Salmon Fishing Advice around the NW section of the San Juan Islands

[Adam B.]

I was going to be in the NW section of the San Juan Islands on the weekend from July 15th to 18th to do some crabbing, but was looking for advice on areas to go salmon fishing close by. We will be staying on Sturart Island and looking for something close by (Turn Piont area, by Henry Island around Roche Harbor, ect.?). I have never fished these areas so any advice would be helpfull. Thank you all in advance.

Adam

[wintersteelhead]

The shoreline close to Lime Kiln Point has, in the past, been a path for the migratory kings. I have fished it twice since it opened and found tons of bait but no fish yet.

[Matt]

I don't see him post around too much as of late but try and contact Rollin With Rolland, he is a member from up there and is very knowledgeable about fishing up there.

Good luck. There are several points off of Orcas Island that are good go to's including Pt. Lawrence, try to find a "fish-n-map" if you can, they highlight most of the really good producing areas.

Lemme know if you are not familiar with these maps, they can be found in most good marine stores and I know LFS in downtown B'ham has them for area 7.

[Rollin with Rolland]

Should be some great crabbing Adam B. I do fish that area quite a bit, but that is mainly for bottomfish. I have never actually fished up there for salmon, and still consider myself a greenhorn when it comes to salmon fishing. I do know this: the area7 salmon season is off to a slow start (skunked on the opener for me), BUT a few of the guys I have heard/talked to say give it a couple weeks and then start evaluating the run. Sounds like more Blackmouth (resident) being caught right now, with hopefully the migratory Kings showing up SOON. By the 15th, it may heat up. I would listen to wintersteelhead, the lime kiln area is a know spot, but a little father than you were suggesting. I would think Turn point may hold some bait, and fish. Anywhere along Haro strait should have kings, provided the bait is around. And it sounds like no shortage of bait this year. Just gotta experiment. Here, if you haven't checked this out, very helpful.

online noaa charts

#18432 and #18433 are that area.

Good luck, if you get anything worth reporting, let us know!

[Adam B.]

I will look at getting one of those "fish-n-map" for the area. I will probably try close to Sturat first to see if the bait is around, then try to venture farther out. I would think Lime Kiln might be as far as I would go, or the wife would like to go. I have been crabbing near Stuart for the past few years on opening weekend and have always done very good with large males and having to through many back after getting our limits. After crabbing localy this weekend, it would be a nice change.

Adam B.

[racfish]

I have always found that if an area is open for salmon mooching herring or trolling plug cuts usually brings a hit if fish are around.The area if I'm not mistaken is jagged rock near the bottom as I 've seen on depth imagery.To me you cant go wrong with herring for salmon.Id be leary of using downriggers in a area like the San Juans. Just my 2 cents worth.