About Copalis Rock / Copalis Head

Copalis Rock, also called Copalis Head, is an outer-exposed kelp reef over rocky bottom off Westport, Washington, with depths running from 20 to 80 feet. The reef structure holds Black Rockfish through much of the year, while Chinook and Coho Salmon move through on their peak run from June to September. Trolling dominates the salmon fishery here, with whole herring, anchovies, trolling spoons, and hoochies for Chinook and cut-plug herring, spoons, hoochies, and flashers for Coho. Anglers also work the reef with mooching using whole or cut-plug herring, or drop metal jigs when fish hold tight to structure. The rock and kelp along the edges concentrate baitfish, keeping both rockfish and passing salmon within the 20-to-80-foot range.