Washington Fishing Pier Directory

Every Fishing Pier in Washington

1,651+ fishing piers across Washington. Saltwater, freshwater, and river access. 238 named piers with details.

Washington has 1,651 piers spanning Puget Sound's 2,500+ miles of saltwater shoreline, the Columbia River from Astoria-Megler to the inland gorges, the Pacific coast from Westport to Neah Bay, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the freshwater Lake Washington and Lake Union complex within Seattle, and the inland reservoirs of central and eastern Washington. Whether you're salmon-fishing off the Edmonds Pier on a fall king run, crabbing for Dungeness off the Mukilteo Pier, casting for sturgeon on the Astoria-Megler Bridge, or jigging for walleye at a Banks Lake pier, the directory below shows piers with verified locations, public-access status, parking availability, and amenity details.

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The Complete Guide

Washington's Pier Landscape

Washington runs the most varied saltwater-and-freshwater pier market in the Pacific Northwest, supported by Puget Sound's 2,500+ miles of shoreline plus the Columbia River and inland reservoir systems. Puget Sound public fishing piers — Edmonds, Mukilteo, Des Moines, Seacrest (West Seattle), Redondo, Dash Point, Kayak Point, Bremerton — host one of the country's most active saltwater pier fishing scenes. These piers double as crabbing platforms, an unusual feature compared to most U.S. states: Dungeness crab, red rock crab, and shrimp are catchable from public piers during open seasons (typically July-September for Dungeness), creating a dedicated crabbing-from-piers culture that doesn't exist anywhere else in the country. Salmon fishing from Sound piers focuses on coho, pink, and chum runs from late summer through fall; chinook are catchable but heavily restricted. The Pacific coast at Westport, Ilwaco, La Push, Neah Bay, and Sekiu offers offshore-charter pier access plus surf-perch and rockfish piers. The Columbia River corridor supports sturgeon, walleye, salmon, steelhead, and smallmouth bass piers from Astoria through Vancouver, Hood River, The Dalles, Umatilla, and Tri-Cities. The Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands host quieter piers with halibut and lingcod focus. Inland, Lake Washington and Lake Union within Seattle support smallmouth bass and trout piers; Lake Roosevelt, Banks Lake, Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, Lake Chelan, Lake Wenatchee, and the Spokane River corridor host walleye, kokanee, rainbow trout, and lake trout piers.

Salmon Seasons, Tides, and Crabbing-From-Piers

Three Washington-specific factors shape every pier outing. Salmon seasons are tightly regulated by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) and adjusted yearly based on returns — coho and pink salmon are the most reliably catchable from public piers during open seasons, typically late August through October on Puget Sound. Chinook salmon piers are heavily restricted and often closed to retention. Always check current WDFW emergency rules before fishing — Marine Areas 8-13 each have separate seasons and rules that change in-season. Tides are substantial and matter on Puget Sound piers (8-14 foot ranges typical) — fishing is best on the moving tide periods, with slack-tide bites generally weaker. Crabbing-from-piers is one of the most uniquely Washington pier activities: Dungeness crab season on Puget Sound typically runs July through Labor Day; red rock crab is open year-round. Most pier crabbing requires a Washington Catch Record Card (CRC, free) plus a fishing license. Pier crabbing is allowed at most public Sound piers — Edmonds, Mukilteo, Des Moines, and Seacrest are particularly popular. Public piers are mostly free or low-fee; some county and state-park piers charge $4-10 daily. A Washington fishing license is required for anyone 15+; the license costs $30-58 depending on residency and salt/freshwater coverage.

Regional Patterns Across the State

Washington's pier market splits into five distinct regions. Puget Sound (King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston counties): largest concentration, year-round saltwater pier fishing, salmon and crab focus, urban-shore pier density unmatched on the West Coast, accessible to over 70% of the state's population. North Sound and San Juan Islands (Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan, Island counties): quieter pier scene, halibut and lingcod focus, more limited public-pier access on the islands themselves but strong on Bellingham, Anacortes, and Port Townsend. Pacific coast (Grays Harbor, Pacific, Clallam, Jefferson counties): offshore-charter pier access at Westport and Ilwaco, surf-perch and rockfish piers, smaller working coastal harbors with weather-dependent access. Columbia River corridor (Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, Benton, Franklin counties): sturgeon, walleye, salmon, steelhead, and smallmouth bass piers extending from Astoria through Hood River and the Tri-Cities. Eastern Washington reservoirs and rivers (Spokane, Lincoln, Grant, Adams, Okanogan, Chelan, Yakima counties): inland-lake pier fishing for walleye, kokanee, rainbow trout, and lake trout — Lake Roosevelt, Banks Lake, Moses Lake, Lake Chelan, and the Spokane River dominate. The directory above includes coverage across all five regions.

All 2607 Washington Fishing Piers

Additional Fishing Spots

Washington Pier Fishing FAQ

How many fishing piers are in Washington?

PierSeeker lists 1651+ fishing piers, docks, and jetties across Washington.

Do I need a fishing license in Washington?

Most states require a fishing license even when fishing from a public pier. Check Washington's fish and wildlife department for current requirements.

What fish can I catch from piers in Washington?

Popular catches from Washington piers include salmon, steelhead, and halibut. Species vary by location and season.

Are fishing piers in Washington free?

Many fishing piers in Washington are free to access. Some popular piers may charge a small fee during peak season.

Is PierSeeker free?

Yes, completely free. No login, no account, no fees. Just find your pier and go fish.

Can I crab from public piers in Washington?

Yes — Washington is one of the few states where public-pier crabbing is a major activity. Dungeness crab season on Puget Sound typically runs July through Labor Day; red rock crab is open year-round. Edmonds, Mukilteo, Des Moines, Seacrest, Redondo, and Dash Point piers are popular crabbing destinations. You'll need a Washington fishing license plus a Catch Record Card (CRC, free) endorsement. Crab pots, rings, and snares are allowed; legal-size measurement is required, and only male Dungeness can be retained.

Do I need a Washington fishing license to fish from a pier?

Yes — Washington fishing licenses are required for anyone 15 or older fishing from any pier, including saltwater piers. License costs run $30-58 depending on residency and salt/freshwater coverage. A separate Catch Record Card (CRC, free) is required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. Two-day permits are available for short trips. All licenses are issued through WDFW's online portal or at most tackle shops.

What's the salmon fishing season on Washington Puget Sound piers?

Coho salmon (silver) season typically runs late August through October on most Puget Sound piers. Pink salmon (humpy) run odd-numbered years, peaking in August. Chinook salmon (king) is heavily restricted and often closed to retention from Sound piers; check WDFW emergency regulations before fishing. Chum salmon run November-December at some piers. Salmon seasons are adjusted yearly based on returns; Marine Areas 8-13 each have separate rules. Confirm current dates and limits with WDFW before each trip.

Fishing Tips & Guides

Safety

Fishing Pier Safety Tips: Avoid the Trip That Ends in the Water

Fishing pier safety tips that actually matter. Lightning, slip hazards, casting etiquette, and what to do if you or some...

Pier Fishing Tide Charts: How to Read Them and When Fish Actually Bite

Pier fishing tide charts explained. Which tides produce the best bite, how to read NOAA charts, and the 2-hour windows y...

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