Skagit, Sauk Wild Steelhead Fishery To Close After This Thursday

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

The Skagit and Sauk rivers will close to all fishing on Friday, April 11, due to lower than anticipated returns of wild steelhead. The last day open for steelhead fishing will be this Thursday, April 10.

In-season catch surveys, test fishing, and other fisheries monitoring by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Skagit co-managing tribes has led fisheries managers to downgrade the 2025 steelhead forecast to 5,151 wild steelhead. The preseason forecast was 7,019 steelhead.  

Given the significantly lower estimated return and high levels of fishing activity, the fishery is closing to protect spawning steelhead, reserve remaining steelhead impacts for spring salmon fisheries, and ensure guidelines in the Skagit River Steelhead Resource Management Plan (RMP) are met. The RMP is available on this NOAA Fisheries webpage. 

“We understand that closing this popular fishery early will be a disappointment for some anglers and guides—including those who travel from around the state and even around the world to experience the National Wild and Scenic-designated Skagit and Sauk rivers and their wild steelhead,” said Edward Eleazer, WDFW’s North Puget Sound Region Fish Program manager. “However, given in-season data, this closure is important to conserve the steelhead population and support future fisheries.” 

The recreational catch-and-release steelhead fishery has been open daily since Feb. 1. Tribal co-managers are also closing their steelhead fisheries early due to conservation concerns. 

In 2007, steelhead in the Puget Sound population—including wild fish returning to the Skagit—were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

The 10-year Skagit River Steelhead Fishery RMP allows state and tribal co-managers to operate steelhead-directed fisheries with stringent guidelines, monitoring and catch sampling, and enforcement.  

More information on Skagit steelhead management is available on this WDFW webpage, including a report on the Quicksilver Portfolio, a collaborative plan for restoring Puget Sound steelhead and fisheries.