The Puget Sound Fishing Forecast: Cutthroat, Chum, and Early Steelhead on the Menu

Today, December 26th, fishing in the Puget Sound around Seattle is looking promising, especially for those familiar with the local conditions. First, let's look at the tides. According to the tide charts, we have a high tide at 4:08 AM with a height of 11'8", followed by a low tide at 8:26 AM at 8'6". The next high tide is at 1:26 PM, reaching 13'4", and the final low tide of the day is at 9:05 PM, dipping to 0'3"[2][5]. Sunrise is at 7:57 AM, and sunset will be at 4:27 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing. In recent weeks, the South Puget Sound has been producing some very nice Cutthroat trout, and we are starting to see some Chum Salmon returning. For Cutthroat, fishing has been improving daily, especially with the chum fry migration getting closer. Look to fish patterns like chum fry, Sculpin, Euphassiid and Krill, and small suggestive patterns mimicking copepods, amphipods, and other small crustacean larvae[1]. For steelhead, particularly in the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound rivers like the Snoqualmie and Skykomish, early-returning hatchery steelhead are starting to show up. Wild steelhead returns typically begin in January, but you can already catch a few now. Use a variety of sink tips and flies to prepare for the ever-changing water conditions[1][4]. Given the current tide and time of year, focus on moving water, especially during the early morning outgoing tides. Hot spots include the beaches around the South Puget Sound, where you can find Cutthroat and occasional Resident Coho. The Snoqualmie and Skykomish rivers are also good for steelhead. In terms of lures, stick with what's been working: Chum Baby, Foul Free Herring, Small Clouser Minnows, and krill and euphasid patterns. If you notice fish rising to eat krill right under the surface, a floating krill pattern like the White Gartside Gurgler can be very effective[1]. Overall, it's a good day to get out on the water, especially if you can time your fishing around the tides and look for those areas with moving water. Happy fishing This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.