Action: Opens a portion of the Cascade River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook.
Effective dates: May 22–May 26. And June 3–July 15 on Wednesdays–Saturdays only
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Location: Cascade River (Skagit County) from mouth to Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge.
Salmon Rules:
- May 22–May 26:
- Salmon, open daily: Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four including no more than two adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Night closure and Anti-snagging rules in effect.
- May 27–June 2:
- Closed.
- June 3–July 15:
- Salmon open Wednesdays–Saturdays only: Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four including no more than two adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Night closure and Anti-snagging rules in effect.
Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of hatchery spring Chinook are forecast to return to Marblemount Hatchery. Closure days are to prevent gear conflicts with tribal fisheries.
Additional information: Please note game fish season are closed during the months of May and June meaning Dolly Varden/bull trout must be released. Dolly Varden/bull trout release will also be required during open salmon seasons when game fish seasons open beginning July 1 and will be reflected in the upcoming 2026-2027 Washington Sportfishing Rules. The area from the upstream side of the Rockport-Cascade Rd. bridge to 300 feet upstream is closed waters during all recreational fisheries (including game fish) due to enforcement issues.
This opening schedule provides fishing opportunity over Memorial Day Weekend. 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 goals for salmon.
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.
Information contact: North Puget Sound Region, TeamMillCreek@dfw.wa.gov, (425) 775-1311.