Best Spots in San Juan Islands for Your Fishing Escapade

The San Juan Islands, located in the Pacific Northwest corner of Washington State, are full of picturesque attractions, diverse natural beauty, rocky shores, sandy beaches, towering forests and beautiful lakes. One unique feature of San Juan County that make this destination popular among avid fishermen is its rich protected saltwater sea and freshwater lakes. The waters surrounding these islands are refreshingly calm and can be easily accessed via private yacht fishing charters. Fishing in the San Juans is decidedly a pleasurable experience, and you can charter your own private fishing yacht to fish these best spots of San Juan Islands:

## Halibut Fishing in The Strait of Juan de Fuca

The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a large body of water that is the outlet of Salish Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Protected from harsh weather and water conditions, the Strait of Juan de Fuca is widely popular with halibut anglers. The Strait of Juan is known for excellent summer and winter salmon fishing, superb bottomfishing, such as halibut and lingcod, and pink salmon fishing from mid-July to mid-August in Dungeness Bay. Some of the Straits of Juan de Fuca's top halibut fishing spots include Neah Bay, Sekiu, Freshwater Bay, Lyre River, Twin Rivers, Hein Bank, and Middle Bank.

## Freshwater Fishing in Sportsman’s Lake

This medium sized lake located 3.5 miles away from Friday Harbor is popular with avid fishermen. Sportsman's Lake hosts to the best freshwater fishing in the San Juan Islands and is open to fishing year-round. You can fish for a variety of fish species such as largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, and yellow perch. The lake also has a public fishing ramp that serves as the access point for fishing.

## Salmon and Halibut Fishing in Eastsound 

Eastsound is the largest village on Orcas Island. Salmon Season in Eastsound opens in the month of  July. You can expect to catch salmon fish ranging from 25-30 lbs to up to 129 lbs. August and September months are great for fishing Coho and Chum Salmon. May month is the Halibut and lingcod season in Eastsound. You can catch halibut ranging from 25 -70lbs, and even as much as 200 pounds.

## Scenic Fishing Location - Marine Area 7

Marine Area 7 includes Bellingham bay, Samish bay, Padilla bay and the majority of the San Juan marine waters. All 5 species of salmon and bottomfish species such as Lingcod, Cabezon, Chinook, Sockeye, and Pink Salmon can be found in the waters surrounding this area.  Fishing resident salmon in winter is a unique opportunity to catch salmon in the 'off-season.'

## Freshwater Fishing in Moran State Park

Moran State Park, located on Orcas Island, boasts over 5,000 acres of protected land to explore for landlubbers, but did you know the park also offers five different freshwater lakes for avid anglers? Cascade Lake, Twin Lakes, Mountain Lake and Summit Lake all provide amazing fishing opportunities during your fishing trip. Fish species such as Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Stocked Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and Largemouth Bass are found in abundance within these lakes.

The 700 plus islands in the San Juan archipelago are home to hundreds of harbors, lakes and hidden coves. Fishing in the San Juan Islands is an exciting adventure and the type of fish species that can be caught varies from season to season. Though sport fishing is available year round, most big species of salmon, halibut, trout, and bass can be caught from the month of July-November. What could be a better way to explore and fish the scenic fishing spots of San Juan Islands than chartering your own private Pacific Northwest fishing yacht or boat rental. Private Boat Charter + Best Fishing Grounds = Amazing Fishing Getaway!