What You'll Find at Yost Park

Yost Park sits on the Edmonds waterfront along Puget Sound and offers direct saltwater access for anglers. The park has a boat launch, a fishing pier, and shoreline access where you can cast from rocks and sandy beach. The water here holds Pacific salmon, bottomfish, and seasonal runs of other species depending on the time of year.

The pier is the most reliable spot for anglers without a boat. It extends into deeper water where salmon move through during their runs, and it stays open year-round. The launch ramp works for small trailers and hand-carried boats, making it accessible if you want to fish the deeper channels and reefs nearby.

Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the park, though it fills on weekends during peak salmon season. The park has restrooms, picnic areas, and a grassy area above the beach, so you can make a half-day of it without needing to leave the grounds.

Key Takeaways

  • Yost Park's fishing pier provides year-round saltwater access without needing a boat, with the best fishing during salmon runs in summer and fall.
  • The boat launch accommodates small trailers and hand-carried boats, giving you access to deeper water and nearby reefs where larger fish hold.
  • You will need a Washington saltwater fishing license and a Puget Sound Salmon and Bottomfish endorsement to fish here legally.
  • Parking fills quickly on weekends during peak season, so arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance at a spot.

Salmon Runs and Seasonal Timing

Summer and fall bring the strongest fishing at Yost Park. Chinook salmon move through Puget Sound from June through September, with peak activity typically in July and August. Coho salmon follow in late August and September. Both species will take herring, squid, and small spoons from the pier.

Spring can be productive for sea-run cutthroat trout and resident coho, though the bite is less predictable than in summer. Winter fishing is slower, but some anglers target bottomfish like lingcod and rockfish in the deeper channels accessible by boat. The water temperature and current patterns shift throughout the year, so checking recent reports from local tackle shops before you go will save you a wasted trip.

Fishing the Pier vs. Shore and Boat Launch

The pier is your best bet if you don't have a boat. It reaches into water deep enough to hold salmon during their migration, and you can fish it with basic gear — a medium-action rod, 20-pound line, and live herring or squid. The pier has railings and is wide enough to move around, which matters when you're fighting a fish or need to step aside for other anglers.

Shore fishing along the beach and rocks works during high tide when salmon move closer to the shallows. Low tide exposes more rock and can make casting difficult, so plan your session around the tide table. A boat launch opens up the reefs and channels to the north and south of the park, where bottomfish and larger salmon hold in deeper water. If you have access to a small boat or kayak, launching here gives you more options than the pier alone.

Gear and Tackle for Puget Sound Species

For pier fishing, bring a medium-action saltwater rod rated for 15 to 20-pound line. Salmon will take live herring, dead herring, squid, and small spoons. A simple sliding sinker rig with a 2/0 to 4/0 hook works well for herring. If you prefer spoons, 2 to 3-inch sizes in silver or chartreuse are reliable choices. Bring extra line because saltwater fishing wears it faster than freshwater, and the rocks near shore can fray it quickly.

Bottomfish tackle is lighter — a 6 to 7-foot rod with 12 to 15-pound line and small jigs or shrimp flies. If you launch a boat, you'll want a depth finder to locate structure where lingcod and rockfish hide. Bring polarized sunglasses to spot fish in the shallows and to protect your eyes from sun glare off the water. A net is useful for landing salmon from the pier, though many anglers hand-line them up.

Licensing and Regulations

Washington requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older. You will also need a Puget Sound Salmon and Bottomfish endorsement to keep salmon or bottomfish. Both are available online through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, at sporting goods stores, and at some tackle shops in Edmonds. The license is good for one year from the date of purchase.

Salmon size and bag limits change by species and season, so check the current regulations before you fish. Chinook have a minimum size of 24 inches and a daily limit that varies by year. Coho are typically 16 inches minimum with a 2-fish daily limit. Bottomfish like lingcod and rockfish have their own limits. The WDFW website has a searchable regulation guide that breaks down rules by water body and month.

Parking, Facilities, and Best Times to Visit

Yost Park has a paved parking lot with roughly 40 spaces. On summer weekends during peak salmon season, it fills by 8 a.m. Arriving before sunrise gives you the best chance at a spot and puts you on the water during the morning bite, when salmon are most active. Weekday mornings are less crowded and often produce better fishing because fewer anglers are competing for the same fish.

The park has restrooms, a picnic area, and a small grassy field above the beach. There is no food vendor on-site, so bring water and snacks if you plan to stay more than a couple of hours. The pier is lit at night, so evening fishing is possible, though most anglers fish the dawn and midday hours. Parking is free, and the park is open from dawn to dusk.

Getting There and Nearby Resources

Yost Park is located at 9th Avenue West and Dayton Street in Edmonds, just off the Edmonds waterfront. It is a short drive from downtown Edmonds and Highway 99. Street parking is available along nearby roads if the lot is full, though it is limited and can be tight on busy weekends.

Several tackle shops in Edmonds carry saltwater gear and can give you current fishing reports. They also sell licenses and endorsements on the spot. If you need to rent a boat or book a guided charter, the Edmonds Marina has options, though most private anglers use the launch at Yost Park itself. The Edmonds waterfront has restaurants and shops within walking distance if you want to combine fishing with other activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day to fish Yost Park?

Early morning from sunrise to mid-morning is most productive for salmon. The bite slows in the afternoon heat, then picks up again in the evening. Tide matters too — fish move closer to shore on incoming tide, so plan your session to fish the last hour of incoming and the first two hours of high tide.

Can I fish from the pier at night?

Yes, the pier is lit and open for night fishing. Fewer anglers fish at night, so you may have more space and less competition. Some species like bottomfish bite better at night, though salmon are generally more active during daylight hours.

Do I need a boat to fish Yost Park, or is the pier enough?

The pier is enough to catch salmon and bottomfish without a boat. You will have access to deeper water and more species if you launch a boat, but the pier produces fish consistently during salmon runs. Many anglers fish the pier exclusively and do well.

What should I do if the parking lot is full?

Street parking is available along nearby roads, though it is limited. Arriving before 7 a.m. on weekends or fishing on a weekday morning will give you a better chance at a lot space. If the lot is full, check back in an hour or two — anglers rotate through, and spots open up.

Are there any restrictions on what I can keep?

Yes, size and bag limits vary by species and season. Chinook have a 24-inch minimum and a daily limit that changes yearly. Coho are typically 16 inches minimum with a 2-fish limit. Check the WDFW website or ask at a local tackle shop for the current rules before you fish.