Finishing up research on my "pet project" and discovered this bit of information...
Herring Spawning Grounds

For those that have asked about specific migration patterns, I haven't found any documented research conclusive to particular routes in Puget Sound. However, herring do appear nomadic in natural following the greater concentrations of zooplantoon.

For you die-hard Pt Defiance (over-rated) bubbas, QMH will hold bait year around. It is definitely worth a look this month.... A good portion of the largest fish were caught here last year.

Thats very good info. Thanks for sharing.

Nice post DR!

In case Mr BM. is reading this, be careful, us anglers are getting smarter!

Thanks for the read Downriggin'. Good information.

Downriggin, did your research turn up any information on herring spawning in Holmes Harbor (W. Whidbey)??

Years ago there was a commercial herring trap there, and the 'Blackmouth' used to hang around the trap waiting for crips to fall through the webbing, (so did the 'doggies)..

The trap has been gone for a long time,,,,,wonder what happened to the herring??? I suppose the seals would clobber them now!!

Peri,

Yes, I do have a little information...

My research indicated that the Holmes Harbor Stock has a brief spawning period of mid- February to mid-March with pre-spawn staging starting in early January. However, spawning may take place as late as the end of April. I don't have specifics as far as numbers, but there are few possibilities as far as low numbers. (1) Predation (50%-70% mortality rate) and (2) the stock may not be spawning in the immediate area.

Nice Dowriggin'. Based on my success and lack there of up north, I can draw a definite correlation between the places that I fished and caught nice keeper blackmouth and places that I didn't.

Nice Dowriggin'. Based on my success and lack there of up north, I can draw a definite correlation between the places that I fished and caught nice keeper blackmouth (that match the chart) and places that I didn't.