What Similk Bay offers and where to fish it

Similk Bay sits just south of Anacortes on Puget Sound's eastern shore, a shallow saltwater system that holds salmon, bottomfish, and seasonal runs of other species. The bay is roughly three miles wide and four miles deep, with a sandy bottom in the shallows and mud and rock structure deeper out. Most anglers fish from the Anacortes waterfront itself—the Cap Sante Marina area and nearby public access points—rather than launching a boat, though small-boat anglers do work the deeper channels.

The bay's main appeal is proximity and consistency. You can fish Similk Bay year-round without traveling far from Anacortes, and the shallow water means you don't need a large boat or heavy offshore gear. Tides matter here more than in deeper Puget Sound waters, because the bay flushes and fills predictably, concentrating fish at specific times.

Key Takeaways

  • Similk Bay holds chinook and coho salmon in summer and fall, with chinook peaking June through August and coho arriving in August.
  • Bottomfish—lingcod, rockfish, and flounder—are present year-round in deeper channels and rocky areas, with winter offering the most stable fishing.
  • Tide changes concentrate fish in the shallows and near structure, so timing your arrival around incoming or outgoing tide improves your odds significantly.
  • Public access from Anacortes waterfront and Cap Sante Marina requires no boat; shore anglers fish the pilings, jetties, and shallow flats with spinning gear or fly rods.
  • Saltwater fishing in Washington requires a Puget Sound Salmon and Bottomfish License, which covers both species and is sold at tackle shops and online through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Salmon seasons and what to expect

Chinook salmon enter Similk Bay in June and remain through August, with peak numbers in July. These fish average 15 to 25 pounds in the bay, though larger fish do show up. They hold in the deeper channels and near the mouth where current runs strongest. Casting from shore works if you're near structure, but most chinook anglers use small boats or fish from the pilings at Cap Sante during slack tide.

Coho salmon arrive in August and run through September, sometimes into early October. Coho are more aggressive than chinook and will chase lures in shallower water, making them more accessible to shore anglers. They average 8 to 12 pounds and respond well to small spoons, spinners, and herring strips. The incoming tide concentrates coho in the shallows, so plan to fish the two hours before and after slack water on a rising tide.

Pink salmon show up in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, and so on) in late August and September, running smaller than coho but in large numbers. They're less selective than other salmon and will hit small bright lures readily. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website before you go, because pink salmon seasons vary by year and area.

Bottomfish and year-round options

Lingcod, rockfish, and flounder live in Similk Bay year-round, with winter offering the most stable fishing because salmon seasons are closed. Lingcod hold near rocky outcrops and deeper structure in 40 to 80 feet of water; they're aggressive predators that hit large swimbaits, shads, and live herring. Rockfish—mostly black, blue, and yellowtail species—school in the same areas and respond to smaller jigs and vertical presentations. Flounder and other flatfish hunt the sandy bottom in shallower areas and are best fished with live bait or soft plastics dragged slowly along the bottom.

Winter bottomfishing (November through March) is reliable because the bay doesn't freeze and the fish don't migrate. You'll need a boat to reach the deeper structure where lingcod and rockfish concentrate, but the fishing is steady and you can keep good numbers. Smaller boats and even kayaks work if you stay in the shallower areas and fish the edges of channels where structure begins.

Tides, timing, and where to position yourself

Similk Bay's shallow depth means tides control fish movement more than in deeper Puget Sound waters. On an incoming tide, salmon and other species move into the shallows to feed. On an outgoing tide, they retreat to deeper channels. The slack water between tides—the 20 to 30 minutes when current stops—is when fish are most active in the shallows and most willing to chase lures.

Cap Sante Marina and the Anacortes waterfront pilings are your best shore-fishing spots. Fish the pilings on an incoming tide during slack water, casting small spoons or herring strips toward the structure. The jetties at the bay's mouth concentrate current and hold fish, especially on tide changes. If you have a small boat, the deeper channels south of Anacortes hold lingcod and rockfish year-round and are worth exploring on a falling tide when fish move deeper.

