Action: Closes all fishing on the Clearwater River.
Effective dates: Oct. 16, 2026, until further notice.
Species affected: All species.
Location: Clearwater River (Jefferson County) from the mouth upstream.
Rules: Closed to all fishing.
Reason for action: This closure is necessary to protect salmon in the watershed and increase the likelihood of meeting conservation objectives. There are multiple factors affecting this decision. In-season monitoring of fisheries in the Queets River basin shows that coho harvest levels are well below projections, indicating the 2026 return may be below preseason expectation. Additionally, the amount of precipitation in the Queets watershed this summer was below normal and has led to low-water conditions, causing migrating Chinook and coho salmon to hold lower in the river instead of moving upstream to spawning grounds. While recent rains have allowed some salmon in the system to move upstream, low-water conditions in the river continue to affect migratory behavior and contribute to concern about the status of Chinook and coho escapement. Fishery managers will continue to monitor environmental conditions and the status of salmon migration within the watershed, and may reopen fisheries if conditions improve.
Additional information: 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 pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Coastal Region, 360-249-4628.