Appearance

• Surf perch are a thin dorsal fish that can grow to be about 1.5 feet long. They have silver scales and spiny dorsal fins.
  
  

Habitat

• Surf perch live throughout the Pacific Northwest, typically close to the shore. The perch like to swim in with the waves, gobble up sand crabs and other food, and then swim back out with the same wave. Surf perch are also known spend a great deal of time looking for food in the offshore trenches that form parallel to the beach.
  
  

Fishing Locations

• Anglers can find surf perch in the ocean anywhere along the coast of Washington. To manage fishing, the state has divided sea fishing into 13 zones. Each zone has its own sea fishing regulations, but fishing for surf perch is allowed in every single zone. Catch limits do vary by zone though. The zones that directly face the Pacific Ocean have a catch limit of 15 perch per day; the zones located in Puget Sound have a catch limit of 10 fish per day.
  
  

Fishing Licenses

• Anyone fishing in Washington needs a fishing license. Fishermen can acquire either a combination license, which allows for fishing in any body of water, or a saltwater-only license. As of 2010, combination licenses were $48.20 for residents and $91.40 for non-residents. Saltwater-only licenses were $22 for residents and $45 for non-residents.
  
  

Gear

• Surf fishing requires that fishermen wade into the water. Given Washington state's cold ocean waters year-round, waders or a wetsuit are absolutely critical. Fishing reels should be able to hold at least 250 feet to cast and catch properly; the line should have a weight of 15 pounds. Additionally, fishermen also will need to use sinkers to help keep the bait from drifting more than desired in the ocean waves. Three-to-six-ounce sinkers should be sufficient, depending on the strength of the current.
  
  

Bait

• Surf perch respond to live bait like shrimp, clams and other shellfish. Artificial bait like bright flies and rubber tails can also attract surf perch.