Where to Go Fishing With Kids Around Seattle

Fishing with kids

For many of us, the age-old pastime of going fishing evokes memories of summer’s glassy lakes and warm breezes. For others, it may conjure up pre-dawn wake-ups, soggy worms and even soggier rain boots. Either way, fishing is a childhood rite of passage — and for many of us — an adventure we want to share with our own children.

Bellevue dad Chris Brady fondly recalled fishing with his two sons. “Some of our best heartfelt conversations happened in an old rowboat, out in the middle of a lake,” he said.

How can you get started fishing with your kiddos? It’s easy. Read on for where to go, licensing info and tips on gear and first trips. And spoiler! Free Fishing Weekend is June 10–11, 2023. (Note: If you’re already fans of Free Fishing Weekend, be aware that there are some changes to the rules this year.)

First: Places to take kids fishing

Where to go fishing with kids around Seattle

1. Washington State Trout Fishing Derby lakes, statewide

Each year, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife holds a statewide fishing derby. Families can go fishing at more than 100 Washington lakes that are stocked with tagged fish to catch. Choose a lake, catch a tagged trout if you can, then see if you’ve won a prize! This year’s derby dates are April 22–Oct. 31, 2023. Teens and adults and ages 15 and older need a valid fishing license to participate (except during Free Fishing Weekend, June 10–11, 2023); kids ages 14 and younger fish for free (no fishing license required). 

2. Gold Creek Trout Farm, Woodinville

This local hatchery hole offers equipment. There’s no need to make reservation, but check the operating hours before you go. It’s currently open on weekends.

3. Pine Lake, Sammamish

Check online for the ideal time to drop your line into this lake. You may reel in a delightfully named pumpkinseed sunfish.

4. Green Lake Park, Seattle

Green Lake has year-round fishing. Fish for trout, carp and catfish, among other finned fare. 

5. Mill Pond, Auburn

At this fishing pond, you can cast off from the edge of the pond rather than from a dock or pier, so bring boots! Youth fishing only (ages 14 and younger) at this spot.

6. Old Fishing Hole Pond, Kent

This is another youth-fishing-only spot. Adult fishing is prohibited. Let the tots reel one in and admire the beautiful “Cedar and Salmon” totem pole by artist David Boxley.

7. Mount Baker Park, Seattle

Kids can fish here on the shores of Lake Washington. Mount Baker Park is a Seattle Parks and Recreation park.

8. Seacrest Park, West Seattle

Located on the West Seattle waterfront, right at the King County Water Taxi dock, this park boasts some of the best views of Seattle. It’s also a great spot for fishing and has a nearby boathouse. Follow up your fishing outing with shave ice and sliders from Marination Ma Kai. 

9. Jim’s U-Fish, Spanaway

Farmers Jim and Debbie love sharing their working farm in Spanaway. They invite families to come and visit their fuzzy animals. Kids can ride a pony or mini train when they’re not fishing. 

10. Belvoir Place, Seattle

This is a small dock on Union Bay in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle. Small, quiet and grassy, it’s the perfect spot for beginners.

11. Angle Lake Park, City of SeaTac

Fish from the pier at this popular park, 8 a.m. to dusk every day. Note that you can’t fish when lifeguards are on duty. This park is a fun swim spot on warm days.

12. Fishing for an Experience, Sammamish

If you don’t feel like going it alone, this program based out of Sammamish offers guided family fishing outings to Eastside-area lakes. Guides nearly guarantee that you’ll go home with a fish; the catch rate is 99 percent.

Next: Free Fishing Weekend and fishing license info

Free Fishing Weekend and fishing license info

It’s Free Fishing Weekend Saturday–Sunday, June 10–11, 2023! During this weekend, anglers of any age do not need a fishing license to fish in Washington state. Read the website carefully, as other rules, such as season openings and catch limits, still apply. (At all other times, everyone ages 15 and older needs a fishing license. See below.)

Fishing license info

Kids who are ages 14 and younger do not need a fishing license to fish in the state of Washington, unless they are fishing for common carp, crawfish, bullfrogs, smelt or unclassified marine invertebrates. Anyone age 15 and older must carry a current recreational fishing license.

Note that rules differ for shellfish, and if youths ages 14 and younger are fishing for halibut, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or Dungeness crab, they are required to have a catch record card to track and report what they catch.

Health tip: Also, if you’re planning on eating the fish you catch, be sure to check the Washington Department of Health fish advisories for the latest info on contaminant levels.

Up next: Gear and tips on fishing with kids

Gear and tips on fishing with kids

Gear tips:

• Most kids do well with an ultra-light spinning or spin-casting rod-and-reel combo. The Avid Angler in Lake Forest Park, Seattle’s Orvis store or any REI can outfit gear options and tips from knowledgeable staff. 
• Small floats work well for kids. This way there’s no casting and re-casting.
• For younger kids, try a simple pole with no reel. 
• When it comes to bait, keep it approximately the size of your hook. Avoid hooks larger than size 10 (hooks run backwards in size). Fish won’t readily take large hooks.
• Kids might have fun digging their own bait. They can dig in the garden to find angle worms. Beyond worms, bait can be anything from salmon eggs to marshmallows.
• Kids should always wear a life jacket when around water. By law, children ages 12 and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket when in a boat smaller than 19 feet in length. Start things off right by getting your kids familiar with personal flotation devices (also called PFDs).

Tips for a first fishing trip with kids:

• Keep your children’s interest levels in mind and aim for an experience that will result in a catch.
• Encourage kids to plan the fishing outing with you. Study a map together, pick the spot, make a list of gear and pack a lunch.
• Give kids things to be responsible for, such as carrying the net or making sure everyone wears a PFD.
• Dress in layers, and be sure to pack rain boots, umbrellas and jackets.
• Be flexible. Cut it short if you see that the kids are done, or extend the time if they are having fun.
• Be a good example of conservation and preservation of our fisheries.
• Teach and practice “catch and release” where appropriate.
• Keep kids busy: Look for wildlife, have a picnic or play games.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and was updated most recently for 2023.