2025 North of Falcon public meeting schedule

Swimming salmon with red spawning colors.
Photo by Bureau of Land Management

Each year, state, federal and tribal fishery managers gather to plan the Northwest's recreational and commercial salmon fisheries. This series of meetings – involving representatives from federal, state, and tribal governments, recreational and commercial fishing industries, and members of the public – is known as the North of Falcon process.

The North of Falcon process coincides with meetings of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). North of Falcon also functions in tandem with the Pacific Salmon Commission's Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements, which guide the conservation and management of salmon fisheries for the U.S. and Canada.

Several advisory groups that provide input to WDFW on salmon management meet throughout the North of Falcon process. More information on those groups – including meeting schedules and advisory group rosters – can be found on the advisory group homepage.

2025 meeting recordings and materials

Find all 2025 meeting recordings and materials on events pages linked in the timeline. 

2025 North of Falcon timeline

2025

  • January-February

    Salmon run forecasts

    WDFW and tribal governments develop forecasts of salmon runs. 

  • March-April

    Co-manager negotiations

    WDFW and tribes hold government-to-government negotiations. 

    Visit the salmon and steelhead co-management webpage to view a schedule of these government-to-government negotiations. 

  • Feb. 28, 2025

    Initial salmon forecasts released

    WDFW and tribal governments release initial salmon forecasts for Columbia River, Puget Sound, and Washington Coast. This meeting has both in-person and online attendance options.

    Visit the Feb. 28 event page for meeting materials and recordings.

     

  • March 5-11, 2025

    Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting #1

    The Council is scheduled to address issues related to Pacific halibut, salmon, ecosystem, groundfish, highly migratory species (HMS), and administrative matters. This meeting has both in-person and online attendance options.

    Visit the PFMC website for event details, agenda, and materials.

  • March 12, 2025

    Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor joint fisheries discussion #1

    This meeting includes a presentation of ocean options and constraining stocks/NALF and local management objectives. There will be a session for public feedback. 

    This meeting is virtual only. 

    Visit the March 12 event page for registration information and meeting materials.  

  • March 18, 2025

    Columbia River fisheries upstream of the Snake River discussion

    This meeting is a discussion with WDFW fishery managers on forecasts and potential seasons for the upper Columbia (upstream of McNary Dam) and Snake rivers. A video presentation on potential fishery options will be posted shortly before the meeting.

    This meeting will be in-person only in Wenatchee, WA. 

    Visit the March 18 event page for more information. 

  • March 19, 2025

    North of Falcon #1

    The purpose of this meeting is to share management objectives and proposed fishery plans. 

    This meeting has both in-person and virtual attendance options. Virtual attendees can stream the main presentation, as well as the Puget Sound recreational, Puget Sound commercial, and ocean fishery breakout room. 

    Visit the March 19 events page for registration information and meeting materials.  

  • March 24

    Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting

    The purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments on the proposed management alternatives in preparation for adopting final salmon management recommendations at the April 2025 Council meeting. A summary of verbal comments heard at the hearings will be provided to the Pacific Council at its April 10-15 meeting in San Jose, CA.

    This meeting will be in-person only at the Chateau Westport in the Beach Room, 710 South Hancock Avenue, Westport, WA 98595

    Visit the PFMC website for event details, agenda, and materials.

  • March 25, 2025

    North of Falcon #2

    WDFW fishery managers will present information and analysis of preliminary fishery proposals. With public participation, staff will discuss preferred options for Puget Sound sport and commercial fisheries. This meeting has both in-person and online attendance options.

    Visit the March 25 event page for registration information and meeting materials.  

  • April 1, 2025

    Coastal and Strait of Juan de Fuca recreational fisheries discussion

    WDFW fishery managers host a discussion of management objectives and preliminary fishing opportunities for coastal and Strait of Juan de Fuca recreational fisheries in 2025.

    This meeting is virtual only. 

    Visit the April 1 event page for registration information and meeting materials.  

  • April 2, 2025

    Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor joint fisheries discussion #2

    WDFW fishery managers host a discussion of fisheries proposals based on feedback and public input.

    This meeting is virtual only. 

    Visit the April 2 event page for registration information and meeting materials.  

  • April 3, 2025

    Columbia River fisheries downstream of the Snake River: Recreational and commercial discussion

    Washington and Oregon fishery managers will discuss forecasts, management objectives, and potential recreational and commercial fisheries for the Columbia River downstream of the Snake River. They will begin with an overview and then lead breakout discussions on both fishery sectors. 

    This meeting has both in-person and virtual attendance options.

    Visit the April 3 event page for more information. 

  • April 3, 2025

    Puget Sound freshwater and marine recreational fisheries discussion

    This meeting includes a discussion of management objectives and preliminary fishing opportunities for Puget Sound freshwater and marine recreational fisheries in 2025.

    This meeting is virtual only. 

    Visit the April 3 event page for registration information and meeting materials.  

  • April 10-15, 2025

    Pacific Fisheries Management Council #2

    The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopts final recommended regulations for federal ocean fisheries and WDFW will adopt a list of agreed fisheries for marine and freshwater areas. Beginning April 11, WDFW staff plan to hold virtual public briefings.

    Register for virtual public briefings. 

    Visit the PFMC website for event details, agenda, and materials.

  • April-May

    Draft regulations developed

    WDFW fishery managers develop draft regulations for state fisheries based on public input, co-manager negotiations, and PFMC final regulations. 

  • Early June

    Public comment

    WDFW takes public comments on the proposed 2025-26 regulations package resulting from North of Falcon negotiations.

  • June

    Regulations adopted

    WDFW Director adopts state fishing regulations.

Ongoing co-management