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11 Best Fishing Piers in Seattle

Seattle-area fishing piers suit more than fishing alone: you can plan a crabbing outing, a sunset walk, a family beach visit or a quiet waterfront break. The right pier depends on whether you want activity, scenery, dining or a low-key place by the water.

Compare shoreline setting, expected crowd and the time you have available. Also check access conditions, fishing or crabbing requirements and whether your visit needs advance planning before leaving home.

How this guide is ordered

We chose fishing piers in Seattle with a proven record among their customers and ranked them with the specialists first. The list is reviewed regularly so it stays current.

Featured positions are clearly marked and only offered to businesses that already earned their place in the guide.

Top 3Full listMapHow to choose

Compare 11 local options

Edmonds Fishing Pier, Seattle#1
What stands out
  • Olympic Mountain and ferry views

  • Fishing beside a marina

Edmonds Fishing Pier

4.7566 reviews
219 Railroad Ave, Edmonds, WA 98020, United States
Best for
Sunset and shoreline walks

Edmonds Fishing Pier is a scenic waterfront destination near Seattle for fishing, crabbing, shoreline walks and wide views across Puget Sound toward the Olympic Peninsula. The paved route and nearby beach make it accessible for a relaxed outing, while ferries add movement and character to the water.

The pier and adjacent marina are well suited to sunset watching as well as time spent outdoors with family or friends. Fishing space can feel competitive at busy periods, so considerate positioning matters when several anglers are sharing the rail.

Des Moines Marina Pier, Seattle#2
What stands out
  • Roomy rail space for fishing

Des Moines Marina Pier

4.7286 reviews
410 S 222nd St, Des Moines, WA 98198, United States
Best for
Fishing and crabbing outingsRelaxed waterfront picnics

Des Moines Marina Pier is a clean, welcoming fishing pier south of Seattle with a long steel walkway, generous rail space and views across Puget Sound. It works equally well for fishing, crabbing, a peaceful stroll or a picnic near the water, with seating that encourages visitors to stay and take in the scenery.

Recent improvements have made the area more inviting, while the nearby beach park adds room for a longer outing. Sunrise and sunset are particular highlights, and the marina setting gives the pier a relaxed, community-oriented feel.

Lake Washington T Dock, Seattle#3
What stands out
  • Freshwater fishing with mountain views

Lake Washington T Dock

4.7158 reviews
500 Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle, WA 98122, United States

Lake Washington T Dock is a scenic Seattle-area fishing spot with views across the lake toward Mercer Island, Bellevue and, on clear days, Mount Rainier. The dock works for freshwater anglers targeting species such as yellow perch, bass and trout, while benches, grass and nearby shoreline make it pleasant for a short walk or sunrise visit.

The setting is also used for swimming despite posted restrictions, so anglers and walkers should keep clear of unsafe areas and follow dock signs. Fishing regulations and consumption advisories apply to Lake Washington species.

Harper Recreational Fishing Pier, Seattle#4
What stands out
  • Repurposed ferry-terminal setting

  • Quiet saltwater fishing

Harper Recreational Fishing Pier

4.699 reviews
SE Southworth Dr, Port Orchard, WA 98366, United States
Best for
Low-key fishing and crabbing

Harper Recreational Fishing Pier is a repurposed ferry terminal that now provides a distinctive setting for saltwater fishing and crabbing. The dock sits at the end of a pleasant waterfront walk, with beach access, broad views and a small coffee shop nearby adding interest beyond the fishing itself.

Its quieter feel can be appealing to anglers seeking a less crowded alternative, although the limited spaces beside the pier fill quickly and the dock can become busy during popular periods. The simple, weathered setting suits a relaxed outing rather than a highly serviced marina experience.

