The summer boating and fishing season is flying by, and I wanted to share a quick update on what’s happening in Area 7 (San Juan Islands). I’ll be putting out a monthly note with the latest happenings, so please feel free to share your fishing experiences, pictures, and any comments you may have!
Before you head out, be sure to check the latest Washington State fishing regulations here: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Fishing Update:
- Pink Salmon: They’re running in huge numbers right now, and it’s nearly impossible not to catch a bunch of them! I haven’t seen many Coho caught yet, but they should be hitting any time now. Keep in mind that wild Coho must be released until September 7, after which you can keep wild Coho until September 30.
- Coho Run: The rumors are that it should be a good Coho run this year, so stay tuned—it could be happening now!
- Halibut: Reopened on August 16 and running through September 30 (unless the quota is met sooner). I’ve heard from a couple of boats that they’ve caught some nice “chicken” halibut around 15 lbs. They may be on the smaller side, but with around 10 lbs of meat, they’re great eating! I plan to get out there next week and will update you on my experience.
- Crabbing: Open Thursday through Monday until September 29. It took me some time to find them, but with some fresh pink salmon bait, I managed to get a bunch of large, meaty crabs. They’re out there, and they’re big! Please share your catches, pictures, and any tips you have for future updates.
Fishing Regulations for Area 7 (San Juan Islands):
- Crab Season:
Open Thursday through Monday, now through September 29, 2025. - Salmon Season:
Aug 1 – Sept 6: No minimum size. Daily limit is 2 salmon, plus 2 additional pinks. Release Chinook, chum, sockeye, and wild Coho.
Sept 7 – Sept 30: No minimum size. Daily limit is 2 salmon, plus 2 additional pinks. Release Chinook, sockeye, and chum.
- Halibut:
Reopened from August 16 through September 30, but fishing may close before the end of the month if the quota is met.
Looking forward to hearing about your fishing adventures! Please keep us updated with your catches, and feel free to send any pictures or suggestions for future content.
Tight lines!
John Zaborsky
Lopez Island Yacht Club ● P O Box 22 ● Lopez Island, WA 98261.
Fishing Update – August 26
I’ve been off the island recently, so I haven’t been out fishing myself, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Area 7 creel reports. So far, coho numbers have been pretty low.
The good news? I just got an email from BJ and Peter Christensen — they were out this morning and hooked four coho, boating one hatchery. Sounds like the fish are finally starting to show up!
I’d expect bigger numbers to start rolling in very soon, so get out there while it heats up. And please share your results — would love to hear how others are doing out on the water.
John Z
JZ Report Update – 8/31
Had a great morning out at Eagle Point today! Two of us hit the water early and it was non-stop action. We released at least 10 wild coho, plus two nice king salmon. We also released a bunch of pinks just because we have so many of them, and we lost a bunch of fish that we never saw! We came back with two beautiful hatchery coho to wrap up the day.
It was one of those days where the bites kept coming, making for a really fun outing with some solid meals to take home.
If you’re thinking about heading out, now’s the time! Starting September 7th, you’ll be able to keep wild coho. Get out there and let us know what you’re catching!
Tight lines! 🎣JZ
Z Report Update – Eagle Point 9/3
Steve Tilles and I headed out to Eagle Point on 9/3 around 1700 for a quick evening session. A short-duration swell was hitting us broadside while trolling—made for some unexpected physical therapy!
We released (okay… lost) quite a few fish, but managed to bring home a nice hatchery Coho and a couple of pinks. There’s a lot of fish out there right now, so get out while it’s hot—and don’t forget to post your report!
Z Report Update 9/7
My neighbor Mike and I headed out midday with the goal of catching a couple of coho. I know I’ve been fishing quite a bit lately, but in my defense, I’ve given away all of them, so I was looking to put a few in the freezer for winter.
We got our first two coho in about 15 minutes. After that, the bite shifted to pinks — pink after pink — for about an hour. Eventually, we managed to catch our last two to reach our limit on coho.
The fishing has been excellent out there lately, so if you’re looking to go fishing, I highly recommend it. Please write a report if you head out; I’d love to hear how you do.
Cheers!