Grays Harbor · LeadHead Guide Service
Grays Harbor salmon fishing guide
Coho, fall Chinook and steelhead across the Grays Harbor system.
Our coho specialty
Grays Harbor coho is active, hands-on fishing, mostly casting spinners and twitching jigs.
The Chehalis River and its tributaries drain into Grays Harbor, and that network gives us options through the fall. Limits are not guaranteed, but they are very common.
Also on the calendar here
- Fall Chinook, August and September
- Winter steelhead, December to March
- Summer steelhead, June to August
What we provide
- All fishing gear, bait and safety equipment
- Your fish filleted and bagged at the end of the trip
- A heater when you need one
What to bring
- Your Washington fishing license
- A catch record card for salmon and steelhead
- Waders or vinyl rain gear and waterproof boots
- Lunch and drinks
- A cooler to take your catch home
Grays Harbor salmon fishing
Guided fishing on the Grays Harbor rivers
Grays Harbor is the large estuary on Washington’s coast where the Chehalis River meets the Pacific, and its rivers carry some of the best fall salmon fishing in the state.
The Chehalis is the second-largest river system in Washington after the Columbia. Its tributaries, including the Satsop, the Wynoochee, the Wishkah and the Humptulips, each get their own runs of coho, Chinook and steelhead. That network gives us options all fall, wherever rain and river levels have the fish moving.
Coho season
Coho are why most anglers come here. They start showing in September, peak in October and November and can linger into December. In low, clear water they hold in sloughs, eddies, deep pools and log jams, and twitching jigs is the go-to method. When rain raises the rivers, fresh fish push upstream and hit spinners and spoons along current seams.
Fall Chinook
Big fall Chinook move through the system in late summer and early fall. They are fished with plugs, bait and drifted eggs, and fish over 20 pounds are common.
Winter steelhead
When salmon season winds down, the Grays Harbor tributaries get winter steelhead from December through March, a great alternative when the Cowlitz is high or crowded.
Seasons, limits and gear rules change from year to year and sometimes mid-season. Beau keeps up with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules for every trip, but you can always check the current pamphlet and emergency rules at wdfw.wa.gov.
Coho tactics
How we catch Grays Harbor coho
Coho are aggressive and active, which makes for a hands-on day.
Twitching jigs
Short snaps of the rod tip make a jig dart and fall. Coho often grab it on the drop. Our favorite method in clear water.
Spinners and spoons
When rain colors the water, fresh fish move and chase flashy lures cast across current seams.
Bobber and eggs
A float suspends cured eggs in slow holding water. Simple, effective and great for kids.
Grays Harbor questions
When is coho season in Grays Harbor?
We fish coho from September to December. State rules can change each season.
What techniques do you use for coho?
Mostly casting spinners and twitching jigs.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Every angler needs a Washington fishing license, plus a catch record card for salmon and steelhead. Buy them online from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before your trip.
Which Grays Harbor rivers do you fish?
The Chehalis River and its tributaries, choosing each day based on where fish are moving and current regulations.
What is the best month for Grays Harbor coho?
October and November are usually best. Rain matters as much as the calendar, since higher water brings fresh fish into the rivers.