Pier 54, Seattle#5
What stands out
  • Seafood and harbor views

  • Lively waterfront walking stop

Pier 54

4.538 reviews
1001 Alaskan Wy Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
Best for
Waterfront sightseeingFishing-pier visits with dining

Pier 54 is a lively Seattle waterfront fishing pier where a short stroll can include harbor views, seafood at Ivar’s Acres of Clams, shops and nearby cruise activity. Its maritime character makes it more of a mixed-use waterfront stop than a quiet angling platform, but the setting is attractive for visitors who want scenery and things to do close together.

The pier works well as part of a broader waterfront walk, especially when paired with lunch or a harbor cruise. Street construction can occasionally affect the approach, so allow a little flexibility when arriving from the surrounding waterfront route.

Henry L Kotkins Pier, Seattle#6
What stands out
  • Quiet wildlife-watching setting

Henry L Kotkins Pier

4.88 reviews
Vessel location - not mailing address, 6700 Seaview Avenue Northwest (approx, Seattle, WA 98117, United States

Henry L Kotkins Pier is a Seattle fishing pier with a quieter, more secluded character than a typical waterfront stop. Its setting is particularly appealing for wildlife watching, including frequent sea lion sightings along the nearby jetty.

It also offers a scenic place to spend time beside the water, whether fishing or taking in the surrounding marine landscape.

Lake Ballinger Fishing Pier, Seattle#7
What stands out
  • Deeper-water casting from shore

Lake Ballinger Fishing Pier

4.514 reviews
Boat Ramp At Lake Ballinger, 23600 Lakeview Dr, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043, United States

Lake Ballinger Fishing Pier is a well-built public fishing pier near Seattle, offering enough reach to cast into comparatively deeper water. It is a straightforward choice for casual anglers, with trout catches reported from the dock and a small park setting that also suits a brief outdoor break.

The pier can become crowded, particularly around families and younger visitors, but quieter spaces are often easier to find earlier in the day. Posted restrictions prohibit diving and swimming around the fishing structure.

Mount Baker Park Beach Fishing Pier, Seattle#8
What stands out
  • Sunset views over Lake Washington

  • Year-round lake fishing

Mount Baker Park Beach Fishing Pier

4.76 reviews
2521 Lake Park Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144, United States

Mount Baker Park Beach Fishing Pier brings together shoreline fishing and the relaxed atmosphere of Lake Washington in Seattle. The setting is well suited to a calm outing, with open water views and a particularly attractive perspective at sunset.

Lake Washington supports year-round fishing and species such as coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie, subject to local regulations.

Seward Park Reverend U.G. Murphy Fishing Pier, Seattle#9
What stands out
  • Park setting on Lake Washington

Seward Park Reverend U.G. Murphy Fishing Pier

4.76 reviews
5539 Shore Loop Rd, Seattle, WA 98118, United States

Seward Park Reverend U.G. Murphy Fishing Pier is a Seattle fishing pier on the southwest side of Lake Washington.

Its park setting makes it a natural choice for a slower waterfront visit, with room to combine fishing and time outdoors. Lake Washington offers year-round fishing opportunities, including coastal cutthroat trout, bass, yellow perch, and black crappie, while local rules and advisories remain important to check before fishing.

West Seattle Bridge Trail Fishing Dock#10
What stands out
  • Covered urban fishing shelters

  • Views along the bridge trail

West Seattle Bridge Trail Fishing Dock

4.256 reviews
Duwamish Waterway, Seattle, WA 98134, United States

West Seattle Bridge Trail Fishing Dock provides a convenient urban fishing point with views of the Duwamish area, passing boats and cyclists along the trail. Covered shelters offer some relief from the sun, making the dock useful for watching the water as well as casting a line.

Conditions change sharply during salmon runs, when crowds can become intense and space at the dock is limited. Anglers should expect a basic setting without restrooms or fish-cleaning facilities and follow current fishing rules carefully.

