Ultimate Guide to Puyallup River Fishing: Tips, Spots, and Best Seasons

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The Puyallup River offers fantastic fishing spots, like the 11th Avenue Bridge for pink salmon and McCutcheon Road for steelhead. Time your trip for Chinook and coho runs from August to October, and don't miss blackmouth salmon in November. Use medium-light rods with size 1/0 hooks and try drift fishing to tackle the river's current. You can spinner fish with size 3 spinners or jig during tide changes for best results. Remember, closed days fall on Sundays to Tuesdays, and it's vital to have your fishing license. Dive deeper into the techniques and tips that make every cast count.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime spots include 11th Avenue Bridge and East Main Avenue for salmon fishing.
  • The best seasons are August to September for Chinook and coho, and November for blackmouth.
  • Effective techniques include drift fishing and spinner fishing with size 3 spinners.
  • Essential gear includes medium-light rods, baitcasting reels, and polarized sunglasses.
  • Adhere to regulations like barbless hooks, fishing licenses, and weekly closures.

Prime Fishing Locations

When it comes to prime fishing locations on the Puyallup River, you'll find a variety of spots that promise rewarding catches. Start with the 11th Avenue Bridge, a favorite among anglers targeting pink salmon. Just upstream, East Main Avenue offers another excellent salmon fishing opportunity. If you're willing to venture off the beaten path, park at Houston Rd East and stroll downstream to the popular hole at 119th Ave East. It's renowned for its salmon activity.

For those interested in steelhead, McCutcheon Road provides reliable access. Alternatively, head to the public access point at 162 and 116th Street for a convenient entry to the river. If you're exploring further upstream, the Carbon River Confluence offers a quieter fishing experience with less pressure, while the Levee Road stretch downstream of the soccer field hole is perfect for fly fishing enthusiasts. As the Puyallup River receives a significant flow from glacial melt during the summer, it can offer unique fishing conditions compared to other seasons. Error 403 indicates that the server was unable to fulfill the request, which might be relevant if you encounter any access issues on fishing websites.

Don't overlook the diverse middle and upper river locations. Kanaskat Palmer Park offers upstream access, and the Hanging Gardens are reachable via logging roads, promising a serene fishing backdrop. Remember to carry your fishing license and respect tribal fishing rights to facilitate an enjoyable and ethical fishing experience.

Seasonal Fishing Opportunities

The Puyallup River offers a dynamic fishing experience that changes with the seasons, making it essential to know when to target specific species. From August to September, the river becomes a hotspot for Chinook and coho salmon, with notable activity during these months. However, timing your trip requires awareness of regulatory closures on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, and understanding how water levels and clarity impact success. In August and September, anglers are allowed to catch a daily limit of 6 salmon, with restrictions on the number of adult Chinook, coho, or chum that can be retained. Fall presents excellent opportunities, especially for coho salmon in September, peaking in the lower river sections. October sees a decline in Chinook, but you might still find blackmouth salmon near the river mouth in November. To enhance your catch, aim for afternoon or early evening fishing and explore multiple access points like the 11th Avenue Bridge. The Chinook salmon fishing season aligns with the spring run from March to June, offering anglers an extended period to target these prized fish.

Key seasonal pointers include:

  • August to September: Best for Chinook and coho salmon.
  • October: Chinook presence declines; focus on other species.
  • November: Target blackmouth salmon near the river mouth.
  • Regulatory Reminders: Adhere to gear restrictions and daily salmon limits.

Effective Fishing Techniques

For anglers seeking to master their craft on the Puyallup River, understanding effective fishing techniques can make all the difference between a fruitful outing and a day of missed opportunities. Drift fishing is a key technique here, ideal for covering the entire river from shore to shore. Make sure your weight setup bounces along the bottom at the current's speed. Adjust your weight to control your bait's drift—more weight slows it down, while less weight speeds it up. In low visibility, like the Puyallup, adaptations such as drift flossing can be highly effective. Using medium-light gear can give you a better feel for the riverbed and improve your chances of hooking pink salmon, making it an advantageous choice for these conditions.

Spinner fishing is another great tactic, especially when visibility is good. Cast your size 3 spinner slightly upstream, let it sink, then reel in gently to maintain that essential thump-thump-thump of the spinner blade. Squid spinners with pink hues are particularly tempting for pink salmon.

Jigging is perfect for those slow days when fish aren't actively feeding. The free fall of the jig often triggers bites, especially during tide changes. Keep your movements small and controlled—this subtlety can be the key to success. While jigging, consider the prime times of dawn, dusk, and tide changes, as these are often when salmon are most active in nearby areas like the South Sound. Master these techniques, and you'll increase your chances of landing that trophy fish.

Essential Fishing Gear

Picture yourself standing on the banks of the Puyallup River, ready to tackle the day's fishing adventure. Equipped with the right gear, you're set to confirm your chances of landing those prized salmon and steelhead.

