Fishing in Island County, Washington
County seat: Coupeville. Population 86,857.
- 4lake pages
- 9launches
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Island County from a Washington angler's seat
Census takers counted 86,857 people across Island County in 2020, and county government sits in Coupeville. Stocking rows for the county carry the WDFW Region 4 label in the WDFW report.
4 lakes here carry a full page, together 359 acres, the biggest being Cranberry Lake. Saltwater anglers here fish Admiralty Inlet, Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay, East Juan de Fuca Strait and Port Susan and Port Gardner. Boaters get 9 boat launches from the agency layers, managed by 2 WDFW, 4 State Parks and 3 other agencies. The WDFW layer shows 14 shore or access sites for fishing on foot; 9 are piers.
Census 2020 population; WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, WDFW facilities and State Parks launch layers (WDFW GIS); WDFW marine areas; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Pins for every mapped launch across Island County
WDFW and State Parks launch layers, WDFW facilities, WDFW lake points, NHD river midpoints and WDFW marine area points. Checked November 2026.
Which lakes in Island County earned their own guide
| Lake | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberry Lake | 134 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass |
| Lone Lake | 90 | 1 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Deer Lake (Island County) | 82 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass |
| Lake Goss | 54 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); WDFW publishes no lake depths in these layers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
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WDFW marine areas and regional waters touching Island County number 11.
| Water | Kind | Launches | Piers and shore | Marine area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Inlet (Marine Area 9) | WDFW marine area | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay (Marine Area 8-1) | WDFW marine area | 5 | 5 | 8-1 |
| East Juan de Fuca Strait (Marine Area 6) | WDFW marine area | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Port Susan and Port Gardner (Marine Area 8-2) | WDFW marine area | 3 | 5 | 8-2 |
| Deception Pass | regional marine water | 3 | 3 | 8-1 |
| Port Gardner | regional marine water | 1 | 3 | 8-2 |
| Port Susan | regional marine water | 3 | 1 | 8-2 |
| Possession Sound | regional marine water | 0 | 4 | 8-2 |
| Puget Sound | regional marine water | 34 | 52 | 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 |
| Saratoga Passage | regional marine water | 0 | 3 | 8-1 |
| Strait of Juan de Fuca | regional marine water | 5 | 3 | 5, 6 |
NOAA readings on the Island County shore
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.
Add 6 marinas from the 2003 to 2006 NOAA ESI atlas, a dated source.
WDFW Recreational Marine Areas (WAC 220-300-160 boundaries), WDFW and State Parks marine launches, WDFW piers and USGS GNIS bay names; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Fish named most often on water near Island County
Across water pages within 50 miles of Coupeville, rainbow trout is named more than any other fish.
Species mapped in the WDFW Fish Washington layers, WDFW state records and the 2026 WDFW trout plants, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a survey.
Alpine tarns and ponds dotted over Island County
A further 2 lakes in Island County are mapped but thin on facts.
| Water | Acres | WDFW program | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Bay Pd – W | 2 | Trout emphasis | Coupeville |
| Admiralty Bay Pd – E | 2 | Trout emphasis | Coupeville |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Stocked trout in the lakes of Island County
In 2026, 8 WDFW plants put 22,544 trout into 5 waters inside Island County.
- Holmes Derby PondRainbow, 600 fish at 1.6 per pound, May 23, 2026, Arlington Hatchery
- Cranberry LakeRainbow, 2,525 fish at 2 per pound, April 22, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
- Cranberry LakeRainbow, 2,534 fish at 2 per pound, April 21, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
- Lake GossRainbow, 3,400 fish at 2 per pound, April 15, 2026, Whitehorse Pond
- Deer Lake (Island County)Rainbow, 7,000 fish at 2 per pound, April 15, 2026, Whitehorse Pond
- Cranberry LakeRainbow, 1,950 fish at 2 per pound, April 10, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
- Cranberry LakeRainbow, 1,835 fish at 2 per pound, April 9, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
- Lone LakeRainbow, 2,700 fish at 2 per pound, April 8, 2026, Whitehorse Pond
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.
Ramp and pier inventory for Island County
- Deception Pass, Cranberry Lake boat launchCranberry Lake, State Parks, Discover Pass
- Deer Lake boat launch (west)Deer Lake, South Whidbey Parks District, 1 ramp, concrete surface
- Grasser's Lagoon boat launchMarine Area 8-1, WDFW, n/a surface, Discover Pass
- Lake Goss boat launchLake Goss, South Whidbey Parks District, 1 ramp, gravel surface
- Lone Lake boat launchLone Lake, South Whidbey Parks District, 1 ramp, concrete surface
- Mueller Park boat launchMarine Area 8-1, WDFW, n/a surface, Discover Pass
- Camano Island boat launch on Port SusanPort Susan, State Parks, boat ramp
- Deception Pass, Cornet Bay boat launchDeception Pass, State Parks, boat ramp
- Fort Casey launchMarine Area 9, State Parks, boat ramp
A Discover Pass is marked as required at 3 of the launches above.
