Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm sure this is a question I could call WDFW about, but I wanted to pick the brains of some Wa Lakers and see what they've experienced/how they interpret the rules.

Backstory: As some of you are aware, I live in Ballard and Shilshole Marina is literally a 5 minute drive down the road. I'll be fishing this area often during the summer in my small fishing boat(14.5' Gregor). For safety reasons I plan on only running the boat(at the absolute furthest) as far north as Edwards Point, otherwise I'd pull it from the water and trailer to my destination.

WDFW Pamphlet says that I can start retaining fish(species specific) July 1st but the Meadow Point to West Point Area doesn't open til Sept 1st. See the image below. Can I fish the area to the west of the Meadow Point/West Point "line" as long as I don't cross over? If yes, I'd plan on getting within a few hundred feet; has anyone ever had any repercussions over getting too close? I'd be basing my proximity by sight.

I was walking through Golden Gardens this past weekend and noticed the orange buoy right off the point. I assume this is the start/end of the "no-fishing" zone until Sept 1st? Can I fish north of Meadow Point prior to Sept 1st as long as I make my turn before the marker?

These might be straight forward questions that are right in front of my face, but I'd rather get some clarification before I suffer any consequences.

Second question to add: What's everyone's opinion on Possession Bar? I'd assess the weather conditions prior to any trip but do you think the water would be too rough to tackle in my boat. I've run it around Hood Canal with zero issues but I'd imagine that's a little more protected than the southern tip of Whidbey Island.

Truth is that not a whole lot of salmon fishing is done inside the line between West Point and Meadow Point even after it does open. My understanding is that they are trying to protect the fish returning to the Lake Washington system. Another issue during the time of it being closed are crab pots. The area gets littered with them and trying to troll through the area would be a PITA. There are plenty of fish to be had outside the line, especially the silvers. For blackmouth season, I'll venture inside a bit especially around the white can as you have a nice depth change to work over. So to answer your question, yes, you can fish outside/west/north of the line/zone prior to Sep 1st. As for running up to Possession in your boat, I've seen days on the Sound where that wouldn't be an issue, but they are few and far between.

Cozmo4196 wrote:Second question to add: What's everyone's opinion on Possession Bar? I'd assess the weather conditions prior to any trip but do you think the water would be too rough to tackle in my boat. I've run it around Hood Canal with zero issues but I'd imagine that's a little more protected than the southern tip of Whidbey Island.

I've fished possession bar in my 14' lund wc a lot and never had any issues. But then again, I've had a couple of days where I got to the launch and decided I'd be better off not risking it. Most of the time you'll be okay, especially if your boat is appropriately powered. Just don't bite off more than you can chew.

rcthepirate wrote:

Cozmo4196 wrote:Second question to add: What's everyone's opinion on Possession Bar? I'd assess the weather conditions prior to any trip but do you think the water would be too rough to tackle in my boat. I've run it around Hood Canal with zero issues but I'd imagine that's a little more protected than the southern tip of Whidbey Island.

I've fished possession bar in my 14' lund wc a lot and never had any issues. But then again, I've had a couple of days where I got to the launch and decided I'd be better off not risking it. Most of the time you'll be okay, especially if your boat is appropriately powered. Just don't bite off more than you can chew.

I've got an 18hp OB. Where did you launch from? Everett?

Mukilteo would be a better choice and there's lots of fishing between there and the ship wreck, not to mention the inside of Whidbey. You can usually hide behind the island. I personally would not go out around the corner in an open 14' boat. I've been out there in a 17' open boat with lots of power and it was marginal. The water changes way too fast to get away from it.

Cozmo4196 wrote:

rcthepirate wrote:

Cozmo4196 wrote:Second question to add: What's everyone's opinion on Possession Bar? I'd assess the weather conditions prior to any trip but do you think the water would be too rough to tackle in my boat. I've run it around Hood Canal with zero issues but I'd imagine that's a little more protected than the southern tip of Whidbey Island.

I've fished possession bar in my 14' lund wc a lot and never had any issues. But then again, I've had a couple of days where I got to the launch and decided I'd be better off not risking it. Most of the time you'll be okay, especially if your boat is appropriately powered. Just don't bite off more than you can chew.

I've got an 18hp OB. Where did you launch from? Everett?

I launch at Mukilteo, it's a much shorter run to possession than if you are coming from Everett. The boat launch is pretty crappy though. I personally think you'd be fine in a 14.5 with an 18 horse, as long as you avoid going out on windy days. It's the tidal current in combination with the wind that will get the water churning. You gonna be fishing for chinook out there this summer?

