Puget Sound Winter Fishing Prospects: Cutthroat, Coho, and More on the Menu

As of January 19, 2025, the fishing scene in the Puget Sound, particularly around Seattle, is looking promising despite the winter conditions. ### Tidal Report Today's high tide in Seattle is predicted to be around 12.8 feet at 9:41 AM, with the low tide at 3:34 PM[2]. ### Weather Expect overcast skies with a mild winter temperature, likely in the mid-40s to low 50s Fahrenheit. There might be some light drizzle, but nothing that should deter you from getting out on the water. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:53 AM, and sunset will be at 4:34 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and late afternoon fishing. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw some good action for sea-run cutthroat trout, particularly around the beaches. These fish are currently focusing on krill, so using krill and euphausiid patterns would be your best bet. Some anglers also reported success with sculpin patterns and small suggestive patterns mimicking copepods and amphipods[1]. ### Types and Amounts of Fish While the numbers aren't overwhelming, there were reports of quality fish caught. Sea-run cutthroat trout and some resident coho salmon were the main catches. Pink salmon are not as active this time of year, but you might still encounter a few stragglers. ### Best Lures and Bait For sea-run cutthroat, use floating krill patterns like the White Gartside Gurgler, and other euphausiid patterns. Sculpin patterns and small suggestive patterns mimicking copepods and amphipods are also effective. If you're targeting coho, baitfish patterns like the Foul Free Herring or Mini Deceiver could work well[1]. ### Hot Spots Two hot spots to consider are the beaches around Point Defiance Park in Tacoma and the shores near Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. Both areas have seen good activity for sea-run cutthroat and resident coho. Look for moving water, especially during early morning outgoing tides, to increase your chances of catching some fish. Overall, it's a good day to get out and enjoy the winter fishing in the Puget Sound. Just remember to slow down your retrieves and focus on those winter fly patterns to maximize your success. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.