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Squid jigging in Seattle

Puget Sound's strangest and most underrated fishery. Simple to learn, fast when it's on, and the best calamari you will ever eat.

Nobody talks about squid, and they should

Market squid move into Puget Sound in the colder months and can be caught in real numbers. It is one of the few fisheries here where a total beginner can genuinely fill a bag on their first outing, and it costs almost nothing in gear or effort to learn.

It is also the freshest calamari you will ever have. Squid begins losing quality the moment it dies, which is why most restaurant calamari is frozen and rubbery. Squid you caught last night and cooked today is a completely different food.

How squid jigging works

You fish a weighted, barbless jig — a squid jig, which looks like a small glowing shrimp ringed with fine spines. You drop it, then work it with a slow lift-and-drop rhythm. Squid do not bite in the way a fish does; they wrap the jig with their tentacles. The take is subtle. It feels like weight, or like your jig suddenly got heavier, and then you lift smoothly.

The technique takes minutes to learn and the barbless jigs mean nobody gets hooked, which makes it surprisingly good with a group.

It is a light fishery

Squid are drawn to light, so this is largely an after-dark fishery. That is part of the appeal — Seattle from the water at night, the lights on the jigs, and squid coming up out of black water. It is an unusual way to spend an evening, and people who come for it once tend to come back.

Season and rules

Squid are typically best in the autumn and winter months in Puget Sound, though availability shifts year to year with water conditions. A Washington fishing licence is required, and there are daily limits — check current WDFW rules or ask us.

What you take home

Clean them the same day. Tubes and tentacles, floured and flash-fried for ninety seconds — any longer and you are eating an eraser. Squid is unforgiving of overcooking and spectacular when you get it right.

Common questions

When is the best time for squid fishing in Seattle?

Autumn and winter are typically best on Puget Sound, though runs shift year to year with water conditions. Squid are attracted to light, so it is largely a night fishery.

Is squid jigging good for beginners?

Yes — it is one of the easiest fisheries to learn. The jigs are barbless, the technique takes minutes to pick up, and beginners often catch well on their first outing.

Do I need a licence to fish squid in Washington?

Yes, a Washington fishing licence is required, and daily limits apply. Check current WDFW rules.

How do you cook fresh squid?

Flour and flash-fry for about ninety seconds. Squid becomes rubbery if overcooked. Fresh-caught squid is far better than the frozen calamari served in most restaurants.