About Quinault Canyon

Quinault Canyon is an outer-exposed drop-off off Westport, Washington, where the seafloor plunges from 600 to 3,000 feet, drawing deepwater and pelagic species alike. Sablefish hold along the deepest reaches of the canyon slope, while albacore tuna move through the surface waters from July to October. Anglers troll cedar plugs, feather jigs, and skirted lures for tuna, then switch to live anchovies or sardines when fish sit under the boat. Lingcod stack up on the harder structure of the drop-off from February to April and respond to jigging with metal jigs and leadhead jigs rigged with swimbaits. Pacific halibut peak from March to July, taken by drifting herring, squid, salmon bellies, or octopus across the ledges.