King Salmon - Marine Area 7 - San Juans

This Thursday, July 1st, marks the opener of salmon season in the San Juans for the summer season. This is a date that every salmon fisherman that fishes the islands looks forward to, as this is king salmon time! From the opener until the end of September every angler will be searching out those mature Chinook that are making their way to their natal streams. With kings making their way to the Frazer, Skagit, Samish, Nooksack as well as fish that are making their way to Puget Sound streams there will be many opportunities to intercept Chinook on their way home.

Where would I be for the opener? For me, the west side of San Juan Island is where I would be for the first few days. The reports out of Victoria and Sooke have not been to bad for anglers targeting fish headed for the Frazer. With a good flood tide first thing in the morning these fish will will be riding the tide and hit the west side of San Juan Island and spots like Eagle Point, Pile Point and Lime Kiln are all prime points to focus your attention.

As these fish are migrants, I would start out fishing the 30 - 50 foot depth zone whether you are motor mooching or downrigger fishing. I would be fishing a green or blue sized herring either plug cut or whole and focusing my presentation on areas where you have some tidal conflicts (rips) where bait fish will be compacted into relatively tight areas. As the day goes on and the light intensity increases I would drop down into the water column are fish a tad bit deeper. Watch that sounder and fish the bottom depths of your bait schools. These are migrant fish and are not always hugging the bottom!

Tides are great for the opener with good early morning flood tides and good late incoming tides (that is if you can stay out that late).

Don't forget that this area is open for a single Chinook limit, hatchery fish only with a 22" minimum size limit. Make sure to read your WDFW pamphlet for the regulations for area 7 before heading out.

Wish you luck over this holiday weekend!