# Artificial Lure's Puget Sound Fishing Report – December 2nd, 2025

Hey folks, it's Artificial Lure coming to you on this Tuesday morning. Let me break down what's happening on the water around Puget Sound today.

**Tides and Conditions**

We're looking at a high tide at 3:45 AM hitting just under 13 feet, then a low at 8:54 AM around 6.9 feet. Your next high tide comes in at 2:17 PM at nearly 16 feet. Sunrise was at 7:38 this morning with sunset hitting at 4:23 PM, so you've got limited daylight – get out there early. For those hitting the Olympia area, similar conditions with highs and lows following the same general pattern.

**What's Biting**

December is absolutely loaded with opportunities right now. Sea-run cutthroat trout are prime targets along South Puget Sound beaches and bays. These fish are holding tight to shore during soft incoming and outgoing tides, especially at slack water when baitfish congregate. Use dark colors if the water's clear and bright – switch to brighter stuff when it's cloudy. Remember, barbless hooks are mandatory in all Puget Sound marine fisheries.

Market squid have been showing up at piers from Mukilteo down to Tacoma, so if you want some evening action, grab some glow jigs and head to the docks. They feed mostly at night under lights, though daytime catches are possible when numbers are high.

Lake whitefish on Banks Lake – that 27-mile reservoir along Highway 155 – is producing solid winter action. These fish commonly run 18 to 24 inches with some pushing past 30. Use shrimp, maggots, salmon eggs, or small jigs on a lightweight six-foot sensitive rod. The daily limit is 15 fish.

**Winter Crabbing**

Crabbing remains productive across Puget Sound. Marine Areas 4 through 12 north of Ayock Point stay open daily through December 31st. You can pull traps from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The limit is five male Dungeness crabs at least 6¼ inches, plus six red rock crabs and six Tanner crabs per day. Also watch for tagged crabs – if you hook one with a green floy tag in Areas 9 or 10, call the number on it.

**Steelhead Update**

Here's the tough news – the Nooksack River is closed for steelhead through the end of the year and all of January. The hatchery forecast fell way short, so they're protecting what little broodstock they have. However, the upper Skykomish River, especially around Reiter Ponds, is still offering early hatchery winter steelhead action. Tokul Creek is open through mid-February though fishing's restricted between 5 PM and 7 AM.

**Hot Spots to Hit**

If you're targeting winter Chinook in Deep South Puget Sound, focus on Marine Area 13 – Point Gibson, Point Fosdick, Anderson Island, and Budd Inlet are producing around tidal movements and baitfish concentrations. For cutthroat action, work the bays and estuaries throughout South Puget Sound on those incoming and slack tides.

Get out there and make the most of those short December days. Thanks for tuning in and please subscribe for your next fishing report.

This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI