The 8 Largest Fish Ever Caught in Washington

Washington state is a paradise for those who love fishing. Not only does it have many fish species and various places to find them, but you might get lucky and break a record for the largest fish ever caught in Washington. 

Washington has over 8,000 lakes and 40,000 miles of rivers, providing beautiful scenery and stunning wildlife for fishers to enjoy while waiting for a catch. You can find freshwater and saltwater areas, so you’ll never grow tired of catching a variety of fish species. Here are some of the largest fish ever caught in Washington: 

8 Largest Fish Ever Caught in Washington 

1. Pacific Halibut – 288 lbs

The average weight of a Pacific halibut is between 25 and 30 pounds, but they can get much bigger. On September 9, 1989, Vic Stevens caught a 288-pound Pacific Halibut at Swiftsure Bank in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This incredible catch broke state records, and no one has beaten it yet.   

2. Pacific Sanddab – 1.22 lbs 

Most Pacific sanddabs weigh less than .33 pounds but can grow to 2 pounds. So far in Washington, Bob Everitt caught the largest in Washington on July 1, 2017, weighing 1.22 pounds. This catch happened at Jefferson Head in Puget Sound, near King County. 

3. Opah – 113.40 lbs 

Opahs typically only average 100 pounds, but on September 7, 2018, Kyle Tapio caught one that was 113.40 pounds. He caught it while fishing in the Pacific Ocean in Pacific County, WA.  

4. Chinook Salmon – 70.50 lbs 

The chinook salmon is a saltwater fish that typically weighs around 30 pounds but can reach 129 pounds. On September 6, 1964, Chet Gausta snagged the largest Chinook Salmon ever caught in Washington. It weighed 70.50 pounds and was caught in Sekiu, WA.  

5. Cabezon – 25.20 lbs 

Usually, cabezon fish only grow to 15 pounds, but the largest caught in Washington weighed 25.20 pounds. Tony L. Rossberg caught the record-breaking fish on May 22, 1992, in Puget Sound at Hale Passage, near Fox Island.  

6. Burbot – 17.37 lbs 

Burbots can weigh anywhere from 2.2 to 26.5 pounds. Mike Campbell holds the record for the largest ever caught in Washington, 17.37 pounds. He made the catch on April 24, 2004, in Bend Lake, Pend Oreille County.   

7. Tiger Muskellunge – 37.88 lbs 

Often called tiger muskies, these fish typically weigh between 15 and 36 pounds. David Hickman caught a 37.88-pound tiger muskie on July 26, 2014, in Curlew Lake, Ferry County. As a hybrid species of Northern Pike and Muskellunge, the tiger muskie grows stronger and faster than the fish it came from. 

8. Yelloweye Rockfish – 27.75 lbs 

Yelloweye rockfish can weigh between 5 and 39 pounds, although the average is around 22 pounds. The largest ever caught in Washington was 27.75 pounds. Jan Tavis snagged it on April 15, 1989, at Dallas Bank in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.   

Summary of Largest Trophy Fish Ever Caught in Washington 

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