Fishing near Seattle, Washington
King County, population 737,015.
- 1 mileto nearest paged water
- 3launches nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Rods packed and leaving Seattle
Seattle, a city inside King County, had 737,015 residents in 2020. No paged water beats Elliott Bay for distance, around 1 mile toward the southwest. Lake Washington, at 21,934 acres, is the widest lake within reach. The shortest tow is 8 miles, to Blake Island boat launch.
Bank anglers can try Elliott Bay Fishing Pier at Terminal 86, 1 mile out. Green Lake (King County), roughly 4 miles out, took WDFW hatchery trout in 2026.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Seattle; miles are straight lines.
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| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Union | 2 miles north | 1,030 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass |
| Lake Washington | 4 miles east | 21,934 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Green Lake (King County) | 4 miles north | 250 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass |
| Haller Lake | 7 miles north | 14 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Bitter Lake | 7 miles north | 16 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Larsen Lake | 10 miles east | 10 | 0 | Warmwater emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Where Seattle anglers find salt water
| Water | Kind | Distance | Launches | Piers and shore | Marine area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elliott Bay | regional marine water | 1 mile southwest | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Seattle-Bremerton (Marine Area 10) | WDFW marine area | 6 miles northwest | 3 | 22 | 10 |
| Sinclair Inlet | regional marine water | 15 miles west | 2 | 10 | 10 |
| Colvos Passage | regional marine water | 16 miles southwest | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | WDFW marine area | 17 miles south | 0 | 8 | 11 |
For lakes and rivers the Freshwater license costs $39.95 with Washington residency, $115.85 without it. Marine water needs the Saltwater license instead ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident) or a Combination license covering both.
WDFW Recreational Marine Areas, WDFW and State Parks marine launches, WDFW piers; retrieved October 31, 2026.
River fishing a few turns from Seattle
- Duwamish River10 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 USGS gauges, 5 mi in Washington
- Sammamish River11 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 1 mapped launch, 14 mi in Washington
Gauge stations posting near Seattle
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Duwamish R At E Marginal Way Br At Duwamish, Wa | 5.17 ft gage height | Nov 1 7:45 pm |
| Duwamish River At Golf Course At Tukwila, Wa | 852 cfs, 6.37 ft gage height | Nov 1 7:45 pm |
| Green River At Tukwila, Wa | 3.65 ft gage height | Nov 1 8:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 1, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches and USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Ramps and lake points near Seattle, plotted
- Blake Island boat launchMarine Area 10, State Parks, 8 miles
- Kenmore Bridge boat launch on Sammamish RiverSammamish River, City of Kenmore, 10 miles
- Illahee, pier and floats on Sinclair InletSinclair Inlet, State Parks, 11 miles
Spots without a boat around Seattle
- Elliott Bay Fishing Pier at Terminal 86fishing pier, Marine Area 10, 1 mile
- Lake Union fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, 2 miles
- Lake Union shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing, 2 miles
- Lake Union fishing pier near Seattleshore fishing site, Public pier, 2 miles
- Seacrest Park Pier on Elliott Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 10, 2 miles
- Lake Washington shore accessshore fishing site, Trail provides leads to shore fishing spots along Marsh and , 3 miles
WDFW Facilities layer and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Planted trout around Seattle
| Lake | Distance | Latest 2026 plant |
|---|---|---|
| Green Lake (King County) | 4 miles | Rainbow, 1,632 fish at 0.85 per pound, October 13, 2026, Whitehorse Pond |
| Haller Lake | 7 miles | Rainbow, 1,200 fish at 2 per pound, April 27, 2026, Whitehorse Pond |
| Bitter Lake | 7 miles | Rainbow, 1,400 fish at 2 per pound, April 27, 2026, Whitehorse Pond |
| Echo Lake (King County) | 11 miles | Rainbow, 1,000 fish at 2 per pound, April 28, 2026, Whitehorse Pond |
Each lake above took a WDFW hatchery plant in 2026; the latest one is listed.
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026.
