Baker Sockeye Forecast Upgraded To 80,000 – Record High

Update, 2 p.m.,July 17, 2025: According to WDFW, after a meeting of state and tribal comanagers this morning to go over catches and return data, the forecast was boosted by 5,000 fish over yesterday’s update. They now expect 85,000, which would be even more recordy.

This year’s Baker Lake sockeye run is now expected to smash a record set just two years ago.

“Following this week’s review of catch in state and tribal fisheries, WDFW test fisheries and data from our SONAR hydroacoustic monitoring project near Sedro-Woolley, and counts of sockeye at Puget Sound Energy’s fish trap on the lower Baker River, WDFW and tribal co-managers are now forecasting 80,000 sockeye to return in the 2025,” the state agency’s Chase Gunnell reported this morning.

In 2023, 65,000 came back to the North Cascades system.

So with the runsize update, can anglers now expect, say, an eight-fish limit and three-pole trolling?!?!

“At this time we’re not expecting additional changes to the fishing regulations,” said Gunnell. “There is a generous six-sockeye limit allowed, as well as two-pole fishing with that license endorsement. Though as always, anglers are encouraged to check the Fish Washington mobile app or emergency rules webpage for updates before hitting the water.”

Fishermen have seen a wide range of results since Baker opened last Saturday, from an absolute slayfest to heading in after only touching (and losing) one.

“The reports we’ve heard are that the opening weekend was very good, with many boats out on Baker Lake and many of those reporting limits of their six sockeye per person,” reported Gunnell. 

“After the busy opening weekend, it sounds like it has settled into more normal sockeye fishing where experienced anglers are still finding plenty of fish, but with effort and dedication required, including changing up locations and gear used to find what’s working. Similar to other sockeye fisheries, smaller presentations can be more effective on fish that have been in the lake longer,” he added.

WDFW expects good fishing to continue through the end of this month and into August as more sockeye are trucked up from the Baker River trap near Concrete. Thousands have been arriving there daily. The preseason forecast was for 60,214 to the Skagit mouth.

The projected-record Baker sockeye return also provides a puzzling counterpoint to Lake Washington’s run, on track to be an all-time low. Baker has none of the water temperature and predation problems that have eaten into the King County lake’s population, which last saw a fishery in 2006.

Lake Washington sockeye were the subject of a large recent Seattle Times story that detailed ongoing efforts to rebuild the run by capturing adult sockeye at the Ballard Locks and taking them straight to a hatchery on the Cedar River. Sadly, Washington lawmakers this past session did not provide funding for a project that’s been netting yellow perch and other salmon-smolt eaters at key chokepoints. There have been calls for WDFW Director Kelly Susewind to include that in his agency’s 2026 supplementary budget proposal.

While the Columbia sockeye run will come in at about half of the preseason forecast, which has led to reduced days on the water and bag limit on the upper river, the Lake Wenatchee component of the run does appear to be on verge of or already has hit its escapement goal, good potential news for anglers as well.

Back on the west side of the Cascades at Baker, officials have been running aquatic invasive species checks on boats, kayaks and other watercraft putting into the lake that anglers should know about.

Per WDFW:

AIS like invasive mussels threaten our environment, fisheries, recreation opportunities, and economy – potentially costing industries and taxpayers millions.

Inspectors will be wearing high-visibility WDFW vests and looking for AIS hitching a ride on your watercraft or trailer. Signage will also be present. If an inspector is present, inspection is mandatory. Clean, drain, and dry your watercraft before arriving to help speed up your inspection. If AIS are identified on your watercraft, WDFW Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination staff will provide free decontamination after inspection.

Roving watercraft inspections will be conducted from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 – 13, 17 – 20 and 24 – 27 at: 

·       Kulshan campground and Puget Sound Energy’s Baker Lake boat launch
·       Panorama Point boat launches on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

If it’s been in the water, it could be transporting AIS. Help protect our waters by remembering to clean, drain, dry and participating in watercraft inspections.