When Pink Salmon come back to Puget Sound, they add a special buzz to the waters here, which are already very exciting. Every summer, we all try our best to go fishing for Chinook and Coho Salmon. But every other year, like 2023 and 2025, millions of Pink Salmon come back to the Sound. 9 Million Pink Salmon returning). For people who are new to fishing in our local saltwater, Pink Salmon are also known as Humpy Salmon or Humpies. Everyone will have a great chance when they come back, but those who are new to salmon trolling will have a great time. The pink salmon will help you find an easy catch, and fishing for them will give your boat guests who have been waiting to catch their first salmon a lot of hope!
Pink salmon, also known as humpies, are one of the most popular and abundant salmon species found in the Pacific Northwest Their predictable two-year cycles and aggressive biting make them a favorite target for anglers of all skill levels This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know to catch pink salmon.
Pink salmon have a two-year lifecycle, unlike other salmon species which can live up to 7 years. Every odd year, millions of juvenile pink salmon hatch and migrate out to sea. When they return two years later as adults anglers flock to the rivers waiting for epic action.
The pink salmon’s aggressive nature and abundance are what make them so popular to catch Their name “humpy” comes from the pronounced hump that develops on the backs of males as they mature Compared to other salmon species, pinks are the smallest in size, but they make up for it with acrobatic leaps and drag-screaming runs when hooked.
Not all anglers like pinks, but when caught fresh, they make great food and make the fishing very exciting. Because they have a lot of oil, you can smoke fillets or make salmon spread and patties with them.
When and Where to Find Pink Salmon
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Pink salmon runs occur every odd year in the Pacific Northwest. Major runs happen during August and September.
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Rivers like the Puyallup, Green, Snohomish, and Nisqually in Puget Sound are good places to look for pink salmon. Beach fishing spots like Dash Point and Browns Point also produce fish.
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Look for pinks entering the Columbia River and its tributaries like the Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers in late summer.
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Pink salmon will range as far north as Alaska and as far south as California, so most major river systems along the Pacific Coast will see runs.
Fishing Techniques for Pink Salmon
There are many effective techniques for catching pink salmon. Choosing the right approach depends on the location and conditions where you’ll be fishing.
Drift Fishing
Drift fishing allows your bait or lure to tick along the river bottom naturally with the current. It’s extremely effective in glacial rivers like the Puyallup where visibility is low. Using a float adds more control to your drift.
Gear: Light spinning rod, floating corkie/yarn rigs, shrimp or krill bait
Twitching Jigs
Twitching jigs mimics wounded baitfish behavior. Jerk the rod tip upward, lowering quickly to let the jig flutter down. Pink salmon strike on the fall. Add a pink curly tail for more action.
Gear: Light spinning rod, 1/4 to 1/2 ounce pink or white marabou jigs
Spinners and Spoons
Cast classic spinners, spoons, and spinner baits across soft seams where pinks hold. Let the lure sink briefly before a slow, steady retrieve. Add pink colored skirts for increased bites.
Gear: Light spinning rod, Mepps and Blue Fox spinners, pink Krusha spoons
Float Fishing
Suspend baits like shrimp, eggs, or jigs under a casting bubble or bobber. Let the rig drift naturally in slower water. Use polarized glasses to watch for subtle bites.
Gear: Light spinning rod, size 4-6 casting bubble, pink jigs and bait
Best Pink Salmon Lures and Baits
- Pink or orange yarn rigs
- Shrimp
- Krill
- Pink marabou jigs
- Buzz Bombs
- Mepps and Blue Fox spinners
- Pink spoons like the Krusha
- Dick Nite lures
- Cured eggs
Pink Salmon Fishing Tips and Tactics
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Fish near river mouths early in the season. Pinks first enter the sound before heading upstream.
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Use lighter tackle around 6-10 lbs test. Pinks are aggressive biters and light line increases fun.
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Add scents like shrimp or krill to your baits and lures for increased strikes.
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Target soft inside seams and frog water out of the main current. Pinks use these as holding spots.
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Keep bait near the bottom. Drift rigs work well due to their hang time near the bottom.
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Sort through your catch and keep the bright chrome fish. Darker colored pinks may be near spawning.
Handling and Cooking Pink Salmon
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Dispatch landed pinks quickly with a sharp blow to the head. Use a priest to quickly kill fish kept for eating.
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Keep pinks chilled on ice after catching. Fillet and freeze the same day for best quality.
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Grilled pink salmon makes excellent fish tacos and sandwiches. Baste fillets with a sweet glaze.
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Hot smoke pink fillets to firm up the texture. Use traditional brines or brown sugar rubs before smoking.
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Canned pink salmon makes an easy, nutritious addition to pasta salads, sandwiches, and fish cakes.
So grab your gear and get ready for some epic pink salmon fishing this year! Follow this complete guide and you’ll fill your freezer with delicious pinks in no time.
Where to Fish for Pink Salmon in Puget Sound
When pink salmon go back to their home rivers, they take a wide route. There are many wide areas in Puget Sound that are great for fishing. In the different parts of the Sound, these are the general areas where most people have success: If you are fishing from shore, scroll down to see a few great places to go.
How Deep do I Troll for Pink Salmon?
No matter how deep the water is in Puget Sound, the most Pink Salmon can be found in the top 100 feet. Even in the shipping lanes, which can reach depths of 900′. On many occasions, when I have been searching for Pinks, we will see jumpers. Early in the morning, I like to troll a couple lines near the surface. We use a 3 to 4 ounce mooching sinker to get a spoon out of the back, but downriggers do most of the work. Downriggers can be set at depths of 25′ to 60′ for most of the time. If the sun is out, we will go as deep as 100 feet when we fish in the late morning or afternoon.
The BEST Way To Catch PINK SALMON (Complete Setup + Tutorial)
FAQ
What is the best bait for pink salmon?
Are pink salmon hard to catch?
When to fish for pink salmon?
What is the best hook for pink salmon?
What is the best way to catch pink salmon?
Anglers trolling with downriggers or jigging with spoons catch appreciable numbers or pink salmon in the deeper waters of the St. Marys in the weeks before the fish make their way into the rapids. Great Lakes pink salmon eat a variety of fish and other aquatic animals.
What is the difference between pink salmon and other Pacific salmon?
Pink salmon can be distinguished from other Pacific salmon by the large dark oval spots on their back and entire tail fin as well as their general coloring and form. In the sea, pink salmon are steel blue to blue-green on the back, silver on the sides, and white on the belly.
What is the average weight of a pink salmon?
Some people call the resulting fish “chumpys”. Pink salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon found in North America weighing on average between 3.5 and 5 pounds, with an average length of 20-25 inches. As with all members of the salmon family, pink salmon are coldwater fish.
Where can you find pink salmon?
Pink salmon are found on both sides of the North Pacific, from Alaska to Puget Sound in Washington State and from Russia to North Korea. In North America, they’re found from the Arctic coast in Alaska and territories in Canada to central California, although they do not reproduce in significant numbers south of Puget Sound.