Budd Inlet Fishing
Washington marine water in Thurston County, inside Marine Area 13.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Jason Taellious, CC BY-SA 2.0
Starting out on Budd Inlet
Seasons on Budd Inlet follow the Marine Area 13 rows; the shore is Thurston County. Roughly 4 miles separates it from Olympia.
There are 1 saltwater launch serving it. Anglers can work 1 named fishing area here. The pamphlet prints 27 marine rule rows for it. There are 7 NOAA tide stations for tide tables.
WDFW recreational marine area layer (WAC 220-311-010) on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov, USGS GNIS names, WDFW and State Parks launch layers, WDFW shore fishing layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Species documented for Budd Inlet
The Budd Inlet rule rows and records name these fish.
2026-27 WDFW pamphlet marine area rows and WDFW sport fish records; retrieved October 31, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Where WDFW maps the fishing grounds of Budd Inlet
- Fish TrapBoat Access Only
WDFW Major Fishing Areas layer on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (names and access notes as published); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Putting in for Budd Inlet
- Boston Harbor on Budd Inlet1 ramp, concrete surface, Thurston County
Fallback launches for Budd Inlet
- Luhr's Landing on Nisqually ReachNisqually Reach, 9 miles east
- Oakland Bay boat launchn/a surface, Discover Pass, 12 miles northwest
- Jarrell Cove, south boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 13 miles north
- Jarrell Cove, north boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 13 miles north
- Sherwood Creek boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 19 miles north
WDFW Water Access Sites and Shore Fishing Sites layers (geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov) and the Washington State Parks boat launch layer, retrieved October 31, 2026. Parking at WDFW and State Parks launches needs a Discover Pass.
Public piers along Budd Inlet
Fishing piers a short drive from Budd Inlet
- Clyde Davidson Pier (Steilacoom)fishing pier, Marine Area 13, 15 miles
- Fox Island Fishing Pier on Carr Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 13, 18 miles
- Twanoh Park Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 12, 20 miles
WDFW piers and shore fishing layers, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Inlets that branch off Budd Inlet
- Big Tykel Covecove Thurston County
- Boston Harborharbor Thurston County
- Butler Covecove Thurston County
- East Baybay Thurston County
- Eld Inletinlet Thurston County
- Ellis Covecove Thurston County
- Entrance Channelpassage/strait Thurston County
- Frye Covecove Thurston County
- Green Covecove Thurston County
- Gull Harborharbor Thurston County
- Little Tykel Covecove Thurston County
- Outer Channelpassage/strait Thurston County
- Snyder Covecove Thurston County
- West Baybay Thurston County
- Woodard Baybay Thurston County
- Young Covecove Thurston County
- Zangle Covecove Thurston County
USGS GNIS names inside the WDFW marine area polygon; retrieved October 31, 2026.
NOAA readings around Budd Inlet
- Budd Inlet, Olympia Shoaltide predictions, under a mile
- Olympia, Budd Inlettide predictions, 3 miles
- Dofflemeyer Point, Boston Hbr., Budd Inlettide predictions, 3 miles
- Henderson Inlettide predictions, 5 miles
- Barron Point, Little Skookum Inlet Entrancetide predictions, 6 miles
- Arcadia, Totten Inlettide predictions, 7 miles
Salish Sea and coastal tides swing several feet, and the ebb sets up hard current at points and passes on Budd Inlet; read the table before you anchor.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations inside or beside the marine area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Moorage and marinas near Budd Inlet, older NOAA list
- Fiddlehead Marinamarina 360/352-0528
- Percival Landingmarina 360/753-8325
- Port Plaza/Visitor Mooragemarina 360/528-8000
- Swantown Marinamarina
Boat-access reefs around Budd Inlet
- Itsami Ledgeboat
NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index atlas records (2003 to 2006); facility and reef details reflect the source year, not today. Retrieved october 31, 2026.
