Action: Opens a portion of the Skagit River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook.
Effective date: April 20–May 15, 2026
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 two hatchery Chinook. Minimum size 12 inches. Immediately release wild Chinook 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: This fishery will be actively monitored by WDFW. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel personnel collecting catch information. Information on fisheries for hatchery spring Chinook in upriver areas of the Skagit River as well as the Cascade River will be published once those fisheries are approved. For tentative fishery dates, refer to the North of Falcon Proposed fisheries webpage.
Closures to prevent conflicts during tribal fisheries are possible. In-season fishing rule changes will be announced as soon as possible. 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 pamphlet 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, TeamMillCreek@dfw.wa.gov.