Following yesterday afternoon’s press release announcing this winter’s Washington Coast steelhead seasons, WDFW has also posted the official fishing rule change notices for Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, Queets, Quinault, Hoh and Quillayute systems.

For the permanent record …

Willapa Bay tributaries fishing rules update

November 30, 2023

Action: 

• Implements Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed.
• Requires release of wild rainbow trout.
• Sets fishing closure dates.

Effective date:  Dec. 1, 2023, until further notice; except Palix River upstream of the Middle Fork is not open to fishing until Dec. 16, 2023.

Species affected:  All species.

Rules:

All species:  Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed.

Rainbow trout:  Release all wild rainbow trout.

Locations (the following waters will follow the above rules and will close to ALL fishing until further notice beginning on the date listed next to the water):

• Bear River (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Naselle River (Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to the North Fork:  Closed beginning April 1, 2024.
• Naselle River, South (Pacific Co.), from the mouth to Bean Creek:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Nemah River, Middle (Pacific Co.):  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Nemah River, North (Pacific Co.), from Hwy. 101 Bridge to Cruiser Creek:  Closed beginning  March 1, 2024.
• Nemah River, South (Pacific Co.):  Closed beginning  March 1, 2024.
• North River (Grays Harbor/Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 105 bridge to Raimie Creek:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
  
• Palix River (Pacific Co.): 
• From Hwy. 101 Bridge to the mouth of the Middle Fork:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• From the confluence with the Middle Fork upstream and all forks (including South Fork Palix River and Canon River):  Opens Dec. 16, 2023. Closed Beginning March 1, 2024.

• Salmon Creek (Pacific/Wahkiakum Co.):  Closed beginning March 1, 2024
• Smith Creek (near North River) (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
  
• Willapa River (Pacific Co.):
• From mouth (City of South Bend boat launch) to the WDFW access site at the mouth of Ward/Wilson creeks:  Closed beginning Feb. 1, 2024.
• From WDFW access site at the mouth of Ward/Wilson creeks to Hwy. 6 Bridge (near the town of Lebam):  Closed beginning April 1, 2024.

• Willapa River, South Fork (Pacific Co.):  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.

Queets, Quinault, and Grays Harbor rivers and tributaries fishing rules update

November 30, 2023

Action:  Closes fishing seasons for both gamefish and salmon.

Effective date:  Dec. 1, 2023, until further notice

Species affected:  All species.

Rules:  Closed to all fishing.

Locations (The following waters are closed, from the mouth upstream, to all fishing):

• Black River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Clearwater River (Jefferson Co.).
• Cloquallum Creek (Grays Harbor/Mason Co.).
• Copalis River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Elk Creek (Lewis/Pacific Co.). (will not open January 1 through March 31, 2024 as noted in the pamphlet.)
• Elk River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Hoquiam River including West and East forks (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Humptulips River including West and East forks (Grays Harbor Co.)
• Joe Creek (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Johns River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Moclips River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Newaukum River, including all forks (Lewis Co.).
• Queets River (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.):  Contact Olympic National Park for regulations.  (360) 565-3000. https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
• Quinault River, Upper (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.), from the mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary.
• Salmon River (Jefferson Co.), outside of Quinault Indian Reservation and Olympic National Park.
• Satsop River, including all forks (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.).
• Stevens Creek (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Van Winkle Creek (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Wishkah River (Grays Harbor Co.).
• Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor Co.).

North Coast/Olympic Peninsula rivers and tributaries fishing rules update

November 30, 2023

Action: 

• Updates rules for fishing from a floating device.
• Implements Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed in all areas open to fishing.
• Requires release of wild rainbow trout.
• Reduces steelhead daily limit for the Quillayute system (Bogachiel, Quillayute, Calawah, Sol Duc) and Hoh River.
• Sets fishing closure dates.

Effective date:  Dec. 1, 2023, until further notice; except Big River is not open for fishing until Jan. 1, 2024.

Species affected:  All species.

Rules:

All species:  Fishing from a floating device is prohibited except where otherwise noted in the Quillayute and Hoh River systems.

All species:  Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed.

Hatchery steelhead daily limit is 2.

Rainbow trout:  Release all wild rainbow trout.

Locations (the following waters will follow the above rules and will close to ALL fishing until further notice beginning on the date listed next to the water; any exceptions to the rule will also be listed next to the water):

• Big River (Clallam Co.), outside Olympic National Park:  Opens Jan.1, 2024. Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:  Fishing from a floating device is allowed downstream of the mouth of Mill Creek (located approximately ¾ mi. above the Bogachiel Hatchery). Closed beginning April 1, 2024.  See vessel fishing boundaries HERE.

• Calawah River, (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to the forks:  Fishing from a floating device is allowed downstream of Highway 101 Bridge. Closed beginning April 1, 2024.  See vessel fishing boundaries HERE.
• Calawah River, South Fork (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Cedar Creek (Jefferson Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Dickey River (Clallam Co.), from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream including  the East and West forks:  Closed beginning April 1, 2024.
• Goodman Creek (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
  
• Hoh River (Jefferson Co.):
• From Olympic National Park boundary upstream to DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch:  Fishing from a floating device is allowed ONLY on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Closed beginning April 1, 2024.
• From DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgans Crossing boat launch:  Fishing from a floating device is allowed ONLY on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. Closed beginning April 1, 2024.
• From Morgans Crossing boat launch to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh River:  Closed beginning April 1, 2024.

• Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary:  Closed beginning April 1, 2024.
• Kalaloch Creek (Jefferson Co.), outside Olympic National Park boundary:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Mosquito Creek (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Goodman 30000 Mainline Bridge:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers:  Fishing from a floating device is allowed. Closed beginning April 1, 2024.  
• Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream of Klahowya campground:  Fishing from a floating device allowed below the concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery.  Closed beginning April 1, 2024.
• Sooes River (Clallam Co.), outside of Makah Indian Reservation:  Closed beginning March 1, 2024.
• Thunder Creek (Clallam Co.), from mouth to D2400 Rd.: Closed beginning April 1, 2024.