Point No Point is one of Puget Sound’s most famous salmon spots. This practical primer will help you plan a safe, successful day whether you are a first‑time visitor, a shore angler, or a small‑boat regular. You will learn when to go, where to set up, what gear works, how to stay within the rules, and where to park or launch. If you are also exploring Hansville as a weekend escape or future home base, you will see why this little point looms large in local life.
Why Point No Point matters to anglers and to Hansville
Point No Point sits at the tip of Hansville, where currents meet and bait stacks up. That is why it is a magnet for salmon and the people who love to chase them. The area is part of Washington’s Marine Area 9, known as Admiralty Inlet, and includes nearby hotspots like Pilot Point and Skunk Bay. It offers action for both boat and beach anglers, which makes it easy to enjoy on a quick morning tide or a full day with the family.
For Hansville, the point is more than a fishing hole. It is a shared backyard where neighbors meet at first light, where kids learn to cast, and where visitors get a taste of the outdoor rhythm that defines this community. Pair a tide change with a lighthouse walk, a picnic, and sunset views, and you have a classic North Kitsap weekend.
Salmon species and seasonal windows
Several salmon species pass by Point No Point. Timing shifts by year and by tide, so plan around the season and conditions.
- Chinook, also called kings, are a summer prize in Admiralty Inlet. When quotas allow, many anglers focus on kings during summer openings. WDFW lists Area 9 and Point No Point as key waters.
- Coho, or silvers, typically show in late summer into fall. They roam current edges and push tight to the beach on some tides.
- Pink salmon surge in strong odd years. WDFW forecasted a big Puget Sound pink return for 2025 and adjusted limits to match that outlook. Expect fast action in those cycles. See WDFW’s season news.
- Chum and sockeye appear at times in Admiralty Inlet. Availability and retention rules vary by year.
Local success tracks tides, current speed, and where bait holds. On big exchanges, fish often ride the edges of tide rips or rest in soft eddies behind the point. On smaller tides, they can spread out. Water clarity and wind also matter, so be ready to adjust depth and lure color.
Best fishing spots and access around Point No Point
Point No Point is in Marine Area 9 and centers on the lighthouse park. You will find options for both shore and boat.
- Shore fishing: The beach at Point No Point Lighthouse Park offers stair access to productive shoreline. Cast metal jigs or spoons toward deeper water near the drop‑off and work current seams. Expect crowds during summer and pink years. Respect posted signs and private property lines.
- Boat fishing: Troll along the 90 to 150 foot contour and work the edges of tide rips. On strong current, slide into the calmer lee to mooch or jig where bait stacks. Local write‑ups highlight trolling outside the rip and mooching in the back‑eddy when bait piles up. Technique overview.
When choosing a spot, weigh wind direction, current strength, and crowding. North or west winds can make the point choppy. In tight quarters, keep a safe spread from other boats and watch for beach casters. If conditions look sporty, tuck into more sheltered water or fish from shore.
Gear, rigs and techniques that work at Point No Point
You do not need a boat to catch salmon here, but matching your setup to the water helps.
- Rods and reels:
- Shore: 9 to 10 foot medium to medium‑heavy spinning or casting rod with 20 to 30 lb braid and 10 to 15 lb mono or fluoro leader.
- Boat: 8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling or mooching rod, levelwind reel with smooth drag, 25 to 30 lb mainline and 20 to 30 lb leader.
- Trolling basics: Use downriggers or lead to reach the bait layer. A flasher with a spoon or hootchie is a go‑to. Adjust depth to marks on your sonar or to where you see birds working.
- Mooching and jigging: Drift the calm side of a rip and lower a cut‑plug herring or a 2 to 4 ounce metal jig. Keep contact with the lure and lift on soft taps.
- Shore tactics: Cast 1 to 2 ounce jigs or slim spoons. Fan your casts. Speed up the retrieve for coho, slow down and lift‑drop for pinks. Switch to brighter colors in low light or silty water.
Simple rig diagram in words:
- Trolling: mainline to flasher, 36 to 48 inch leader to spoon or hootchie. Add a 2 to 3 foot dropper to a cannonball if not using downriggers.
- Mooching: 6 foot leader with two 4/0 to 5/0 hooks snelled in tandem. Cut‑plug herring spinning tight.
- Jigging: 20 to 30 lb braid to a swivel, 3 foot 20 lb leader, then a 2 to 3 ounce jig.
Quick upkeep: retie leaders after each fish, check knots, pinch barbs if required, and keep hooks sharp. If you stop seeing bait on sonar or bird life fades, change depth or move to the next seam.
Regulations, licensing and responsible fishing practices
Rules change by year and even mid‑season. Before you go, verify current seasons, size limits, and retention rules for Marine Area 9. Start with the WDFW regulations page and get your required license and catch record card. Carry them while fishing.
If you plan to eat your catch, review Department of Health guidance for Marine Area 9. Current advice allows more frequent meals of coho, pink, chum and sockeye than Chinook, with stricter limits for resident blackmouth.
