Skagit River to open for hatchery spring Chinook

April 18, 2025

Action: Opens a portion of the Skagit River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook.

Effective date: April 24 through May 14, 2025.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Location: Skagit River (Skagit County) from the Highway 536 bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to Gilligan Creek.

Rules: 

  • Open for Chinook salmon fishing only (all other species are closed).
  • Daily limit is two hatchery Chinook. Minimum size is 12 inches. Immediately release wild Chinook (adipose present) and all other species.
  • Night closure.
  • Anglers may fish with two poles with two-pole endorsement.

Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of hatchery spring Chinook are forecast to return to Marblemount Hatchery.

Additional information: Fishing for other species in this area will remain closed per the current 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. The fishery will be actively monitored by WDFW. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel personnel collecting catch information.

Closures to prevent conflicts during tribal fisheries are possible. In-season fishing rule changes will be announced as soon as possible. 

This fishery is covered through May 14 by the 2024-2025 NOAA Fisheries biological opinion. The fishery will be extended through May 31 provided it is approved under a 2025-2026 Biological Opinion covering fisheries resulting from the 2025-2026 North of Falcon Process, and the fishery is within conservation guidelines.

Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.

Information contact: Puget Sound Region, 425-775-1311.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.