Fishing on the Edmonds Pier
Widely considered the most heavily used public fishing pier in Puget Sound, Edmonds Pier offers something genuinely rare: a shot at salmon 365 days a year, right in the heart of a charming waterfront town. Between the salmon, lingcod, squid, and crab all within reach of the same L-shaped pier, it's easy to see why locals keep coming back. Add in stunning views of the Olympic Peninsula, passing ferries, and the occasional pod of orcas cruising past, and it's clear why this pier has earned its reputation as one of the busiest and most beloved fishing spots in the entire Sound.
Where is Edmonds Pier?
Edmonds Pier is located next to the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in downtown Edmonds, right beside the Edmonds Marina and within view of the Edmonds-Kingston ferry terminal. The L-shaped pier, rebuilt a few years ago as part of a $1.6 million renovation, extends out along a rock jetty into Puget Sound, offering views of the Olympic Peninsula, passing ferries, and frequently, orcas, seals, and sea lions. Edmonds itself is a walkable, small-town waterfront community with plenty of restaurants and shops just steps from the water, giving a trip to the pier an easy, relaxed feel beyond just the fishing.
From downtown Seattle, Edmonds is roughly 30 minutes north, generally via I-5 and Highway 104, making it a straightforward day trip for city-based anglers. The pier sits right next to a visitor center, restrooms, and ample parking, and it's open to the public 24 hours a day, year-round, making it one of the more convenient and accessible fishing spots in the entire Puget Sound region.
Edmonds Pier Map
What You Can Catch at Edmonds Pier
Edmonds Pier offers a genuinely wide variety of species. Salmon fishing here includes Chinook, coho, pink, and chum, with anglers targeting them near the pylons using jigs or weighted lures. Lingcod, prized as much for their fight as their taste, are a favorite target each spring, alongside rockfish, cabezon, greenling, flounder, sculpin, and other bottomfish. Squid jigging is popular here as well, particularly at night when the pier lights draw them in close. Crabbing rounds out the pier's appeal, with Dungeness, red rock, and Tanner crab all available to anglers dropping baited pots off the pier. Uniquely among Puget Sound's public piers, Edmonds is open to salmon fishing year-round, though a two-fish bag limit applies to salmon caught here, and current WDFW rules should always be checked before keeping any catch given how often regulations can shift.
Edmonds Pier Fishing Seasons
Salmon: Unlike most Puget Sound fisheries, salmon fishing at Edmonds Pier is open year-round, a fact that surprises many boat anglers unfamiliar with the pier's special status. King salmon fishing typically builds through July and peaks in the first week of August (but resident Chinook/King are available year round), with coho, pink, and chum providing additional opportunities later in the season. Cast metal jigs like a Puget Pounder, Crippled Herring or Buzz Bomb to catch salmon from this pier.
Squid: Squid jigging is best in the cooler months, typically fall and winter, when squid move into Puget Sound to spawn and gather around the lit pier after dark, though some summer evenings can also produce a good squid bite. Carry a variety of squid jigs with you in several different sizes and colors.
Lingcod: Lingcod season typically opens in early May and runs into mid-June, drawing dedicated anglers to fish near the pylons and rocky jetty where these toothy bottom dwellers like to hold. They can grow up to four feet long, and while their sharp teeth and prehistoric look make them intimidating to handle, they're prized as much for their fight as for their taste, making lingcod season one of the most anticipated stretches of the year at the pier. Fishing with live pile perch or flounder is a good bet, as is soft plastics like P-Line Twin Tails on a lead jighead or Electric Eels.
Crab: Crabbing is popular at Edmonds Pier during Marine Area 9's open season, though there's no crabbing allowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, which are set aside specifically for anglers fishing with a rod. Checking current WDFW season dates and catch record card requirements before dropping a pot is essential. Drop down your crab ring, or cast out a crab snare with our Okuma Crab Snare Spinning Combo.
Flounder: Flounder and other bottomfish are available at Edmonds Pier much of the year, offering a reliable option for anglers looking for something to target between salmon runs, though action can slow somewhat during the coldest winter months. Use a Berkley Gulp! 2” Sand Worm on a sliding egg sinker rig.
Fishing on Edmonds Pier
Many salmon anglers here have success with a 2-ounce lure and a single barbless hook, particularly during the peak king salmon push in late July and early August. Crabbing seasons are posted on WDFW Crab seasons and areas page. For crabbing, dropping a pot or ring baited with salmon carcass, a turkey leg, or chicken and letting it sit for a few hours before pulling it up is the standard approach, though remember crabbing isn't permitted on Tuesdays or Wednesdays during the official crab season. Because Edmonds Pier is so heavily used, arriving early for a good spot near the pylons or the end of the jetty is worth the effort, especially during peak salmon season. A valid Washington fishing or shellfishing license is required depending on what you're targeting, and both are easy to purchase online before your trip. With its rare year-round salmon season, genuine species variety, and easy access from Seattle, Edmonds Pier remains one of the best all-around fishing destinations in Puget Sound.