Fly shops and charters near Seattle
Bait counters with a Seattle listing or point
- Dick's Sporting Goods Seattlesporting goods store, Seattle, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bellevuesporting goods store, Bellevue, 10 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwilasporting goods store, Tukwila, 13 miles
- Angle Maidenbait and tackle shop, Auburn
- Tow Boat Seattlemarina, Auburn
- Bellevue Marinasmarina, Bellevue
- Brandt's Landing Marinamarina, Bellevue
- Meydenbauer Bay Marinamarina, Bellevue
Guide boats working out of Seattle
- Adventure Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 789-8245
- Emerald Water Anglerscharter, Seattle, (206) 708-7250
- Fish Finders Private Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 632-2611
- cut plug charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 920-9482
Yellow Pages and chain store listings (miles only for shops with an exact point), guide and charter listings; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Organizer events on water by Seattle
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 7, 2027 | annual salmon derby | Puget Sound | Puget Sound Anglers, Gig Harbor & Tacoma chapter |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Edmonds Coho Derby | Puget Sound | Edmonds Coho Derby |
| not printed | club's 30th annual derby | Puget Sound | Puget Sound Anglers, Gig Harbor & Tacoma chapter |
Organizer schedule and results pages for events in King County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
WDFW records close to Seattle
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 4.50 lbs | Lake Washington | May 1, 1956 |
| Sockeye Salmon | 10.63 lbs | Lake Washington | July 20, 1982 |
| Brown Bullhead | 3.90 lbs | Ludlow Lake | June 26, 1997 |
| Atlantic Salmon, sea-run | 14.38 lbs | Green River (King County) | Sept. 22, 1999 |
| Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run | 6.00 lbs | Carr Inlet | May 1, 1943 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Washington limits for trips out of Seattle
WDFW sells the 2026-27 Freshwater license for $39.95 to Washington residents and $115.85 to visitors 16 and up. Marine areas fall under the Saltwater license: $40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident in 2026-27. Keep a catch record card on you for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut; WDFW issues it with the license.
| 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) |
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. Lake, river and marine pages print any Special Rule or marine area table.
Places that border Seattle
Town pages a short drive from Seattle
- Medina5 miles
- Clyde Hill6 miles
- Yarrow Point6 miles
- Mercer Island7 miles
- Bainbridge Island7 miles
County guide that takes in Seattle
- King Countyseat: Seattle
What Piscifun sells for a morning at Seattle
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How to tell one Seattle fish from another, by photo
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS – Pacific Region, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS – Pacific Region, Public domain
Seattle as home base for anglers, asked and answered
What is the nearest lake with a page to Seattle?
Lake Union, 2 miles north.
Which ramp is the shortest tow from Seattle?
Blake Island boat launch, roughly 8 miles out.
What shore site sits closest to Seattle?
Try Elliott Bay Fishing Pier at Terminal 86, 1 mile.
Which shop sells bait closest to Seattle?
Dick's Sporting Goods Seattle lists a store 6 miles from the town point.
Which county courthouse handles Seattle business?
King County.
What license price applies to anglers staying in Seattle?
The nonresident Freshwater license runs $115.85 at 2026-27 prices. Salt water takes a Saltwater or Combination license.
Which lake near Seattle has the most surface acres?
Lake Washington covers 21,934 acres and sits 4 miles out.
What other Washington towns sit near Seattle?
Try Medina (5 miles), Clyde Hill (6 miles) and Yarrow Point (6 miles).
How far is Seattle from salt water?
Elliott Bay, regional marine water, about 1 mile away.
Do clubs or derbies run near Seattle?
3 events on file; next is annual salmon derby on Puget Sound, Aug. 7, 2027.
Is there record water close to Seattle?
Black Crappie, 4.50 lbs, from Lake Washington, King County.
Which stocked lake is closest to Seattle?
Green Lake (King County), 4 miles away, is the closest lake with a 2026 WDFW plant.
Choose a lake or river near Seattle
Check the water page for Special Rules before keeping fish.