Carr Inlet Fishing
Washington marine water in Pierce County, inside Marine Area 13.
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Carr Inlet at a glance
WDFW counts Carr Inlet as part of Marine Area 13, off Pierce County. Plan on about 2 miles to reach Fox Island, the closest town.
Trailers go in at 1 saltwater launch near it. WDFW lists 1 pier or shore site too. WDFW charts 4 named fishing areas inside it. Seasons and limits run to 27 marine rule rows. Tide timing comes from 16 NOAA tide stations.
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.
Fish tied to Carr Inlet in our sources
Fish with a rule row or record on Carr Inlet.
2026-27 WDFW pamphlet marine area rows and WDFW sport fish records; retrieved October 31, 2026.
For the cutthroat trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Named fishing grounds on Carr Inlet
- McNeil IslandBoat Access Only
- Minter CreekShoreline Access Available
- Tacoma NarrowsShoreline Access Available
- Toliva ShoalBoat Access Only
WDFW Major Fishing Areas layer on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (names and access notes as published); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Ramps boaters use for Carr Inlet
- Penrose Point, pier and floats on Carr Inletboat ramp, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
More WDFW and park launches around Carr Inlet
- Jarrell Cove, north boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 10 miles west
- Jarrell Cove, south boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 10 miles west
- Sherwood Creek boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 11 miles northwest
- Luhr's Landing on Nisqually ReachNisqually Reach, 11 miles south
- North Bay boat launchn/a surface, Discover Pass, 11 miles northwest
- Boston Harbor on Budd InletBudd Inlet, 13 miles southwest
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.
Piers that reach Carr Inlet
- Fox Island Fishing Pier on Carr Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 13
Piers and shore sites by Carr Inlet
- Clyde Davidson Pier (Steilacoom)fishing pier, Marine Area 13, 7 miles
- Point Defiance Marina Boathouse on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 9 miles
- Les Davis Pier on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 10 miles
- Old Town Dock on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 10 miles
- Allyn Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 13, 11 miles
WDFW piers and shore fishing layers, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Harbors and bays inside Carr Inlet
- Floyd Covecove Pierce County
- Hale Passagepassage/strait Pierce County
- Horsehead Baybay Pierce County
- Mayo Covecove Pierce County
- Pitt Passagepassage/strait Pierce County
- Still Harborharbor Pierce County
- Von Geldern Covecove Pierce County
- Wollochet Baybay Pierce County
USGS GNIS names inside the WDFW marine area polygon; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Tide stations for Carr Inlet
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.
- Arletta, Hale Passagetide predictions, 2 miles
- Horsehead Bay, Carr Inlettide predictions, 3 miles
- Home, Von Geldern Cove, Carr Inlettide predictions, 4 miles
- Longbranch, Filucy Baytide predictions, 4 miles
- Yoman Point, Anderson Island, Balch Passagetide predictions, 5 miles
- Tacoma Narrows Bridgetide predictions, 6 miles
Big tidal exchanges move fish and boats on Carr Inlet; slack water is the easy window for jigging bottomfish.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations inside or beside the marine area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Marinas charted near Carr Inlet
- Kopachuck State Parkmarina 360/902-8500
- Penrose Point State Parkmarina 360/902-8500
- Longbranch Dockmarina
Older reef records near Carr Inlet
- Toliva Shoalboat
- 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.
Keeping salmon and lingcod from Carr 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 |
Marine Area 13 carries 27 rows; the rest are in the pamphlet.
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.
Saltwater state records caught in Carr Inlet
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water as printed | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run | 6.00 lbs | Bud Johnson | Carr Inlet, Pierce County | May 1, 1943 |
WDFW sport fish records (freshwater and saltwater record lists, kept by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)) as listed October 31, 2026. All Washington records.
Marina towns close to Carr Inlet
- TacomaPierce County
USGS GNIS populated places and harbors named by WDFW for the area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Carr Inlet beside other Washington marine water
| Water | Distance | Marine area | Launches | Piers and shore sites | Tide stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carr Inlet | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 16 | |
| South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) | 4 miles | Marine Area 13 | 9 | 4 | 21 |
| Case Inlet | 7 miles | Marine Area 13 | 5 | 0 | 12 |
| Nisqually Reach | 8 miles | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Commencement Bay | 11 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Colvos Passage | 14 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
WDFW marine areas and access layers, NOAA stations; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Next to Carr Inlet
Next marine pages from Carr Inlet
- South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13)4 miles
- Case Inlet7 miles
- Nisqually Reach8 miles
- Commencement Bay11 miles
- Colvos Passage14 miles
Inland options close to Carr Inlet
- Bay Lake3 miles
- Jackson Lake5 miles
- Florence Lake6 miles
- Waughop Lake8 miles
- Rocky Creek10 miles
- Union River16 miles
- Puyallup River18 miles
- Tahuya River22 miles
Tackle counters within a quick drive of Carr Inlet
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 11 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 12 miles
- Cabela's Laceysporting goods store, Lacey, 14 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Federal Waysporting goods store, Federal Way, 17 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Olympiasporting goods store, Olympia, 19 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Puyallupsporting goods store, Puyallup, 20 miles
Who runs guided trips on Carr Inlet
- Mount Rainier Flyreel Workscharter, Buckley, (360) 829-3691
- Wild Rivers Guided Fishing Tripscharter, Orting, (253) 222-6886
Washington towns with beds close by Carr Inlet
- Fox Island2 miles
- Artondale4 miles
- Longbranch4 miles
- Home5 miles
The counties around Carr Inlet
- Pierce Countyseat: Tacoma
A Piscifun spinning setup worth packing for Carr Inlet
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How to tell one Carr Inlet fish from another, by photo
Photo: Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: Ed Bierman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Quick replies about fishing Carr Inlet
Which rule area covers Carr Inlet?
It falls under Marine Area 13.
How many salmon may I keep from Carr Inlet?
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) under Marine Area 13; emergency rules override.
When is lingcod season on Carr Inlet?
Pamphlet lingcod row: Hook and line season. Min. size 26”. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1. (May 1-June 15).
Where do salmon boats put in for Carr Inlet?
1 launch appear in the access layers, including Penrose Point, pier and floats on Carr Inlet.
Can I fish Carr Inlet from shore?
1 pier or shore site on the WDFW layer, Fox Island Fishing Pier on Carr Inlet among them.
Does Carr Inlet take a Saltwater or Combination license?
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.
How big are the tides on Carr Inlet?
Arletta, Hale Passage is the closest prediction station in our list.
Which store do Carr Inlet regulars use for herring and leader?
Dick's Sporting Goods Tacoma, about 11 miles away leads our list here.
Where do anglers fish on Carr Inlet?
The WDFW layer marks 4 named fishing areas, McNeil Island, Minter Creek and Tacoma Narrows among them.
Which WDFW state record fish was landed at Carr Inlet?
Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run, 6.00 lbs, by Bud Johnson (May 1, 1943).
Book a morning on Carr Inlet
Marine seasons, limits and fees live on one page.