Marine Area 13 receives two chinook returns. The spring Chinook (king) salmon run arrive in June and July in the south sound making their way to return to Minter Creek hatchery. The fall chinook (king) salmon run arrives about a month after the spring chinook, also destined for Minter.

Similar to the Area 13 black mouth fishery, you can find the AREA 13 spring and fall chinook returns in all the obvious places, including: the shoreline by Tacoma Narrow Park, Point Fosdick, Fox Point, the shoreline between Fox Point and Gibson Point, and of course Gibson Point.

My favorite place to fish AREA 13 spring/fall chinook returns is on the south side of Fox Island. The locals here like to jig and mooch, but I have been very successful trolling. You can troll closer to Fox’s south shore in 90 to 100 feet of water or out deeper in 200-300 feet of water. If you troll in the deep water try to keep your gear above the bait. Don’t be afraid to go deep if needed; 130-150 feet or deeper if you are set up to do so.

I’ve had good success running flasher and spoon combinations, but also like to run a green j-plug. Normally there is a ton of herring on the south side of Fox so the j-plug is effective. But like always, pay attention to the bait that’s around. If you catch a fish, cut it open and see what it’s been eating. If it’s eating candle fish, go with a small spoon, coho killer, or even a needlefish hoochie.