EXHIBIT 5.1

                               Perkins Coie LLP

         1201 Third Avenue, 48th Floor, Seattle, Washington 98101-3099
                Telephone: 206 583-8888 Facsimile: 206 583-8500


                                 June 4, 2001


Fisher Communications, Inc.
1525 One Union Square
600 University Street
Seattle, Washington 98101

     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to you in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("the Act"), which you are filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to up to 600,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $1.25 (the "Shares"), which may be issued under the
Fisher Communications Incentive Plan of 2001 (the "Plan").

     We have examined the Registration Statement and such documents and records
of Fisher Communications, Inc. and other documents as we have deemed necessary
for the purpose of this opinion. In giving this opinion, we are assuming the
authenticity of all instruments presented to us as originals, the conformity
with originals of all instruments presented to us as copies and the genuineness
of all signatures.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that any
original issuance Shares that may be issued pursuant to the Plan have been duly
authorized and that, upon the due execution by Fisher Communications, Inc. of
the certificates representing the Shares and the registration by its registrar
of such Shares and the sale thereof by Fisher Communications, Inc. in accordance
with the terms of the Plan, and the receipt of consideration therefor in
accordance with the terms of the Plan, such Shares will be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

                              Very truly yours,


                              /s/ PERKINS COIE LLP