Daily limits and seasons, Budd Inlet
| Species and location | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | Catch-and-release. | Year-round |
| Steelhead | Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead. | Year-round |
| Sturgeon | Catch-and-release. | Year-round |
| Mackerel | No min. size. No daily limit. | Year-round |
| Herring, Anchovy, Sardine, Sand Lance, and Smelt | No min. size. Daily limit 10 lbs., all species combined. All smelt caught must be kept and count toward the daily limit except Closed to eulachon (Columbia River smelt). For smelt: Jig gear may be used 7 days a week. Dip | Year-round |
| Pacific Halibut | CLOSED to fishing for, retaining, or possessing. | CLOSED |
| Other Food Fish | No min. size. Daily limit 2 of each species. See definition. | Year-round |
| All Other Fish | CLOSED to fishing for, retaining, or possessing. | CLOSED |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Toliva Shoal, Northern/Southern Budd Inlet, and Fox Island Public Fish | Chinook – min. size 20”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | July 1-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Toliva Shoal, Northern/Southern Budd Inlet, and Fox Island Public Fish | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | Oct. 1-June 30 |
| Salmon (Toliva Shoal) | CLOSED. | June 16-Apr. 30 |
| Salmon (Toliva Shoal) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | May 1-June 15 |
| Salmon (Northern Budd Inlet) | Chinook – min. size 20”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Night closure and anti-snagging rule. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | July 1-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Northern Budd Inlet) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Night closure and anti-snagging rule. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | Oct. 1-Oct. 31 |
| Salmon (Northern Budd Inlet) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | Nov. 1-June 30 |
| Salmon (Southern Budd Inlet) | CLOSED. | July 1-Oct. 31 |
| Salmon (Southern Budd Inlet) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two-Pole Endorsement. | Nov. 1-June 30 |
| Salmon (Fox Island Public Fishing Pier) | Chinook – min. size 20”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum. | July 1-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Fox Island Public Fishing Pier) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum. | Oct. 1-June 30 |
| Bottomfish | Year-round season. Daily limit is a total of 15 bottomfish (See definition) subject to individual limits and seasons shown below. Fishing for bottomfish prohibited in waters deeper than 120’. Descending device required o | see the pamphlet |
| Lingcod | Hook and line season. Min. size 26”. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1. | May 1-June 15 |
| Lingcod | Spearfishing season. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1. | May 21-June 15 |
| Surfperch | No min. size. Daily limit 10. Except shiner perch daily limit 15: not included in bottomfish limit. | Year-round |
| Rockfish | CLOSED to fishing for, retaining, or possessing. | CLOSED |
Showing 24 of 27 pamphlet rows for Marine Area 13.
Anglers 16 and older fishing marine water carry a Saltwater license ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license, plus a catch record card for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead or halibut.
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 132 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations marine area page), read October 31, 2026.
Sizing Budd Inlet against nearby salt water
| Water | Distance | Marine area | Launches | Piers and shore sites | Tide stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budd Inlet | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 0 | 7 | |
| Nisqually Reach | 9 miles | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Case Inlet | 14 miles | Marine Area 13 | 5 | 0 | 12 |
| Carr Inlet | 15 miles | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) | 16 miles | Marine Area 13 | 9 | 4 | 21 |
| Commencement Bay | 25 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
WDFW marine areas and access layers, NOAA stations; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Near Budd Inlet
Salt water beside Budd Inlet
- Nisqually Reach9 miles
- Case Inlet14 miles
- Carr Inlet15 miles
- South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13)16 miles
- Commencement Bay25 miles
Other water an easy drive past Budd Inlet
- Chambers Lake (Thurston County)6 miles
- Ward Lake6 miles
- Long's Pond7 miles
- Hicks Lake8 miles
- Deschutes River10 miles
- Skokomish River19 miles
- Rocky Creek20 miles
- Black River21 miles
Gear stores used by Budd Inlet anglers
- Dick's Sporting Goods Olympiasporting goods store, Olympia, 4 miles
- Cabela's Laceysporting goods store, Lacey, 6 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 22 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 22 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Puyallupsporting goods store, Puyallup, 29 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Puyallupsporting goods store, Puyallup, 30 miles
Guide services listed near Budd Inlet
- The Fly Fishercharter, Lacey, (360) 491-0181
- D & J Guided Sport Fishingfishing guide, Olympia, (206) 914-9137
Lodging towns for anglers working Budd Inlet
- Olympia4 miles
- Lacey7 miles
- Tanglewilde7 miles
- Tumwater8 miles
Budd Inlet county by county
- Thurston Countyseat: Olympia
Piscifun reels and line rigged for Budd Inlet
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Photographs of fishing water around Budd Inlet
Photo: Katie Baxter, CC BY 2.0
Photo: John Leszczynski, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: WorldIslandInfo.com, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Atomic Taco, CC BY-SA 2.0
Before you drive to Budd Inlet: common questions
How does WDFW classify Budd Inlet?
The rules for Marine Area 13 apply.
When can I keep a salmon on Budd Inlet?
Salmon on Marine Area 13: Chinook – min. size 20”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Anglers may fish with two poles with Two; July 1-Sept. 30. Watch for in-season changes.
How many lingcod may I keep at Budd Inlet?
Lingcod: Hook and line season. Min. size 26”. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1. (May 1-June 15).
Can a trailered boat reach Budd Inlet from a listed launch?
The layers list 1 launch; Boston Harbor on Budd Inlet is one.
Where is pier fishing near Budd Inlet?
The nearest listed shore site is Clyde Davidson Pier (Steilacoom), 15 miles off.
Which WDFW license and card cover a day on Budd Inlet?
Anglers 16 and older fishing marine water carry a Saltwater license ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license, plus a catch record card for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead or halibut.
Which tide station serves Budd Inlet?
Start with Budd Inlet, Olympia Shoal for tide times.
Who sells herring and jigs near Budd Inlet?
Stop at Dick's Sporting Goods Olympia, about 4 miles away.
Which named fishing areas lie in Budd Inlet?
1 named fishing area; Fish Trap is one.
Plan a saltwater day on Budd Inlet
Check emergency rules for the area before the trip.