Salmon in Washington in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see salmon in Washington. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,002 of the 5,870 sightings logged across the year (17.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for salmon in Washington
17.1%
of yearly sightings
1,002
records in October
#2
busiest month of 12
5,870
verified records a year
September 13.8%, October 17.1%, November 18.4%. Busiest month is November at 18.4%.
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 |
In Washington, October carries 17.1% of the year's salmon sightings, about 8.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (13.8%) into October, and it heads toward November (18.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The salmon most often recorded in Washington are Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon and Chinook Salmon. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which salmon you are most likely to see
- Coho Salmon1,054 records
- Chum Salmon842 records
- Chinook Salmon750 records
- Rainbow Trout682 records
- Coastal Cutthroat Trout451 records
- Sockeye Salmon371 records
Plan your salmon trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main salmon viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best salmon viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a salmon tour in Washington
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see salmon in Washington in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 1,002 of the 5,870 verified salmon sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 17.1% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see salmon in Washington?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of November, October and September.
What month is best for salmon in Washington?+
November is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through November, October and September, based on 5,870 verified observations.
Which salmon are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon and Chinook Salmon, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See salmon in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington