Albacore tuna can be caught off the Washington coast in summer and early fall. Even though albacore can be caught all summer and into October during certain years, August and September are the most popular months as albacore are usually more abundant and the weather is normally calmer.
Albacore tend to be found in the “blue water”, a mass of warmer Sea Surface Temperature (SST) water typically found off the West Coast of North America during summer and fall, and off Southern California year-round. Recreational anglers typically fish for albacore 40 to 100 miles off the Washington Coast, with commercial fishers regularly venturing even further. Occasionally albacore will come in as close as 30 miles and, on rare occasions, they have been known to come in as close as 15 miles or less.
Many charter boats target albacore out of Westport and Ilwaco on both one-day and multi-day trips, while independent (non-charter) anglers with large, ocean-capable boats also fish tuna out of these ports as well as occasionally La Push, Neah Bay and Sekiu when weather and water conditions allow. Recreational albacore trips can last one to three days depending on the distance traveled to the tuna grounds.
Local anglers may choose to can, freeze or freshly prepare their catch. For safe, research-based ways to can or freeze your fish, please visit the attached links below for great information.