No way you should run from Shilshoe to Possession with a 14' boat. In addition to the distance, its a long ways, the prevailing wind is often from the south. Running all the way back against a 20 kt south wind in a 14' boat, super long day. Even Everett is going to be run for you.. 8 to 10 miles depending on which side of Poss you fish. Launch at Mulk. For Silvers and Pinks you can pretty much start fishing as soon as you launch from Mulk on down south to the Shipwreck.

I just have to jump in on this thread.. Cozmo, we've talked a few times, and I'm really happy for you getting your downriggers setup, and getting that boat all ready for salmon, etc. But since I too have a 14' Deep Hull, 25 hp, long shaft, I feel like I'm right in your zone.
And on that note, I launch out of Shilshole ALL THE TIME. I am VERY comfortable going out what I would call plenty far out into the fish zone, and then trolling N. and S. as far up as Richmond Beach. Heck, go as far up as Edmonds, etc.
But I would NOT recommend crossing in our style of boat. I crossed two times over the last 6-7 years. It was on total blue sky 80 degree days, "Early" in the day 0800, before winds pick up etc.
Even though it all worked out fine, I would not do it again. The sea can change so fast, wind can come up, swells come up, etc. But what can always be there even on a nice day, is that when you are right out in the middle of the shipping lanes, there can be some suprisingly large swells.
Think of this,, the motors that we run are like the size of kickers (maybe a little bigger ) for what the larger boats use as their kickers. We don't keep a kicker/backup on this kind of boat. My backup is my electric Minn Kota, which is a fricken joke on the salt with current. So, if you were out there and had any kind of challenges, you would not be feeling very good.... if you know what I mean.
That being said, last summer the Coho bite was AWESOME right in that N. S. zone out if front of the Shilshole launch. I caught/released a King out there as well.
I can't speak for crossing from Everett to Possession, I've never boated up there, don't know about that.

Hope I didn't come off to harsh, didn't mean it like that at all.

The Quadfather wrote:I just have to jump in on this thread.. Cozmo, we've talked a few times, and I'm really happy for you getting your downriggers setup, and getting that boat all ready for salmon, etc. But since I too have a 14' Deep Hull, 25 hp, long shaft, I feel like I'm right in your zone.
And on that note, I launch out of Shilshole ALL THE TIME. I am VERY comfortable going out what I would call plenty far out into the fish zone, and then trolling N. and S. as far up as Richmond Beach. Heck, go as far up as Edmonds, etc.
But I would NOT recommend crossing in our style of boat. I crossed two times over the last 6-7 years. It was on total blue sky 80 degree days, "Early" in the day 0800, before winds pick up etc.
Even though it all worked out fine, I would not do it again. The sea can change so fast, wind can come up, swells come up, etc. But what can always be there even on a nice day, is that when you are right out in the middle of the shipping lanes, there can be some suprisingly large swells.
Think of this,, the motors that we run are like the size of kickers (maybe a little bigger ) for what the larger boats use as their kickers. We don't keep a kicker/backup on this kind of boat. My backup is my electric Minn Kota, which is a fricken joke on the salt with current. So, if you were out there and had any kind of challenges, you would not be feeling very good.... if you know what I mean.
That being said, last summer the Coho bite was AWESOME right in that N. S. zone out if front of the Shilshole launch. I caught/released a King out there as well.
I can't speak for crossing from Everett to Possession, I've never boated up there, don't know about that.

Hope I didn't come off to harsh, didn't mean it like that at all.

Quad-No offense taken at all...my lack of response was only because I've spent the last few days down on the Cowlitz(with little to show of it). The more I think about it, venturing out to Possession in the boat that I have would be a terrible idea

Cozmo- If you are interested in fishing for chinook in the salt out of your boat (which I am assuming you are, based on the fact that you are inquiring about possession bar), you might want to think about fishing the point defiance area (clay banks, slag pile, west side of vashon). This area is definitely more small boat friendly in my experience, and can be very productive for summer chinook.

rcthepirate wrote:Cozmo- If you are interested in fishing for chinook in the salt out of your boat (which I am assuming you are, based on the fact that you are inquiring about possession bar), you might want to think about fishing the point defiance area (clay banks, slag pile, west side of vashon). This area is definitely more small boat friendly in my experience, and can be very productive for summer chinook.

I'm willing to try anywhere that won't put myself or my passengers in danger. The only reason I've been discussing the Shilshole area so much is because of how convenient it is for me.