Commencement Bay Fishing
Washington marine water in Pierce and King counties, inside Marine Area 11.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Atomic Taco, CC BY-SA 2.0
Commencement Bay in figures
Commencement Bay, a named water of Pierce and King counties, falls under the Marine Area 11 rules. From the mapped point, Browns Point lies about 1 mile away.
Anglers without a boat have 5 piers and shore sites. The WDFW fishing area layer marks 6 named fishing areas. Read its 28 marine rule rows before keeping fish. NOAA tide predictions cover 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.
Fish anglers target on Commencement Bay
Fish the rules and records tie to Commencement Bay; many more species live there.
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 Major fishing areas in Commencement Bay
- Browns PointShoreline Access Available
- Browns to Dash PointBoat Access Only
- Dash PointShoreline Access Available
- Point DefianceBoat Access Only
- South Maury IslandBoat Access Only
- Tacoma NarrowsShoreline Access Available
WDFW Major Fishing Areas layer on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (names and access notes as published); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Ramps that open onto Commencement Bay
No ramp on Commencement Bay appears in the access layers, so boats run in from launches nearby.
Other ramps near Commencement Bay
- Luhr's Landing on Nisqually ReachNisqually Reach, 18 miles southwest
- North Bay boat launchn/a surface, Discover Pass, 19 miles northwest
- Sherwood Creek boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, 19 miles west
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.
Walk-out fishing on Commencement Bay
- Dash Point Park Pier on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Point Defiance Marina Boathouse on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Les Davis Pier on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Old Town Dock on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Dockton Park Pier on Colvos Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 11
Shore access within reach of Commencement Bay
- Redondo Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 7 miles
- Fox Island Fishing Pier on Carr Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 13, 8 miles
- Tramp Harbor Pier on Colvos Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 11, 9 miles
- Des Moines Marina Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 11, 10 miles
- Clyde Davidson Pier (Steilacoom)fishing pier, Marine Area 13, 11 miles
WDFW piers and shore fishing layers, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Named coves around Commencement Bay
- Blair Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- City Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Hylebos Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Lower Turning Basinother named water Pierce County
- Middle Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Milwaukee Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Puyallup Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Saint Paul Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Sitcum Waterwayother named water Pierce County
- Thea Foss Waterwayother named water Pierce County
USGS GNIS names inside the WDFW marine area polygon; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Tides and water level at Commencement Bay
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.
- Tacoma, Commencement Bay, Sitcum Waterwaytide predictions, 2 miles
- Tahlequah, Neil Pt., Dalco Passage, Vashon I.tide predictions, 4 miles
- Tacoma Narrows Bridgetide predictions, 5 miles
- Burton, Quartermaster Hbr. (Inside), Vashon I.tide predictions, 8 miles
- Gig Harbortide predictions, 8 miles
- Arletta, Hale Passagetide predictions, 10 miles
Tide height on Commencement Bay decides which launches and beaches work; check before you go.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations inside or beside the marine area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Marinas around Commencement Bay (NOAA ESI record)
- Totem Marina Moorage Assoc.marina 253/272-4404
- Ole & Charlie's Marinamarina 253/272-1173
- Chinook Landing Marinamarina 253/845-9225
- Point Defiance Boathousemarina 253/305-1077
- Tyee Marinamarina 253/838-2280
Structure placed near Commencement Bay
- Point Heyerboat
- Toliva Shoalboat
NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index atlas records (2003 to 2006); facility and reef details reflect the source year, not today. Retrieved october 31, 2026.
Washington saltwater rules on Commencement Bay
| 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 |
Only 24 of the 28 rows for Marine Area 11 fit.
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.
Where boats tie up for Commencement Bay
- TacomaPierce County
USGS GNIS populated places and harbors named by WDFW for the area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Commencement Bay against the closest bays and areas
| Water | Distance | Marine area | Launches | Piers and shore sites | Tide stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commencement Bay | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 5 | 7 | |
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | 7 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
| South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) | 9 miles | Marine Area 13 | 9 | 4 | 21 |
| Colvos Passage | 10 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Carr Inlet | 11 miles | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| Nisqually Reach | 17 miles | Marine Area 13 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
WDFW marine areas and access layers, NOAA stations; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Around the Commencement Bay area
More bays and areas past Commencement Bay
- Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11)7 miles
- South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13)9 miles
- Colvos Passage10 miles
- Carr Inlet11 miles
- Nisqually Reach17 miles
Where else to fish around Commencement Bay
- Wapato Lake (Pierce County)6 miles
- Lake Killarney7 miles
- Steele Lake7 miles
- North Lake8 miles
- Puyallup River8 miles
- White River (Pierce County)13 miles
- Duwamish River16 miles
- Rocky Creek17 miles
Where to buy worms, eggs and jigs for Commencement Bay
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 5 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Federal Waysporting goods store, Federal Way, 6 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma, 7 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Puyallupsporting goods store, Puyallup, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Puyallupsporting goods store, Puyallup, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwilasporting goods store, Tukwila, 14 miles
Guide boats working Commencement Bay
- 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
- Mount Rainier Flyreel Workscharter, Buckley, (360) 829-3691
- Screaminreels Guide Servicecharter, Duvall, (206) 849-2574
- Tight Lines Sports Fishingcharter, Des Moines, (206) 715-0879
- Wild Rivers Guided Fishing Tripscharter, Orting, (253) 222-6886
Washington towns handy to Commencement Bay
- Browns Point1 mile
- Tacoma2 miles
- Ruston3 miles
- Fircrest5 miles
Counties that hold part of Commencement Bay
- Pierce Countyseat: Tacoma
- King Countyseat: Seattle
What Piscifun sells for a morning at Commencement Bay
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Fish worth recognising before a day at Commencement Bay
Photo: Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain
Photo: Ed Bierman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Steve Lonhart (SIMoN / MBNMS), Public domain
Commencement Bay, asked and answered for Evergreen State anglers
Which marine area is Commencement Bay?
Use the rows for Marine Area 11.
What is the salmon limit on Commencement Bay?
Pamphlet salmon row, Marine Area 11: 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.
Is bottomfish open on Commencement Bay?
WDFW prints Hook and line season. Min. size 26”. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1. for lingcod, May 1-June 15.
Which listed saltwater ramp sits closest to Commencement Bay?
Run in from Luhr's Landing on Nisqually Reach, about 18 miles away.
Is there bank access on Commencement Bay?
WDFW maps 5 piers and shore sites; Dash Point Park Pier on Commencement Bay is one.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Commencement Bay?
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.
Where can I check the tides for Commencement Bay?
The tide band lists Tacoma, Commencement Bay, Sitcum Waterway and others.
Which tackle shop serves Commencement Bay?
Dick's Sporting Goods Tacoma is the nearest shop we list, about 5 miles away.
Where are the fishing grounds on Commencement Bay?
Start with Browns Point, Browns to Dash Point and Dash Point, one of 6 named fishing areas.
Rig the downriggers for Commencement Bay
Every Washington saltwater fee and season sits one click away.