Species guide · Washington
Sablefish fishing in Washington
Anoplopoma fimbria, a bottom species also called black cod, blackcod and butterfish. Listed for the Pacific Northwest region. Shoulder season, about 2 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca at 54, one of 8 Washington bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Pacific Northwest
Shoulder season, about 2 more weeks- Jan: Not present
- Feb: Not present
- Mar: Not present
- Apr: Off season
- May: Off season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Off season
- Nov: Not present
- Dec: Not present
Peak: Jul to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): Jun to Sep.
Research notes, Pacific Northwest region
Niche deep-drop target off Oregon and Washington, mostly in calm summer weather. Oregon's 2026 all-depth bottomfish season makes it possible; Washington coastal bottomfish depth rules can limit it. Low confidence.
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 sablefish score this hour.
Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (58) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (63) · 22 named spots
Best window today 5-8 PM (57) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 AM (61) · 268 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (56) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 AM (61) · 23 named spots
Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (57) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 AM (62) · 308 named spots
Best window today 6-11 PM (59) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 7 PM (60) · 27 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (59) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 AM (61) · 11 named spots
Best window today 6-10 PM (52) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 6 PM (52) · 8 named spots
Best window today 6-11 PM (50) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 6 PM (50) · 20 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 35°F to 48°F, best between 37°F and 43°F.
- Water depth
- 600 to 1800 ft of water.
- Structure
- Canyon, ledge and bank, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Tide stage matters little at 1,000 feet. What matters is a slow drift so the line stays near vertical and the rig stays on the bottom, which needs light current and light wind.
- Light
- Little tied to 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
Sablefish live on soft bottoms along the continental slope, and sport anglers find adults in 700 to 2,000 feet. Fish a multi-hook deep-drop rig with glow squid skirts and squid or herring on circle hooks, using several pounds of weight and an electric reel. It takes a long run offshore and a calm day to keep the line near vertical, so most trips happen in summer.
- Methods
- deep dropping with electric reels, bottom bait fishing
- Lures
- glow squid skirts over bait, deep-drop strobe lights, multi-hook circle hook gangions
- Bait
- squid, herring, mackerel strips, octopus
Regulations
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with WDFW Sep 16, 2026.
Check regulations No reviewed sablefish rule on file in Marine Area 1, Marine Area 2, Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4. Check with WDFW.