So far, we have reviewed Whidbey Island beach fishing locations from Possession Point to Fort Ebey State Park. Continuing north from Fort Ebey brings us to Monroe’s Landing on Penn Cove.

From Highway 20, take Monroe’s Landing Road to the end to find the park and boat ramp. This beach park is almost opposite Coupeville and is the location of a Native American village that stood on Penn Cove for centuries.

The beach slope is gentle and you will find sea run cutthroat trout and the occasional salmon here.

I’ve never seen another angler on this beach. There is plenty of room for a fly rod and this is a good alternative, if the wind is up on the western beaches.

Hastie Lake County Park is almost directly across the island at the intersection of Hastie Lake Road and West Beach Road. There are literally miles of beach access south of the parking area. You can fish for salmon and steelhead in the surf and among the boulders and kelp that provide both cover and a home for baitfish.

Be aware of the tides, because an incoming tide could leave you stranded with no way out. This is another underutilized spot where you will probably be fishing alone.

Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor between downtown and the marina is a good spot to fish for coho every year. There is parking on the street side.

Every fall the coho return to this bay because they were reared in pens tied to the marina docks. You will need waders or a small boat if you are fly fishing, because there is no room for a back cast, otherwise.

These fish swim around and around in the bay until they are caught or die. When the salmon are in, you can see them jumping and rolling and you can see them swimming by from the street or from the dock at the marina.

Dugualla State Park is a real sleeper. Most people don’t even know it’s there, and it’s a good hike just to get to the beach.

To get there, turn off Highway 20 at Sleeper Road going east. The park entrance is about two and half miles. There is no sign to identify it as a state park and there is a gate across the road. There is room to park before the gate. Then the fun begins.

Once inside the gate, the trail that takes you to the beach isn’t well marked. Go right at the first Y and left at the second. The walk is about a mile and a half.

The last section is a steep trail down to the beach. Once you find the beach, there is over a mile of pristine habitat. Expect cutthroat trout, and salmon. Be aware of the tides, as the beach disappears at high tide. Time your visit accordingly. If you are looking for a spot where you can fish in solitude, this is it.

Next week we’ll continue the exploration of fishing beaches on Whidbey.

See you on the water.