Action: Opens sockeye retention on a portion of the Skagit River.
Effective date: June 16 – July 31, 2026.
Species affected: Sockeye salmon and Dolly Varden/bull trout.
Location: Skagit River (Skagit County) from the Highway 536 bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete (Catch Record Code (CRC) 830).
Rules:
- Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye. Night Closure in effect. Two-pole fishing allowed with Two-pole endorsement.
- Release all Dolly Varden/bull trout.
Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of sockeye are forecast to return to the Baker system.
Additional information: Selective gear rules remain in effect if fishing for game fish but are not in effect for sockeye. See Definitions section. If anglers are not following selective gear rules, all species other than sockeye must be released. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for game fish definition and other rules in this section. The 2025-2026 rules are in effect through June 30, 2026. The 2026-2027 rules will be available soon and go into effect July 1, 2026.
For summaries of proposed fisheries, refer to WDFW's North of Falcon webpage.
The Skagit sockeye fishery will be actively monitored by WDFW. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel personnel collecting catch information. Monitoring and evaluation of fisheries is an important part of ensuring we are meeting our conservation and harvest goals.
There will be periodic closures to prevent conflicts during tribal fisheries. In-season closures will be announced via emergency fishing rule change as soon as possible. Harassment and interference of tribal fishers is unacceptable and will lead to additional closure times and areas.
The first expected closure period and area will be the stretch from Gilligan Creek to Dalles Bridge June 25 – 26.
For information on Baker Lake please visit Baker River sockeye salmon season and counts.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
tion contact: North Puget Sound Region, TeamMillCreek@dfw.wa.gov, 425-775-1311.