Alki Beach Pier, Seattle#11
What stands out
  • Seattle skyline from the water

  • Family-friendly sunset stop

Alki Beach Pier

4.8216 reviews
37 Alki Trl, Seattle, WA 98126, United States
Best for
Sunset walksFamily beach outings

Alki Beach Pier is a family-friendly Seattle waterfront stop with sweeping views toward downtown, the Olympic Mountains and the surrounding Sound. The pier and nearby park offer benches, walking space and memorable sunsets, making the area enjoyable for a stroll, a quiet pause or a broader beach outing.

It is more of a scenic recreational destination than a dedicated fishing facility, but its shoreline setting makes it a natural addition to a day around Alki. Weekend parking can be difficult, especially during the busiest summer periods.

The comparison at a glance

#BusinessRatingReviewsBest for
#1Edmonds Fishing Pier 4.7566Sunset and shoreline walks
#2Des Moines Marina Pier 4.7286Fishing and crabbing outings
#3Lake Washington T Dock 4.7158—
#4Harper Recreational Fishing Pier 4.699Low-key fishing and crabbing
#5Pier 54 4.538Waterfront sightseeing
#6Henry L Kotkins Pier 4.88—
#7Lake Ballinger Fishing Pier 4.514—
#8Mount Baker Park Beach Fishing Pier 4.76—
#9Seward Park Reverend U.G. Murphy Fishing Pier 4.76—
#10West Seattle Bridge Trail Fishing Dock 4.256—
#11Alki Beach Pier 4.8216Sunset walks

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Map of fishing piers in Seattle

There is no single fishing-pier cluster covering every Seattle outing. The selection reaches across shoreline and lake settings, from Edmonds and Des Moines to Alki, Lake Washington and Lake Ballinger, with each location offering a different kind of waterfront visit. Use travel time as a primary filter, then consider whether you need a short scenic stop or enough time for fishing and crabbing. Check the route, access conditions and daylight before choosing a more distant pier.

Services to compare

  • Fishing outingsSpend time by the water with a pier visit centered on recreational fishing.
  • Crabbing tripsChoose locations associated with fishing and crabbing for a more active waterfront plan.
  • Sunset walksFind shoreline spots suited to an evening stroll and changing waterfront views.
  • Family beach outingsUse accessible waterfront settings for a relaxed visit with family.
  • Waterfront picnicsPair a pier or marina visit with a casual picnic near the shoreline.
  • Sightseeing with diningSelect a waterfront destination where sightseeing can be combined with a meal.

How to choose fishing piers in Seattle

  1. Define the main activityDecide whether fishing, crabbing, walking, sightseeing or a picnic is the priority; not every pier serves the same purpose.
  2. Check local requirementsBefore fishing or crabbing, verify current licensing, equipment and seasonal rules for the specific location.
  3. Measure the travel effortCompare the full drive or transit time with the length of your planned visit, especially for a short sunset stop.
  4. Plan around daylightFor evening walks or shoreline photography, check sunset timing and leave enough time to arrive before conditions change.
  5. Confirm access before leavingCheck current opening conditions, maintenance notices and nearby amenities instead of assuming every pier has the same access.

Frequently asked questions

Which Seattle fishing pier is best for a sunset walk?

A shoreline-oriented location such as Edmonds or Alki can suit a sunset visit when scenery matters more than a long fishing session. Check the route and sunset time, then allow extra time if you want to combine the walk with a meal or picnic.

Can I go crabbing from Seattle-area fishing piers?

Some locations are associated with fishing and crabbing, but rules and access can vary. Confirm the current license requirements, season, permitted gear and whether the pier allows the activity before making the trip.

What should families consider when choosing a pier?

Prioritize the activity your group can comfortably sustain, such as a short waterfront walk, beach outing or picnic. Check the route, rest areas, daylight and nearby facilities, and avoid planning a fishing-focused visit if younger visitors need more variety.

Do I need to reserve a fishing-pier visit?

A simple public pier visit may not require a reservation, but timing can still matter for popular outings or organized activities. Confirm access and any booking requirements in advance, particularly when your plan depends on a specific window.

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