Best Time to See Salmon in Washington
November, October and September is the best time to see salmon in Washington. Based on 5,870 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when salmon are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Coastal Rainbow Trout · zookanthos CC BY
Pink Salmon · Mara Christensen CC BY
Coastal Rainbow Trout · Tom Field CC BY
5,870 verified observations of salmon in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When salmon are recorded in Washington
Peak month
November
1,078 records (18.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 125 | 2.1% |
| February | 108 | 1.8% |
| March | 165 | 2.8% |
| April | 309 | 5.3% |
| May | 398 | 6.8% |
| June | 442 | 7.5% |
| July | 577 | 9.8% |
| August | 626 | 10.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 809 | 13.8% |
| Octoberpeak | 1,002 | 17.1% |
| Novemberpeak | 1,078 | 18.4% |
| December | 231 | 3.9% |
Salmon you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Coho Salmon | 1,054 |
| Chum Salmon | 842 |
| Chinook Salmon | 750 |
| Rainbow Trout | 682 |
| Coastal Cutthroat Trout | 451 |
| Sockeye Salmon | 371 |
| Pink Salmon | 369 |
| Westslope Cutthroat Trout | 169 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when salmon are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for salmon sit around 29 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sepbest time | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Octbest time | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Novbest time | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on salmon in Washington:
Sightings of salmon in Washington peak in November, when 1,078 of the year's 5,870 verified observations are logged — about 18.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through November, October and September.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when salmon are hardest to find — February sees just 108 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The salmon you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon and Chinook Salmon — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see salmon in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see salmon in Washington?+
November is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through November, October and September, based on 5,870 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are salmon hardest to see in Washington?+
February is the quietest month for salmon in Washington, with only 108 verified records.
Are salmon active year-round in Washington?+
Salmon are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in November.
More places to see salmon
More wildlife in Washington