Elliott Bay Fishing
Washington marine water in King County, inside Marine Area 10.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Getting to know Elliott Bay
Elliott Bay sits in Marine Area 10, bordered by King County. Seattle is the nearest town, about 1 mile off.
WDFW maps 5 piers and shore sites for fishing from land. It holds 3 named fishing areas on the WDFW map. WDFW lists 59 marine rule rows covering it. NOAA keeps 10 NOAA tide stations in range.
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 with a source on Elliott Bay
Species with a source on Elliott Bay.
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 WDFW fishing areas inside Elliott Bay
- Alki PointShoreline Access Available
- Golden Gardens ParkShoreline Access Available
- West/Meadow PointBoat Access Only
WDFW Major Fishing Areas layer on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (names and access notes as published); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Marine ramps serving Elliott Bay
No launch on Elliott Bay is in the layers we use.
Ramps within easy towing of Elliott Bay
- Ross Point boat launch on Sinclair InletSinclair Inlet, 14 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.
Piers and shore spots on Elliott Bay
- Shilshole Marina (A-Dock) on Elliott Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 10
- Elliott Bay Fishing Pier at Terminal 86fishing pier, Marine Area 10
- Seacrest Park Pier on Elliott Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 10
- Spokane St. Bridge on Elliott Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 10
- Shilshole Marina Pier on Elliott Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 10
Fishing on foot around Elliott Bay
- Blake Island State Park Pierfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 7 miles
- Manchester Boat Dock on Sinclair Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 9 miles
- Crystal Springs Public Fishing Pier on Sinclair Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 9 miles
- Waterman Point Pier (Sinclair Inlet) on Sinclair Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 10 miles
- Illahee State Park Pier on Sinclair Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 10 miles
WDFW piers and shore fishing layers, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Smaller named water within Elliott Bay
- Duwamish East Waterwayother named water King County
- Duwamish West Waterwayother named water King County
- Harbor Island Reachharbor King County
- Smith Covecove King County
- Smith Cove Waterwaycove King County
USGS GNIS names inside the WDFW marine area polygon; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Reading the tide on Elliott Bay
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.
- Seattle (Madison St.), Elliott Baytide predictions, 2 miles
- Lockheed Shipyard, Harbor Islandtide predictions, 2 miles
- Duwamish Waterway, Eighth Ave. Southtide predictions, 6 miles
- Meadow Point, Shilshole Baytide predictions, 6 miles
- Port Blakelytide predictions, 6 miles
- Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Islandtide predictions, 7 miles
Current on Elliott Bay follows the tide table closely, so plan crossings and drifts around it.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations inside or beside the marine area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Where boats moor near Elliott Bay
- Elliott Bay Marinamarina 206/285-4817
- Harbor Island Marinamarina 206/728-3000
- Mcginnis Marine, Inc.marina 206/782-5777
- Shilshole Bay Marinamarina 206/728-3000
- Duwamish Waterway Associationmarina 206/728-3000
- Bell Street Marina (Bell Harbor Marina)marina 206/728-3000
Artificial reefs near Elliott Bay
- The Trees (Boeing Creek)boat
- West Seattleboat
- Blake Islandboat
NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index atlas records (2003 to 2006); facility and reef details reflect the source year, not today. Retrieved october 31, 2026.
Marine rules for Elliott 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 | Check the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut or call (360) 902-2700 in March for information on Pacific halibut seasons and regulations. No min. size. Daily limit 1. Annual limit 6. Descendin | see the pamphlet |
| 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 Shilshole Bay, West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Harbor Island (Duwa | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. | June 1-July 22 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Shilshole Bay, West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Harbor Island (Duwa | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum and wild Chinook. Additional Chinook openings may occur based on available quota. Check the WDFW | July 23-July 25 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Shilshole Bay, West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Harbor Island (Duwa | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. | July 26-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Shilshole Bay, West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Harbor Island (Duwa | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook. | Oct. 1-Nov. 15 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Shilshole Bay, West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Harbor Island (Duwa | CLOSED. | Nov. 16-Mar. 30 |
| Salmon (Entire Area (see exceptions for Shilshole Bay, West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Harbor Island (Duwa | 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 (Shilshole Bay West Elliott Bay) | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. | June 1-June 30 |
| Salmon (Shilshole Bay West Elliott Bay) | CLOSED. | July 1-Aug. 31 |
| Salmon (Shilshole Bay West Elliott Bay) | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. | Sept. 1-Sept. 30 |
| Salmon (Shilshole Bay West Elliott Bay) | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook. | Oct. 1-Nov. 15 |
| Salmon (Shilshole Bay West Elliott Bay) | CLOSED. | Nov. 16-Mar. 30 |
| Salmon (Shilshole Bay West Elliott Bay) | 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 (East Elliott Bay) | No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. | June 1-June 30 |
| Salmon (East Elliott Bay) | CLOSED. | July 1-July 30 |
| Salmon (East Elliott Bay) | Chinook – min. size 22”. Other salmon species – no min. size. Daily limit 2. Release chum. | July 31-Aug. 3 (12:00 p.m.) |
| Salmon (East Elliott Bay) | CLOSED. | Aug. 3 (12:00 p.m.) – Aug. 31 |
There are 59 rows for Marine Area 10; open the pamphlet for all of them.
