WDFW To Talk 2025-26 Coastal Steelhead Forecast, Possible Fisheries

Washington state steelhead managers will brief anglers on 2025-26 coastal winter run forecasts and proposed fishery regulations at a pair of upcoming virtual town halls.

WDFW will also provide a look back at last winter and spring’s returns, which they say were largely below escapement goals, during the Thursday, October 30 and Thursday, November 20 meetings held over Zoom. Both begin at 6 p.m.

This is the annual process the agency has used in recent years to gather public input and develop seasons for steelhead from Willapa Bay north to the Forks area. It is separate from the changes being proposed to the permanent fishing regulations for the same systems.

At next week’s meeting, WDFW is expected to provide status updates for coastal stocks and issue a “broad outlook” for this winter’s fisheries, and then next month report back on progress on state-tribal management plans and proposed fisheries.

Regional Fish Program Manager Chad Herring says the agency is “focused on balancing conservation of wild steelhead with providing meaningful fishing opportunities. We appreciate the public’s engagement and input as we’ve strived toward sustainable fishing seasons.”

In recent years, final season regulations have been announced after Thanksgiving. This year, that’s also about the time that the National Marine Fisheries Service has agreed to issue a key Endangered Species Act listing finding on Olympic Peninsula steelhead.