Colvos Passage Fishing
Washington marine water in King and Kitsap counties, inside Marine Area 11.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Colvos Passage: Rick Obst, CC BY 2.0
First look at Colvos Passage
The USGS gazetteer places Colvos Passage in King and Kitsap counties, within Marine Area 11. Vashon, some 3 miles away, is the nearest town.
There are 2 piers and shore sites on the WDFW piers and shore layer. There are 3 named fishing areas in its lines. Its rules fill 28 marine rule rows. Tide charts draw on 7 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.
Salmon, bottomfish and others on Colvos Passage
Each chip appears in the pamphlet rows or records for Colvos Passage.
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 Fishing areas charted for Colvos Passage
- Des MoinesBoat Access Only
- Point DefianceBoat Access Only
- South Maury IslandBoat Access Only
WDFW Major Fishing Areas layer on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (names and access notes as published); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Launching for Colvos Passage
The WDFW and State Parks layers list no launch inside Colvos Passage; port and city ramps nearby are not in those layers.
Concrete and gravel ramps by Colvos Passage
- Ross Point boat launch on Sinclair InletSinclair Inlet, 10 miles northwest
- North Bay boat launchn/a surface, Discover Pass, 14 miles west
- Sherwood Creek boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 15 miles west
- Jarrell Cove, north boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 20 miles southwest
- Jarrell Cove, south boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 20 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.
Shore access to Colvos Passage
- Tramp Harbor Pier on Colvos Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Dockton Park Pier on Colvos Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 11
Walk-in fishing close to Colvos Passage
- Point Defiance Marina Boathouse on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 8 miles
- Blake Island State Park Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 8 miles
- Dash Point Park Pier on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 9 miles
- Manchester Boat Dock on Sinclair Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 9 miles
- Des Moines Marina Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 9 miles
WDFW piers and shore fishing layers, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Bays, inlets and harbors of Colvos Passage
- Christensen Covecove King County
- Olalla Baybay Kitsap County
- Paradise Covecove King County
USGS GNIS names inside the WDFW marine area polygon; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Tide predictions for Colvos Passage
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.
- Burton, Quartermaster Hbr. (Inside), Vashon I.tide predictions, 3 miles
- Wauna, Carr Inlettide predictions, 6 miles
- Tahlequah, Neil Pt., Dalco Passage, Vashon I.tide predictions, 6 miles
- Point Vashon, Vashon Islandtide predictions, 7 miles
- Gig Harbortide predictions, 7 miles
- Harper, Yukon Harbortide predictions, 7 miles
Salmon often feed on the change of tide around Colvos Passage; the stations above give the timing.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations inside or beside the marine area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
NOAA-mapped marinas by Colvos Passage
- Quartermaster Marinamarina 206/463-3624
- Dockton Parkmarina 206/296-8687
Reefs within a run of Colvos Passage
- Blake Islandboat
- Point Heyerboat
NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index atlas records (2003 to 2006); facility and reef details reflect the source year, not today. Retrieved october 31, 2026.
Salmon, rockfish and lingcod rules for Colvos Passage
| 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 exception for Commencement Bay and piers below)) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum and wild Chinook. | June 1-June 30 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exception for Commencement Bay and piers below)) | CLOSED. | July 1-July 22 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exception for Commencement Bay and piers below)) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum and wild Chinook. | July 23-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exception for Commencement Bay and piers below)) | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook. | Oct. 1-Nov. 15 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exception for Commencement Bay and piers below)) | CLOSED. | Nov. 16-Mar. 30 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exception for Commencement Bay and piers below)) | Open Wed.-Sat. only. Closed Sun-Tues. Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum and wild Chinook. | Mar. 31-Apr. 30 |
| Salmon (Commencement Bay) | CLOSED. | June 1-July 31 |
| Salmon (Commencement Bay) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum and wild Chinook. Chinook retention may close earlier if quota is attained. | Aug. 1-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Commencement Bay) | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook. | Oct. 1-Oct. 31 |
| Salmon (Commencement Bay) | CLOSED. | Nov. 1-Apr. 30 |
| Salmon (Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, Point Defiance Boathouse Dock, and Redondo Pier) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum. | May. 1-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, Point Defiance Boathouse Dock, and Redondo Pier) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. | Oct. 1-Apr. 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 |
28 rows cover Marine Area 11; the table stops at 24.