Tide tables for Anacortes are published by NOAA and are free online; use them to plan your fishing around the slack water periods that fall during daylight hours. A tide change at dawn or dusk is ideal, but a midday slack water is better than fishing against a strong current.

Gear and tackle for Similk Bay

Shore anglers fishing Similk Bay do well with medium-action spinning rods (6 to 7 feet) spooled with 10- to 15-pound braided line and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. Small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce) in silver, chartreuse, or pink work for coho and chinook. Herring strips or live herring fished under a float or on a simple rig catch salmon and bottomfish alike. For bottomfish, bring 1/4- to 1/2-ounce jigs in white, chartreuse, or natural colors, and a few soft plastics in 3- to 4-inch lengths.

Fly anglers can fish Similk Bay effectively during coho season with 8- to 9-weight rods and sinking lines. Small streamers (2 to 3 inches) in white, black, or chartreuse work on the incoming tide in shallow water. Bring extra leaders and tippet because saltwater fishing wears them out quickly.

If you launch a boat, add a depth finder to locate structure and follow bottom contours. Lingcod and rockfish hold tight to rocky areas, and a sounder helps you stay on them without wasting time searching.

Regulations and licensing

Washington requires a Puget Sound Salmon and Bottomfish License for anyone fishing saltwater in Similk Bay. This license covers both salmon and bottomfish species and is valid year-round. You can buy it online through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, at tackle shops in Anacortes, or at sporting goods stores. The license is immediate if you buy online; no waiting period.

Salmon seasons and catch limits change year to year and sometimes within a season. Check the WDFW website or call their hotline before you fish to confirm what's open and what the daily limit is. Bottomfish seasons are generally open year-round, but some species have seasonal closures or area restrictions, so verify current rules for the specific area you plan to fish.

All fish you keep must be retained and reported if you're part of a guided trip or charter, though private anglers fishing from shore don't have additional reporting requirements. Keep your license on you while fishing.

Getting to Similk Bay and nearby services

Similk Bay is accessible from Anacortes via the waterfront parks and marinas. Cap Sante Marina (on Cap Sante Drive, south of downtown Anacortes) has parking, restrooms, and a boat launch if you're bringing your own vessel. The Anacortes waterfront parks offer free parking and direct access to the pilings and shallow water. Both locations are a short drive from downtown Anacortes and have tackle shops and restaurants nearby.

If you don't have a boat, shore fishing from the pilings and jetties is your main option. The walk is short and the access is free. Kayak anglers can launch from Cap Sante or the public beach areas and fish the shallows and channels without a motorized boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Similk Bay?

June through September for salmon, with July peak for chinook and August through September best for coho. Winter (November through March) is most reliable for bottomfish like lingcod and rockfish. If you want a single season, July offers the most consistent action across multiple species.

Can I fish Similk Bay without a boat?

Yes. Shore anglers fish the pilings at Cap Sante Marina and the Anacortes waterfront jetties year-round. Coho and smaller chinook will hit lures from shore during the incoming tide. Bottomfish require deeper water, so a boat helps, but you can catch flounder and other flatfish from shore in shallower areas.

Do I need a guide to fish Similk Bay?

No. The bay is small, well-marked, and accessible from shore. If you have a boat, a depth finder and tide tables are enough to find fish. Guides are available through Anacortes charter services if you want local knowledge or help learning the area, but they're not required.

What happens if I fish without a license?

Washington enforces saltwater fishing licenses strictly. Fishing without one results in a fine and possible confiscation of gear. The license is inexpensive and immediate if you buy online, so there's no reason to skip it.

How do I know if salmon season is open when I plan to go?

Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website or call their hotline a few days before you fish. Seasons open and close based on fish counts, so they can change mid-season. The WDFW website lists current seasons by area, and Anacortes tackle shops also post updates.