Species guide · Washington
Kelp greenling fishing in Washington
Hexagrammos decagrammus, a nearshore species also called greenling, sea trout and rock trout. Listed for the Pacific Northwest region. Peak season, about 3 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca at 70, one of 8 Washington bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Pacific Northwest
Peak season, about 3 more weeks- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Peak season
- Nov: Peak season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.
Research notes, Pacific Northwest region
ODFW: spawning runs July to January with most eggs laid in the fall, and October and November are the best months for larger mature greenling, followed by spring. Common from jetties, rocky shores and estuary mouths.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 8
Washington bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's kelp greenling score this hour.
Best window today 7-11 AM (82) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (83) · 27 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-1 PM (83) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (84) · 11 named spots
Best window today 7-10 AM (80) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (82) · 20 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-3 PM (81) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (85) · 23 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-3 PM (83) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (84) · 308 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-4 PM (80) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (83) · 268 named spots
Best window today 7 AM-2 PM (81) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (83) · 22 named spots
Best window today 3 AM-12 AM (20) · Best day Tue, Nov 3 at 12 AM (20) · 8 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 44°F to 62°F, best between 48°F and 56°F.
- Water depth
- 3 to 80 ft of water.
- Structure
- Kelp, jetty, reef, point and estuary, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with light current.Jetty and rocky-shore anglers generally do best as the incoming tide floods the rocks. Tide guidance is guide consensus; ODFW's species sheet only advises starting in the morning and fishing rocky reef areas.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Kelp greenling are solitary bottom fish of rocky shores, jetties and kelp beds, usually in water shallower than 60 feet. Use a small number 4 to 6 hook with sand shrimp or marine worms, or a small lead-head grub, dropped to the bottom and reeled up slightly. Larger fish show in October and November when they spawn close to shore, and mornings tend to fish best.
- Methods
- bottom fishing from jetties and rocky shore, light jigging, kayak fishing, fly fishing
- Lures
- small lead-head jigs with grubs, small swimbaits, shrimp flies
- Bait
- sand shrimp, marine worms, mussels, clam necks, squid
Regulations
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with WDFW Nov 2, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
No retention
Season: Oct 18, 2026 to Mar 12, 2027
Changes to check regulations on Mar 13, 2027
Closed until the 2027 season opens.
WDFW Columbia River halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026
No retention
Season: Oct 18, 2026 to Mar 12, 2027
Changes to check regulations on Mar 13, 2027
Closed until the 2027 season opens.
WDFW South Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026
No retention
Season: Oct 18, 2026 to Mar 12, 2027
Changes to check regulations on Mar 13, 2027
Closed until the 2027 season opens.
WDFW North Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026
Season: Oct 18, 2026 to Mar 12, 2027
Changes to check regulations on Mar 13, 2027
West of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line: closed. East of the line: open year-round within the 9 bottomfish daily limit, but bottomfish fishing is prohibited seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line.
WDFW North Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026