamashita #35 Octopus Squid, Grand Slam Bucktails, and Silver Horde Kingfisher Spoons are proven winners in these waters. The Puget Pounder metal jig is another excellent choice, especially for pier fishing.
If you're looking for some hot spots, consider the southern portion of Puget Sound for sea-run cutthroat. Public piers such as Edmonds Fishing Pier and Les Davis Pier near Tacoma are excellent spots for squid jigging and can also yield some salmon catches. For steelhead, the Olympic Peninsula rivers are your best bet.
So, gear up and get out there – the fish are waiting, and the conditions are ripe for a great day of fishing in Puget Sound. Tight lines, everyone