Piers and bank access across Island County (14)
- Bowman's Bay Pier on Deception Passfishing pier, Marine Area 6
- Clinton Fishing Pier (Clinton Ferry Dock) on Possession Soundfishing pier, Marine Area 8-2
- Cornet Bay Docks on Deception Passfishing pier, Marine Area 8-1
- Coupeville Pier on Saratoga Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 8-1
- Langley Marina (City Pier) on Possession Soundfishing pier, Marine Area 8-2
- Oak Harbor Marina on Saratoga Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 8-1
- Oak Harbor Pier (Flintstone Park) on Saratoga Passagefishing pier, Marine Area 8-1
- Cranberry Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public fishing dock
- Cranberry Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Multiple pullouts along road, shore fishing
- Cranberry Lake shore access near Whidbey Island Stationshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing near primitive boat ramp
- Deer Lake shore access near Clintonshore fishing site, shore fishing near boat launch
- Fishing pier on Deer Lakefishing pier
- Lake Goss shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing near boat launch
- Lone Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing near boat launch
WDFW Facilities layer (boat launches, piers, shore sites) and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026. Lanes and per-launch fees are not published in these layers.
Statewide freshwater rules across Island County
The baseline for Island County is the statewide freshwater table; named waters below set their own terms. Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not. Marine water needs the Saltwater license instead ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident) or a Combination license covering both. A catch record card rides along with the license whenever salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut are kept.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Largemouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Burbot (Freshwater Ling) | No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Grass Carp | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Kokanee | No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie) | Min. size 50". Daily limit 1. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Whitefish | No min. size. Daily limit 15. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Steelhead | Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed. | Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
For marine water, rules change by area; see the marine area pages. Marine area rules
Where Island County breaks from the statewide tables (6)
| Water and reach | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Goss Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Lone Lake | All species | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Selective gear rules. |
| Lone Lake | Trout | Min. size 18". Daily limit 1. (Year-round) |
| Lone Lake | Grass carp | No min. size. No daily limit. May also be taken by bow-and-arrow. (Year-round) |
| Lone Lake | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Year-round) |
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 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026. Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 82 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Heaviest fish WDFW credits to Island County
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pink Salmon | 11.56 lbs | Jeff Bergman | Possession Point, Island County | Aug. 25, 2001 |
| North Pacific Spiny Dogfish | 20.25 lbs | Roger Petersen | Middle Bank, Island County | May 22, 1998 |
| Big Skate | 130.00 lbs | Dan Cartwright | Double Bluff, Island County | May 18, 1986 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.
Island County bait counters and charter skippers
Shop listings for Island County
- Deception Pass Marinabait and tackle shop, Oak Harbor
- Possession Point Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Clinton
- Wahoo Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Freeland
- Oak Harbor Marinamarina, Oak Harbor
- Port of South Whidbey Harbormarina, Langley
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide and charter listings (city of business); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Beyond the edge of Island County
Overnight bases in Island County
- Oak Harborpop. 24,622
- Camanopop. 17,356
- Freelandpop. 2,252
- Coupevillepop. 1,942
- Whidbey Island Stationpop. 1,671
- Langleypop. 1,147
Counties beside Island County
- San Juan County31 miles northwest
- Kitsap County36 miles south
- Snohomish County42 miles east
- Skagit County44 miles northeast
A Piscifun spinning setup worth packing for Island County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A photo key to fish at Island County
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Photo: USFWS – Pacific Region, Public domain
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What Washington anglers ask about Island County
Which agencies run the launches in Island County?
9 launches; 2 WDFW, 4 State Parks and 3 other agencies.
Which Island County lake shows the most acres in the WDFW layer?
Cranberry Lake, at 134 surface acres in the WDFW layer.
What tops the species tally for Island County water?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, coastal cutthroat trout and yellow perch.
Where in Island County can an angler restock gear?
Deception Pass Marina is one of 5 shops listed here.
Can visitors hire a fishing guide based in Island County?
No skipper gives a city in the county.
Which town has the Island County courthouse?
Coupeville, home of the courthouse.
Does fishing in Island County need a saltwater license?
Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not. Marine water needs the Saltwater license instead ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident) or a Combination license covering both.
Which counties touch the Island County line?
The list above starts with San Juan County, Kitsap County and Snohomish County.
Which Island County lakes or creeks have their own rule?
The 2026-27 pamphlet prints 6 Special Rule entries touching this county, starting with Deer Lake; the table above shows the first ones.
Does Island County have saltwater fishing?
Admiralty Inlet, Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay, East Juan de Fuca Strait and Port Susan and Port Gardner; the marine table above links each page.
Does Island County water hold a state record?
Pink Salmon, 11.56 lbs, from Possession Point, Island County (Aug. 25, 2001).
When was Island County water last planted?
8 WDFW plants so far in 2026, 22,544 fish; the latest went into Holmes Derby Pond on May 23, 2026.
Work the lakes and creeks of Island County
Each ramp opens with a directions link.