My year doesn’t run on the calendar. It runs on salmon. People ask me when salmon season is in Washington, and the honest answer is that it depends on the fish and the year. Here’s what a year looks like for a commercial fisherman in Bellingham, season by season.
First, why slack tide
Slack tide is that short window between the tide coming in and going out, when the water goes still. Fishermen keep a close eye on it, because the tides decide when you can fish, where the fish will be and how hard the water’s going to push you around. It’s a good name for a fishing business, and a good reminder that out here, the water sets the schedule.
Spring: getting ready
Spring is for getting the boat and gear ready. Engines get serviced, gear gets fixed, and I’m usually in the shop welding something. It’s also when we’re watching for season announcements. Commercial salmon openings in Washington are set each year by state and tribal fishery managers, based on how many fish are expected back, so the dates move around from year to year.
May into summer: kings
King salmon kick off our season in May, depending on openings. Kings are the prize, big and rich, and the first fresh kings of the year are worth the wait. If you want first dibs, this is when the fresh fish list pays off.
Summer: sockeye and pinks
Summer brings sockeye, a lot of them passing our waters on the way to the Fraser River in Canada. In odd years, pink salmon show up too, and they come by the millions. Some summer days the water looks like it’s boiling with fish.
Late summer into fall: coho
Coho start showing up in late summer and carry us into fall. They’re one of my favorites to catch. They hit hard, they jump, and they eat great.
Fall into winter: chum
When the weather turns, chum take over. They run into November and December, which means cold, wet, dark days on the water, but the fish are worth it. Chum season is also when we get our roe for ikura.
Winter: the off season
Winter is quiet on the water. That’s when the boat comes out for repairs, I build and fix whatever needs it, and we plan for next year. It’s also why I’m such a believer in freezing fish right after the catch. The salmon we put up during the season is what we eat, and sell, all winter long.
Questions folks ask me
When is salmon season in Washington?
It depends on the species and the year. Kings usually start in late spring, sockeye and pinks come in summer, coho in late summer and fall, and chum in fall into winter.
Why do the dates change every year?
Managers set openings based on how many fish are expected to come back, so enough make it upriver to spawn.
Can I get wild salmon in winter?
Fresh, not really. That’s when fish frozen right after the catch is the way to go.
Why is the shop open by appointment?
Because when the tide’s right, I’m on the water. Text me at 360-927-1604 and I’ll make sure someone’s there.
Austin