Seattle Winter Blackmouth Salmon Fishing Charters
Catch Juvenile Kings During Winter… It’s Salmon Fishing, Seattle-Style
When most anglers pack away their gear for the season, Seattle’s fishermen are just getting started. Winter Blackmouth — the local name for juvenile King Salmon (Chinook) — stay in Puget Sound year-round, feeding in its protected waters.
That means you can experience true Seattle salmon fishing in the middle of winter, without leaving the city. Calm seas, crisp air, and lighter crowds make it a special time to be on the water.
Local Seasons & Availability
Blackmouth season varies by year, but it typically runs November through April, with peak fishing in December through March.
- Winter Opportunity: When rivers close and other fisheries wind down, Puget Sound’s resident Chinook are still here.
- Prime Months: Late fall through early spring, depending on state regulations (check our calendar for open dates).
- Comfortable Trips: Our boats have heated cabins and enclosed heads, so you can fish comfortably even on chilly mornings.
Seattle’s mild winters mean that with the right gear — and the right guide — you can keep fishing all year long.
How We Fish for Blackmouth
Winter Chinook feed deep, which makes these trips a technical and rewarding challenge.
- Trolling Deep: Using downriggers to reach 100–130 feet, we run spoons, plugs, and herring to target feeding fish near the bottom.
- Light Tackle Feel: Even juvenile Kings fight hard — each strike on cold winter water is electric.
- Hands-On Learning: Guests who enjoy understanding the gear and presentation love these more methodical, skill-based charters.
It’s not unusual to hook into a solid 8- to 12-pound fish — and occasionally something much bigger.
Bonus: PNW Scenery & Wildlife
Winter on Puget Sound has a quiet beauty all its own. Snow-capped peaks frame the skyline, and with fewer boats on the water, you get a peaceful, almost private experience.
You might spot:
- Harbor seals and sea lions hunting alongside you
- Bald eagles perched against the gray-blue sky
- The Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountains dusted with winter snow
Even in the colder months, Puget Sound feels alive.
Trip Details
- Departures: Shilshole Bay Marina, Ballard — 10 minutes from downtown Seattle
- Trip Length: 6-hour standard charter
- Group Size: Shared (3–5 anglers) or private (up to 6 guests)
- What’s Included: Rods, reels, tackle, bait, fish cleaning, and bags (licenses available onboard)
- Season: Typically November–April (varies annually — check our calendar)
Guided by Seattle’s Year-Round Captains
Fish Finders Private Charters is one of the few operations that fishes Seattle through all four seasons.
- Local Expertise: Captain Carl Nyman and his partner guides have been running winter charters since 1994 — they know how to find fish when others stay home.
- Professional Gear: Every boat is equipped with heaters, top-tier electronics, and quality tackle to keep you comfortable and successful.
- Small-Group Focus: With 3–5 anglers on shared trips, you get personalized attention and more time on the rods.
- True Seattle Experience: These are the charters locals love — authentic, uncrowded, and filled with the raw beauty of Puget Sound.