Bremerton is located on the Kitsap Peninsula and is part of Kitsap County, which is on the west side of Puget Sound in western Washington. The city has its own boardwalk area, a historic arts district and a naval air station. Bremerton's location allows its residents access to both freshwater and saltwater fishing areas, and the city hosts its own annual fishing day for kids.
Bodies of Water
Being part of the Kitsap Peninsula, Bremerton is nearly surrounded by bodies of water. That includes inlets such as the Sinclair Inlet, which is just south of Bremerton, and the Dyes Inlet, which is just north. There are also several bays from which you can cast your line from the shore, including Mud Bay, Phinney Bay, Ostrich Bay and Oyster Bay. Just across Highway 3 west of Bremerton is Kitsap Lake, one of 17 freshwater lakes around Bremerton and Kitsap County. Just a short ferry ride away is Puget Sound, where the fish come in from the Pacific Ocean.
What to Catch
According to the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau, large-mouth bass is one of the most popular catches in the freshwaters around Bremerton, but it's not the only one. They also produce lunker bass and rainbow trout. Some of the most popular catches in saltwater include halibut, salmon, lingcod and sea bass.
Kids Fishing Day
The city of Bremerton hosts a Kids Fishing Day every year in April. Kids can fish for rainbow trout from a lake near the Bremerton Forestry Division compound. The trout is donated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The city furnishes fishing gear for kids that don't have it. The city has hosted the event for more than 50 years. The event is free.
Licensing
Residents and non-residents are required to have licenses when they fish. Given the proximity to both freshwater and saltwater, you should consider a combination fishing license, which allows you to fish in both types of water. The state features a discounted license that allows you to do just that. Yearly licenses are priced at several different levels, including residents, non-residents, seniors, youths and the disabled. If you're visiting Bremerton and you're not planning on doing a lot of fishing, a short-term license may be for you. You can purchase a license that ranges from one to five days.
Charters
Bremerton's proximity to Puget Sound has made it a haven for the fishing charter business. A half-dozen charter fishing businesses call the Bremerton area home. These businesses have boats that can take you to popular fishing areas in Puget Sound and other saltwater and freshwater fishing areas around Bremerton. You should check with several different charter services to see if they offer services such as lunch and help with cleaning your catches, as well as have any surcharges associated with using them.
Tags: Puget Sound, around Bremerton, fishing areas, Kitsap Peninsula, both freshwater, both freshwater saltwater, Bremerton Kitsap