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 128 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations marine area page), read October 31, 2026.
Port towns a run from Colvos Passage
- BremertonKitsap County, 1 launch within 5 km
USGS GNIS populated places and harbors named by WDFW for the area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Marine pages near Colvos Passage, measured
| Water | Distance | Marine area | Launches | Piers and shore sites | Tide stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colvos Passage | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 2 | 7 | |
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | 8 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
| Sinclair Inlet | 10 miles | Marine Area 10 | 2 | 10 | 8 |
| Commencement Bay | 10 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Carr Inlet | 14 miles | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| Elliott Bay | 14 miles | Marine Area 10 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
WDFW marine areas and access layers, NOAA stations; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Not far from Colvos Passage
Other marine water near Colvos Passage
- Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11)8 miles
- Sinclair Inlet10 miles
- Commencement Bay10 miles
- Carr Inlet14 miles
- Elliott Bay14 miles
Fresh water and towns behind Colvos Passage
- Crescent Lake (Pierce County)3 miles
- Long Lake (Kitsap County)5 miles
- Horseshoe Lake (Kitsap County)7 miles
- Angle Lake11 miles
- Rocky Creek13 miles
- Duwamish River13 miles
- Union River15 miles
- Tahuya River18 miles
Shops to stop at before Colvos Passage
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwilasporting goods store, Tukwila, 12 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Federal Waysporting goods store, Federal Way, 13 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 15 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 17 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Silverdalesporting goods store, Silverdale, 17 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Silverdalesporting goods store, Silverdale, 18 miles
Hiring a guide on Colvos Passage
- Adventure Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 789-8245
- Digital Anglerscharter, Redmond, (206) 819-7010
- Emerald Water Anglerscharter, Seattle, (206) 708-7250
- Fish Finders Private Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 632-2611
- Screaminreels Guide Servicecharter, Duvall, (206) 849-2574
- Tight Lines Sports Fishingcharter, Des Moines, (206) 715-0879
- cut plug charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 920-9482
Cities and towns within reach of Colvos Passage
- Vashon3 miles
- Maplewood4 miles
- Purdy4 miles
- Canterwood5 miles
County pages covering Colvos Passage
- King Countyseat: Seattle
- Kitsap Countyseat: Port Orchard
Piscifun tackle sorted for the drive to Colvos Passage
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Lakes, rivers and sound close to Colvos Passage, pictured
Photo: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Clearing up a trip to Colvos Passage
Which pamphlet section covers Colvos Passage?
WDFW files it under Marine Area 11.
Is salmon fishing open on Colvos Passage?
Marine Area 11 salmon: Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum and wild Chinook. (June 1-June 30); check emergency rules.
What is the lingcod rule on Colvos Passage?
The lingcod line reads Hook and line season. Min. size 26”. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1. (May 1-June 15).
How many launches serve Colvos Passage?
Nearest in the layers: Ross Point boat launch on Sinclair Inlet, 10 miles.
Which piers reach Colvos Passage?
There are 2 piers and shore sites, such as Tramp Harbor Pier on Colvos Passage.
Which WDFW license covers Colvos Passage?
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 do I time the tide on Colvos Passage?
Use Burton, Quartermaster Hbr. (Inside), Vashon I.; links are in the tide band.
Which Washington tackle counter on our list is handy to Colvos Passage?
Closest on our list: Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwila, about 12 miles away.
Where should I start on Colvos Passage?
3 named fishing areas on the WDFW map, including Des Moines, Point Defiance and South Maury Island.
Put Colvos Passage on the salmon calendar
Buy the WDFW Saltwater or Combination license online first.