North coast tributary fisheries update

Action: Returns many north coast tributaries to permanent rules as listed in the 2022/23 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. Requires release of all Chinook in areas open for salmon fishing. Maintains closure of streams within the Queets River system (Clearwater and Salmon rivers).  

Species affected:  All Species.

Effective dates, Locations, and rules:

The following locations (including all tributaries to listed areas) return to permanent rules as listed in the 2022/23 rules pamphlet, beginning Oct. 31:  

1. Bear Creek (Clallam Co.) (Bogachiel Tributary)
2. Bear Creek (Clallam Co.) (Sol Duc Tributary)
3. Beaver Creek (Clallam Co.)
4. Big River (Clallam Co.), outside of Olympic National Park
5. Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to Olympic National Park boundary
6. Calawah River, (Clallam Co.), including North and South Forks, from the Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary 
7. Cedar Creek (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park
8. Dickey River, East and West Fork (Clallam Co.)
9. Goodman Creek (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary
10. Hoh River (Jefferson Co.), from Morgans Crossing boat launch upstream to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh
11. Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary
12. Kalaloch Creek (Jefferson Co.) outside Olympic National Park boundary
13. Mosquito Creek (Jefferson Co.) from Olympic National Park boundary upstream
14. Ozette Lake Tributaries (Clallam Co.), outside of Olympic National Park
15. Sitkum River (Clallam Co.)
16. Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from the concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery upstream to the National Park Boundary
17. Sooes River (Tsoo-Yess River) (Clallam Co.), outside of the Makah Indian Reservation
18. Thunder Creek (Clallam Co.)

The following locations (including all tributaries to listed areas) remain Closed Waters, until further notice:

1. Clearwater River (Jefferson Co.)
2. Salmon River (Jefferson Co.)

These areas and their tributaries return to permanent rules as listed in the 2022/23 rules pamphlet beginning Oct. 31, except anglers must release ALL Chinook in the following locations, until further notice:

1. Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge
2. Calawah River, (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge
3. Dickey River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the east and west forks
4. Hoh River (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Morgans Crossing boat launch
5. Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of the Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers
6. Quinault River, Upper (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.), from the mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary
7. Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery

Reason for action:  Recent and forecasted  rain events are expected to restore stream flows sufficiently to allow for spawning salmon to continue migrations to their spawning grounds, allowing for fishing seasons to resume. Chinook non-retention is necessary to help achieve escapement goals, as normal spawn timing has been impacted greatly by lack of water due to dry weather conditions over summer and into fall.

Additional information:  For Queets River fishing rules, contact Olympic National Park or see their fishing rules website at https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.

Anglers can be notified of in-season rule changes as they are announced by signing up for WDFW Regulation Updates at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.

Information contact:  Region 6 office, 360-249-4628