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 126 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations marine area page), read October 31, 2026.
Harbor communities on Elliott Bay
- SeattleKing County
USGS GNIS populated places and harbors named by WDFW for the area; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Neighbouring marine water set beside Elliott Bay
| Water | Distance | Marine area | Launches | Piers and shore sites | Tide stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elliott Bay | Marine Area 10 | 0 | 5 | 10 | |
| Seattle-Bremerton (Marine Area 10) | 6 miles | Marine Area 10 | 3 | 22 | 16 |
| Sinclair Inlet | 14 miles | Marine Area 10 | 2 | 10 | 8 |
| Colvos Passage | 14 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | 16 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
| Commencement Bay | 23 miles | Marine Area 11 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
WDFW marine areas and access layers, NOAA stations; retrieved October 31, 2026.
A few miles from Elliott Bay
Neighbouring water to Elliott Bay
- Seattle-Bremerton (Marine Area 10)6 miles
- Sinclair Inlet14 miles
- Colvos Passage14 miles
- Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11)16 miles
- Commencement Bay23 miles
The country around Elliott Bay
- Lake Union3 miles
- Lake Washington5 miles
- Green Lake (King County)5 miles
- Haller Lake8 miles
- Duwamish River10 miles
- Sammamish River12 miles
- Snoqualmie River19 miles
- Raging River22 miles
Tackle and bait counters serving Elliott Bay
- Dick's Sporting Goods Seattlesporting goods store, Seattle, 7 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bellevuesporting goods store, Bellevue, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwilasporting goods store, Tukwila, 12 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Silverdalesporting goods store, Silverdale, 15 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Silverdalesporting goods store, Silverdale, 15 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Issaquahsporting goods store, Issaquah, 17 miles
Paid fishing guides around Elliott 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
- Screaminreels Guide Servicecharter, Duvall, (206) 849-2574
- Tight Lines Sports Fishingcharter, Des Moines, (206) 715-0879
- cut plug charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 920-9482
Where to book a room for Elliott Bay
- Seattle1 mile
- Medina6 miles
- Bainbridge Island7 miles
- White Center7 miles
County guides for Elliott Bay
- King Countyseat: Seattle
Piscifun gear a Cascades angler could bring to Elliott Bay
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The shoreline country around Elliott Bay, in pictures
Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Photo: ElTico68, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: KurtClark, CC BY 2.0
What people planning Elliott Bay want to know
What marine area number applies to Elliott Bay?
Look up Marine Area 10 in the pamphlet.
What salmon rules apply on Elliott Bay?
The first salmon row for Marine Area 10: No min. size. Daily limit 2. Release Chinook and chum. (June 1-July 22). Emergency rules can change it.
What size lingcod is legal on Elliott Bay?
Lingcod on Elliott Bay: Hook and line season. Min. size 26”. Max. size 36”. Daily limit 1.; May 1-June 15.
Which listed saltwater launch is the way onto Elliott Bay?
Use Ross Point boat launch on Sinclair Inlet, roughly 14 miles away.
Does WDFW list a public pier on Elliott Bay?
Try Shilshole Marina (A-Dock) on Elliott Bay, one of 5 piers and shore sites.
Is a catch record card needed on Elliott 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.
When is slack water on Elliott Bay?
Check Seattle (Madison St.), Elliott Bay; the tide band links it.
Is there a shop near Elliott Bay?
Dick's Sporting Goods Seattle, about 7 miles away is first on our list.
What spots does WDFW chart on Elliott Bay?
Try Alki Point, Golden Gardens Park and West/Meadow Point of the 3 named fishing areas.
Head for Elliott Bay on the next opener
Saltwater fees, catch record cards and marine area rows are on the license page.