It’s time to think pink salmon!

The run forecast and this season’s kick-off

By Mark Yuasa/WDFW

Please note: A pink salmon non-retention rule is in effect for anglers fishing in Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner).

The hype of what is expected to be “pink-tastic” summer fishing in Puget Sound began in June when pink salmon started to appear in catches around Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area).

This early signal comes as no surprise given the fact that a pink salmon forecast of nearly 7.8 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — is expected to flood into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.

If the forecast becomes a reality, then this pink salmon return could be the third largest on record, up from a 2023 forecast of 3.95 million and an actual return of 7.22 million.

“This year in Washington, we’re expecting to see a strong return of pink salmon that could be in the top five of our records going back to 1959,” said Matthew Bogaard, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife statewide chum, pink, and sockeye salmon species specialist. “Throughout the North Pacific, pink salmon are the most abundant salmon species, making up 70% of all the Pacific salmon species.”

According to Bogaard, the Fraser River in southern British Columbia is expecting a pink salmon forecast of 27 million, which will definitely contribute to fisheries in the northern marine areas such as the San Juan Islands.

A breakdown of the 2025 pink salmon forecasts:

Green River: 1,835,366
Hood Canal: 2,414,207
Nisqually River: 1,503,704
Nooksack River: 97,370
Skagit River: 117,322
Snohomish River: 315,942
Puyallup River: 709,292
Strait of Juan de Fuca: 294,503
South Sound Misc.: 503.

The one exception in 2025 is a Stillaguamish River pink salmon forecast of 117,322, which is low compared to past years, and there are fishing restrictions along the migration highway from marine areas into the river.

Rules and regulations may change at any time. Before heading out, make sure you have the appropriate recreational fishing license and be sure to take the following steps:

Download and read the annual fishing pamphlet, which details rules and regulations statewide.
Check for any emergency rule changes affecting the species or location you’re fishing.
Download the Fish Washington^® mobile app, which provides up-to-date fishing regulations on your mobile device.

Be sure to read on in our Think Pink Salmon blogs below to learn more about this exciting odd-year opportunity. You’ll find posts on pink salmon identification, strategies, gear, and plenty of tips from WDFW staff to help you put wild food on your table. Tight lines to you and enjoy fishing Washington!