UTERSockeye (red) salmon fishing in Washington freshwater
In Washington freshwater, sockeye (red) salmon peak July and are around July–August, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Baker Lake and Lake Washington sockeye — open only in years WDFW calls a season.
Not in Washington freshwater this month.
Sockeye (red) salmon in Washington freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyPeakBaker Lake and Lake Washington sockeye — open only in years WDFW calls a season.
- AugustLeaving
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish sockeye (red) salmon near Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan
The Columbia's walleye, smallmouth, shad, salmon and sturgeon, Puget Sound steelhead rivers, Lake Chelan's lakers and kokanee, and eastern Washington's lowland lakes.
What to use for sockeye (red) salmon
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–62°F water, best at 48–58°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch sockeye (red) salmon in Washington freshwater?
Peak season is July. Sockeye (red) salmon are in Washington freshwater July–August. July: Baker Lake and Lake Washington sockeye — open only in years WDFW calls a season.
Where do sockeye (red) salmon hold in Washington freshwater?
Look on river, lake — around Columbia River, Hanford Reach, Lake Chelan, Skagit River, Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt.
What is the best bait for sockeye (red) salmon in Washington freshwater?
Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for sockeye (red) salmon in Washington freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing.
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All about sockeye (red) salmon · Washington fresh water, the whole year