Skagit River fishing updates
Action: Maintains previously announced bait prohibitions, single-point barbless hooks requirement for salmon, and reduced daily limit of two coho on the upper Skagit River. Maintains previously announced rules for the Cascade River. Updates fishing closure schedule for tribal fisheries in a portion of Skagit River.
Effective date: Oct. 9–31, 2026.
Species affected: All species, coho salmon.
Specific locations and rules:
Cascade River from mouth to Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge:
- Salmon daily limit four coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than coho. Bait prohibited and single-point barbless hooks required for salmon.
- Closed to all fishing Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.
Skagit River from the mouth to Gilligan Creek east of Sedro-Woolley:
- Salmon daily limit two coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than coho. Bait prohibited and single-point barbless hooks required for salmon.
Skagit River from Gilligan Creek to Baker River:
- Oct. 9–11: Salmon daily limit two coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than coho. Bait prohibited and single-point barbless hooks required for salmon.
- Oct. 12–15: Closed to fishing for all species.
- Oct. 16–31: Salmon daily limit two coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than coho. Bait prohibited and single-point barbless hooks required for salmon.
Skagit River from Baker River to Marblemount Bridge (Cascade River Road):
- Salmon daily limit two coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than coho. Bait prohibited and single-point barbless hooks required for salmon.
Reason for action: The closure period has been reduced for the scheduled tribal treaty fishery occurring between Gilligan Creek and the Baker River. Refer to WDFW's webpage for information on tribal fishing.
Bait and barbed hooks remain prohibited because total incidental Chinook encounters have continued to accrue. Skagit summer–fall timed sport fisheries have now used more than 80% of available Chinook encounters. Proactive measures are warranted to reduce the likelihood of Chinook catch and decrease hook-and-release stress on Chinook.
Additional information on sport fisheries: This season has seen more Chinook catch during the coho sport fishery than has been observed since active in-season fall salmon fishery monitoring began in the Skagit River in 2021. To preserve the coho fishing opportunity, anglers are advised to avoid fishing in areas where Chinook are or are known to hold.
Anglers are also reminded to be sure to identify their catch before retaining a fish. Size is not a reliable indicator of salmon species. Numerous Chinook and pink salmon have been observed in catch this year that anglers had misidentified, thinking they were coho. Salmon identification guides are available on WDFW's website (PDF) and in fishing regulations.
Dolly Varden/bull trout remain closed to targeting or retention under the annual regulations, and a night closure is in effect in Skagit and Cascade rivers during open periods.
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 Washington Sport Fishing Rules for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: North Puget Sound Region, 425-775-1311.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov 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.