  • Rods and Reels: Opt for medium-light to medium action rods, ideally 8.5-10 feet long for general river fishing. Choose bait casting or spinning reels, paired with a 15-30 pound line for drift fishing, or a 20-25 pound line for larger Chinook salmon. When targeting coho, pink, and sockeye salmon, consider a rod that matches the fighting characteristics of these species to improve your hook-to-land ratios, ensuring that your fishing technique is optimized.
  • Lures and Baits: Kwikfish lures wrapped with sardine fillets are salmon favorites. For drift fishing, experiment with corky, yarn, and egg loop setups. Don't forget popular baits like salmon roe and sand shrimp.
  • Terminal Tackle and Accessories: Use size 1/0 to 3/0 hooks for better hooking success. Snap swivels prevent line twist, and leaders between 12-48 inches ascertain versatility. Essential tools include nippers and pliers for easy handling. Keeping up-to-date on the latest terminal tackle innovations can further enhance your fishing success.
  • Additional Gear: Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and improve fish spotting. A fishing jacket and vest offer warmth and storage. Waders and boots provide stability, while release tools like pliers guarantee safe fish handling.

Important Regulations and Safety

Traversing the Puyallup River's fishing scene requires more than just skill and gear; comprehending critical regulations and safety measures is essential for a successful and responsible angling experience. First, guarantee you're licensed if you're 15 or older. Special endorsements for species like salmon and sturgeon, as well as catch record cards, are necessary. These documents can be obtained online, by phone, or from local dealers. Keep in mind, you'll need your social security number for license purchases. To ensure you have the required documentation, consider visiting a local dealer if you need an immediate catch record card or tag.

From August 16 to October 31, salmon fishing is open, but watch out for the weekly closures and night restrictions. During this period, follow gear regulations like using barbless hooks and adhering to anti-snagging rules. Trout fishing adheres to statewide limits, with a minimum size of 14 inches for cutthroat and rainbow trout. In addition, certain rivers such as the Lebar Creek in Mason County are designated as closed waters for all species, emphasizing the importance of knowing which areas are off-limits before planning your fishing trip.

Safety and access are equally important. Utilize public access points like the 11th Avenue Bridge and East Main Avenue, and be mindful of river conditions. Hiring a river guide can enhance your experience by leading you to preferred fishing spots. Remember, internal combustion motors are banned in specific areas, and certain zones are entirely closed to fishing. Respectful conduct towards other anglers and the Puyallup Indians' fishing rights is paramount.

General Fishing Tips

To maximize your success along the Puyallup River, selecting the right equipment and understanding the river conditions are key. Start by choosing a rod that's 6 to 7 feet long to ensure optimal casting and control. Pair it with a spinning reel for superior casting distance and durability, especially if you're targeting larger fish. Your choice of fishing line matters too; monofilament is user-friendly and durable, while fluorocarbon offers better underwater invisibility and feedback. When selecting your fishing line, consider that monofilament lines are inexpensive and easy to tie, making them ideal for beginners.

Understanding river conditions can make or break your fishing trip. Pay attention to water visibility, as techniques like drift fishing excel in the Puyallup's often low visibility. River flow and temperature also impact fish behavior. Rising water levels can push fish to more stable areas, while specific weather patterns may trigger feeding frenzies. Familiarize yourself with the river's structure to locate prime fishing spots. Techniques like drift fishing, where you cast upstream and let your line drift down with the current, are particularly effective in certain river conditions.

Here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

  • Check Conditions: Verify river conditions, weather, and fishing reports.
  • Set Up Properly: Ensure your gear matches the fishing style and target fish size.
  • Respect Others: Be courteous to fellow anglers.
  • Practice Patience: Fishing success often requires patience and practice.

Best Times to Fish

When it comes to fishing the Puyallup River, timing is everything. August marks the start of fall chinook salmon season, with fishing kicking off mid-month. Coho salmon also start appearing early, making August a prime time for salmon enthusiasts. Focus your efforts on the lower river segments, especially the stretch from the 11th Street Bridge to East Main, where you'll find the freshest catches. Remember, the fishery is open from August 16 to September 30 but closes on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. Also, adhere to night closures and anti-snagging rules during this period.

For chinook salmon, the river sees significant activity from late August to early September. The ideal daily limit allows for no more than two adult salmon, each at least 12 inches. Time your fishing trips during the afternoon and early evening when water temperatures are warm, boosting surface activity. Early mornings can also yield good results. Avoid very hot days, as fish tend to retreat to deeper waters. Look for stable temperatures or the hours preceding a cold front to maximize your catch. Access points like McCutcheon Road offer excellent opportunities for both salmon and steelhead fishing.

Consulting Local River Guides

Enlisting the expertise of local river guides can transform your Puyallup River fishing adventure into a truly rewarding experience. These professionals bring extensive knowledge of the river's best spots, ensuring you're fishing where the action is. By hiring a guide, you gain access to high-quality equipment and a variety of fishing techniques for different species, without the hassle of purchasing gear yourself. Tacoma offers a range of fishing techniques and target species, enriching your Puyallup River experience with diverse options.

To choose the right guide, consider their reputation. Look for high ratings and positive testimonials, which indicate a track record of satisfied clients. Guarantee your guide has:

  • Local Knowledge: Experience with Puyallup River's unique fishing conditions.
  • Professional Licenses: All necessary certifications and licenses.
  • Gear Quality: Access to superb rods, reels, and other equipment.
  • Cancellation Policies: Clear, fair refund and cancellation terms.

Local guides often offer fully guided trips that include instructions and gear rental. They can customize trips to fit your specific needs, whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner looking for lessons. Further, guides' familiarity with current river conditions and regulations ensures a safe, compliant, and successful fishing experience. By consulting local experts, you're setting yourself up for a memorable day on the Puyallup River. Additionally, some trips allow you to pay full amount online or on the trip day, providing flexibility in managing your booking.

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