Practice low‑stress release for wild or out‑of‑season fish. Keep fish in the water, use rubber nets, and back the hook out with pliers. Pack out all trash, including line and bait packaging. Check tides and marine forecast, wear a life jacket, and carry a VHF or other communication device.
Launch points, parking and boat logistics
The lighthouse and beach access sit within Point No Point Lighthouse Park. The county has noted seasonal parking lot closures for repairs in past years and directs visitors to alternate parking when needed. Some nearby spots require a Discover Pass.
Small boats launch from nearby ramps and hand‑launch sites that serve Admiralty Inlet. Local reporting has covered projects to improve the Hansville launch and rail‑launch facilities. Check current conditions and trailer parking before you tow. Read about launch improvements.
Beach anglers should arrive early for parking, expect a short walk with stairs, and pack gear in manageable loads. At busy times, use ramp etiquette: prep away from the ramp, clear quickly, and leave space for emergency access.
If you are new to the area, consider a charter or guide for your first outing. It is a safe way to learn local tides and techniques.
Local services: charters, tackle shops and guides
You will find resources across North Kitsap to support a day on the water:
- Charters and guides for salmon in Marine Area 9 and nearby Sound waters
- Bait and tackle shops with herring, jigs, spoons and terminal gear
- Marine fuel, ice, and fish‑cleaning stations at select marinas
- On‑the‑go food, coffee, and lodging in Kingston, Poulsbo and Bainbridge
Vet any guide by confirming their license and insurance, vessel safety gear, and client reviews. For real‑time rules and in‑season updates, always check WDFW notices on the day you fish.
Fishing and Hansville lifestyle: why anglers consider living here
Living near Point No Point makes weekend fishing simple. You can time a quick tide window before work, store your boat close by, and share a community that understands early alarms and big‑tide plans. For buyers, a few details matter:
- Moorage and storage: space for a trailer, small‑boat lift, or mooring solutions
- Shoreline and access: understand tideland rights, stairs, and community access rules
- Practical storage: secure space for rods, crab pots, coolers and rain gear
- Neighborhood fit: comfort with summer traffic, beach etiquette, and quiet hours
A local real estate advisor can help you weigh shoreline rules and property features that match your fishing life. If you are thinking about a North Kitsap base, reach out. I am happy to share what to look for and what to avoid.
Sample half‑day trip plan + quick checklist
Morning plan, 5 hours total:
- 5:00 a.m.: Check the NOAA Hansville tide station and marine forecast. Confirm Area 9 rules on WDFW.
- 5:30 a.m.: Park or launch. Stage gear, rotate life jackets, and file a float plan with a friend.
- 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.: Fish the flood or ebb. Start on the rip edge, then slide into the eddy if bait stacks.
- 9:00 to 9:30 a.m.: Quick shore break near the lighthouse, hydrate, retie leaders.
- 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.: Make a last pass, then haul out and clean up.
Checklist:
- Licenses, catch record card, Discover Pass if needed
- Rods, reels, leaders, lures, bait and extra hooks
- Life jackets, throwable, whistle, flares, VHF or phone
- Knife, pliers, net, dehooker and fish bonker
- Cooler, ice, bags, towels and sanitizer
- Tide chart, sunglasses, sunscreen and layered clothing
Bonus nearby: shellfish and beach exploring
Adjacent beaches host seasonal shellfish opportunities. Always confirm open seasons and health closures before digging or harvesting. Start here: WDFW shellfish beaches near Point No Point.
Safety at the point
Currents at Point No Point can run hard. Tide rips create short, steep waves that test small boats and kayaks. Plan your route, watch the weather, and avoid anchoring near the main rip. For seamanship lessons learned in this area, review this cautionary read: 48° North safety piece. Always wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
Conclusion
Point No Point rewards smart planning. Time your trip to the tide, match your gear to the depth, and follow current rules. Respect the shoreline, give space to fellow anglers, and share the beach with care. Whether you are visiting for a day or dreaming about a home base near the water, Hansville delivers the simple joys of salmon season.
Curious how fishing fits with local living, moorage, or shoreline rules? Schedule a free consultation with Meredith Laws. I help buyers and sellers across North Kitsap and Seattle find the right property for the life they want, from city condos to waterfront escapes.
FAQs
Q: What marine area is Point No Point in? A: It is in Marine Area 9, Admiralty Inlet.
Q: When is king salmon best here? A: Summer is the prime window for Chinook when seasons are open. Check WDFW regulations for exact dates and limits.
Q: Is beach fishing worth it? A: Yes. Coho and pinks often run close to shore. Cast jigs and spoons into deeper water near current edges.
Q: Where can I check tides for Hansville? A: Use the NOAA Hansville station 9445526 for tide predictions.
Q: Do I need a special pass for parking? A: Some lots require a Discover Pass, and the main county lot may have seasonal changes. Check Kitsap County Parks updates.
Q: What about fish consumption safety? A: See DOH Marine Area 9 guidance. It offers serving advice by species.
