Meanion Loc: Yelm wa

I’m new to the area and the wife and I are living the dream. Right on the river. The last house on a dead end road. So we have seen otters outside. Is this good or bad. When do the fish typically run, salmon, silvers etc? So many questions

Steps leading to cabin

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

Talk to your fishing locals and bait store's

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Well, you’ve got winter steelhead, spring salmon, summer steelhead, fall salmon and silvers. I’ve never fished the Nisqually, so predicting their exact timing, you’d be better advised, as Ranger suggested, by a local fisherman or a bait shop. Good luck and welcome to the Stage… 🐟on

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 😊

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Check out the favorite local bank fishing holes once a week. Weekends are best. Don't bring your rod. The locals will tell you when the fish are running just by their presence. It is also a good idea to watch the boats in the river. By not having a rod, you can approach without the fishermen becoming defensive. If you show respect and a friendly demeanor, most fishermen will bubble over with more information than you need to know. Most fishermen love to brag and show off their fish and skills. The second advantage of not having a rod is that you will pay attention to what they are doing rather than what you are doing. Keep in mind that salmon runs can change by several weeks based on rain and weather. Also remember that great and skunk fishing can change from day to day and even hour to hour. Salmon are on the move to their spawning grounds so they may come in on a tide by the thousands being so thick it is hard to fish them without accidentally snagging a few. Then they can be gone upstream leaving the water that was packed with fish, near barren. That is the way river salmon fishing is. Note:
The further up river you are, the more the fish spread out, so within reason, the more consistent (consistent, not necessarily better) the fishing is given that the fish are in the river. Good luck.

Jim Bradbury Loc: Buckley Washington

Looks like a great spot for Plunking.

I am not sure of what runs of fish the Nisqually gets. I know it has Fall Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon in the fall. I am sure that there is a run of winter steelhead too. I do not know about Spring and Summer run Chinook in that river.

thuner Loc: Seattle Washington

I see you already have all the info you need. I can add that the winter chum run on the Nisqually is the latest run in the Sound and has some of the largest fish. It goes into January. But the more salmon you catch, the less interested you might be to go after chum. Good fighters, but you won't be as excited about the meat. -needs a lot of help....

Jim Bradbury Loc: Buckley Washington

I agree with Thuner above. Chum are a lot of fun to catch but are not the best table fare. Like Thuner, I too would fish Chum Salmon catch and release. They are fun to catch.

Meanion Loc: Yelm wa

Wow, thank you all for the great advise. So far the wife has out done me with her skills but only landing rainbow trout.

thuner Loc: Seattle Washington

You have your fish answers so I’m now responding to your otters question. They are fun to watch but despite their name, they spend much of their time in the woods. And are attracted by fish. They look for safe places to den as well. So they will be at your house.

Be sure there is NO access under your house, garage, shed etc. Keep everything sealed. Throw cleaned fish waste into the river - not your garbage cans. The smell of river otter excrement from an otter den will literally drive you out of your home. Worth avoiding.

Meanion Loc: Yelm wa

Good to know and thank you. I figured they were attracted to the fish and when I see them in the water ( usually 1 or 2 times a month ) I figured there eating the rainbow trout You all are so very helpful.

SLMNYZR Loc: WA

Lots of good stuff for you Sir.
I camp at the Riverbend Camp Ground ever year since 1992. It is right on the river ran by the Nisqually Sportsman's Club. It is a fical river. The best time to fish the chromers(Steelhead) is after a good rain. During the run of course. Since you are on the river you are golden. The summer Chinook usually opens July 1. But not always. So make sure to look in to that before casting.
If you are a wader. Make sure you can get them off quick. They fill up fast. That is never a good outcome. Never fish alone.. yadda yadda. So have fun and hoping you have many hook ups.