🎣 Fishing in Birch Bay

A Pacific Northwest Favorite for Anglers

Late summer and early fall are the most popular times for fishing in Birch Bay, thanks to strong salmon runs including Chinook, Pink, and Sockeye. In early summer, anglers also target halibut and lingcod, and the area has a notable population of dogfish sharks.

Birch Bay falls within Marine Area 7 (North – Gulf of Georgia) as designated by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). The area stretches from Lummi Island to the Canadian border, and westward into the Strait of Georgia. Most local anglers remain in the northern section (Marine Area 7 North).

You can fish from shore, launch a boat, or fish in nearby lakes and rivers depending on your license. Public access is available at Birch Bay State Park, along with other shoreline points throughout the area.

Yes. Anyone age 15 and older must have a valid Washington fishing license. Depending on your fishing location and target species, the following license types are available:

  • Combination License – Freshwater, saltwater, and shellfish (including seaweed and razor clams); includes a catch record card.

  • Saltwater License – For saltwater fishing only (includes optional catch record card).

  • Freshwater License – For freshwater areas only (includes optional catch record card).

🔗 Review license options and purchase online through WDFW

🐟 Fishing Tips & Species in Season

  • Salmon (Chinook, Pink, Sockeye) – Summer to early fall

  • Halibut & Lingcod – Spring to early summer

  • Dogfish Sharks – Found year-round but often caught in warmer months

  • Surf Perch & Bottom Fish – Available depending on tides and season

Be sure to check WDFW’s fishing regulations for current season dates, species limits, and gear restrictions.

With over 8,200 feet of shoreline, Birch Bay State Park offers exceptional beach access and fishing opportunities. In addition to fishing, it’s also popular for clamming and shellfish harvesting, including:

  • Littleneck & Manila Clams

  • Butter Clams, Cockles & Horse Clams

  • Oysters (enhancement plots are seeded by WDFW)

📄 View shellfish safety maps

Birch Bay State Park has a large (8,255 feet of shoreline) and very productive beach, flanked by a low bank and wetlands. The park is located a few miles south of the Canadian border and is very popular with recreational clam harvesters. The clam band is a wide stretch of sand and gravel extending from the drift line down to low water. There is good digging for native littleneck clams and Manila clams in the sandy gravel of the upper intertidal and you will find butter clams, cockles and horse clams on lower tides.

This is a good beach for oysters. WDFW has planted oyster seed in an enhancement plot located on the northeast end of the beach. Oyster Information.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Shellfish Safety Information Map