Where to fish in the San Juans

Middle Bank and Spring Passage aren’t the only places to fish in the islands during winter. In no certain order, here are Truth’s top-10 San Juan Island picks to fish during the winter:

1. Thatcher Pass, south side: Productive on an outgoing tide.
2. Fidalgo Head: Can be good on both tides.
3. Tide Point on west side of Cypress Island and Eagle Bluff: Both tides work there.
4. Point Lawrence on eastern tip of Orcas Island: Has been dead for years but lately has been on fire.
5. Obstruction Pass, located between Deer Point on Orcas Island and tiny Obstruction Island: Worth a look — try on a flood tide the eastern entrance, and on an ebb tide hit the western entrance.
6. Humphrey Head on the north end of Lopez Island: Can be very good on an incoming tide and near high water.
7. Coyote Bank: Most westerly fishing spot on the U.S.-Canada boundary line and halfway between Dungeness and Victoria. Fish it on both tides.
8. In President Channel, at the Boy Scout Camp, on the west side of Orcas Island: Another west-side spot is Parker Reef, where this winter’s opening-day derby winner was caught.
9. Waldron Island, the south side: Don’t overlook it on either tide.
10. Salmon Bank, on the south side of San Juan Island at Cattle Point: No wind needed to fish this bank, and can be very good on an outgoing tide. Further south is Hein Bank where you fish both the north and south ends.

If you go
The San Juan Islands (Marine Catch Area 7) is open for salmon through March 31.
The daily limit is one salmon with a 22-inch minimum size limit for chinook.
If you don’t have a high-tech GPS, maps and charts are the next best thing because the islands can be treacherous for novice boaters with many shallow underwater reefs, shoals and rocks. The Waggoner recommends purchasing U.S. Chart 18421 or Canadian Chart 3462, which are small scale and show just the big picture. Large-scale charts to buy are 18429, 18430, 18431, 18432, 18433 and 18434 for close-up views.