Species guide · Washington
Surfperch fishing in Washington
Embiotocidae (mainly Amphistichus spp.), a surf species also called perch, surf perch and barred perch. Listed for the Pacific Northwest region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10 Nm at 52, 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 1 more week- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Peak season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Off season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Apr to Jun. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Sep.
Research notes, Pacific Northwest region
Aggregate of the surfperch anglers catch from beaches, jetties, piers and bays. Main species: redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus), barred surfperch (A. argenteus, Bodega Bay south), calico surfperch (A. koelzi), walleye surfperch (Hyperprosopon argenteum), pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca), striped seaperch (Embiotoca lateralis), shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata). In OR and WA the catch is mostly redtail surfperch on ocean beaches; ODFW says spring and early summer is most productive when they school along sandy shores to give birth. Winter surf is often too big to fish.
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 surfperch score this hour.
Best window today 5-9 PM (69) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 8 PM (70) · 8 named spots
Best window today 7-11 AM (69) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (69) · 308 named spots
Best window today 7-11 AM (66) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (66) · 268 named spots
Best window today 7-10 AM (68) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 AM (69) · 11 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (66) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (68) · 20 named spots
Best window today 6-10 AM (64) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (64) · 22 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (66) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (66) · 27 named spots
Best window today 6-11 AM (69) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 AM (70) · 23 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 48°F to 70°F, best between 52°F and 64°F.
- Water depth
- 2 to 30 ft of water.
- Structure
- Surf, beach, rip, jetty, pier, bay and estuary, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with moderate current.ODFW: best fishing is often on an incoming tide, especially an hour or two before high tide, when wave wash stirs up sand crabs and worms. Use low tide to scout troughs, holes and places where the beach cuts inward.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Surfperch feed in the troughs and holes within about 30 feet of the waterline, just outside the first set of breakers. Cast a two-hook high-low or Carolina rig with size 4 to 2 hooks and a 1 to 6 ounce pyramid sinker and let the surge work it through the trough. Fish the incoming tide on beaches with a steep drop, and switch to jetties, pilings and bays when the surf is too big.
- Methods
- surf casting, bottom fishing, pier fishing, jetty fishing
- Lures
- Gulp sandworm, 1 to 3 inch plastic grubs, small swimbaits
- Bait
- sand crabs (mole crabs), marine worms, sand shrimp, mussels, clam necks
Regulations
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with WDFW Sep 18, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
12 per day · No minimum size.
Season: No closed season on file
Shiner perch daily limit 15. Surfperch do not count toward the bottomfish daily limit.
WDFW Columbia River halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026
12 per day · No minimum size.
Season: No closed season on file
Shiner perch daily limit 15. Surfperch do not count toward the bottomfish daily limit.
WDFW South Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026
12 per day · No minimum size.
Season: No closed season on file
Shiner perch daily limit 15. Surfperch do not count toward the bottomfish daily limit.
WDFW North Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026
12 per day · No minimum size.
Season: No closed season on file
Shiner perch daily limit 15. Surfperch do not count toward the bottomfish daily limit.
WDFW North Coast halibut and bottomfish seasons page · verified Sep 13, 2026