Coastal Steelhead Management

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is committed to helping to advance conservation of coastal steelhead while maximizing possible angling opportunities. 

For graphs of adult steelhead and/or redd counts, run timing, and other in-season information from select locations in WDFW Coastal Region 6, visit the Coastal steelhead in-season indicators page.

More information about upcoming opportunities to learn more and get involved in coastal steelhead management is available in the timeline below. 

Share your feedback: 

Use our comment form below to share feedback directly with WDFW fishery managers. Note: These comments will also be shared with members of our Ad-Hoc Coastal Steelhead Advisory Group

Post-season and pre-season timeline

2022
  • Aug. 2022

    Commission meeting

    WDFW staff shared a coastal steelhead update with the Fish and Wildlife Commission's Fish Committee during its Aug. meeting and discussed the approach for public engagement throughout the upcoming 2022-2023 season. View meeting materials and a meeting recording

  • September 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting

    WDFW staff briefed the Fish and Wildlife Commission on pre-season planning for the upcoming coastal steelhead season during its Sept. 22-24 meeting. Reference the agenda and meeting recording

  • Early October 2022

    Pre-season preparations

    WDFW will finalize pre-season forecast agreements with tribal governments and meet with tribal co-managers to develop management plans to guide the 2022-2023 coastal steelhead season. 
     

  • Oct. 20, 2022

    Virtual Town Hall No. 1

    WDFW fishery managers shared more information about preliminary indications of 2021-2022 steelhead returns and took feedback on the 2022-2023 coastal steelhead season. Thanks to all who joined us. 

    Meeting recording 

    Reference the meeting recording and meeting materials

  • Oct. 27, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission Fish Committee meeting

    Following the first virtual town hall, WDFW staff provided an update to the Fish and Wildlife Commission's Fish Committee during its Oct. 27 meeting. Reference the meeting recording

  • Nov. 10, 2022

    Virtual Town Hall No. 2

    WDFW fishery managers held an early November 2022 virtual public town hall to share information about steelhead biology and management, including the Statewide Steelhead Management Plan, stock assessment, escapement numbers, and creel monitoring. Discussion included some possible regulatory options for the 2022-2023 season. 

    Meeting recording 

    Reference the meeting recording and meeting materials

  • Nov. 10, 2022

    Draft Coastal Steelhead Proviso Implementation Plan

    WDFW released a draft of its Coastal Steelhead Proviso Implementation Plan for public review through Nov. 20. More information is available in our news release. Review the draft plan and comment online

  • Nov. 17, 2022

    Nov. Fish and Wildlife Commission Fish Committee special meeting

    Following the town hall, WDFW staff briefed the Fish and Wildlife Commission's Fish Committee during a special committee meeting on the latest updates around the 2022-2023 coastal steelhead season. Discussion also included an update on Coastal Steelhead Proviso Implementation Plan development. Reference the meeting recording

  • Mid November 2022

    Coastal steelhead pre-season approach identified with co-managers

    WDFW fishery managers and tribal co-managers will finalize management plans that guide the approach to the 2022-2023 coastal steelhead season. 

  • Nov. 28, 2022

    Virtual Town Hall No. 3

    During this town hall, WDFW fishery managers heard public feedback and shared their recommendations to the Director with meeting attendees for the approach to the coastal steelhead season. 

    Meeting recording 

    Reference the meeting recording and meeting materials

  • December 2022

    Seasons announced

    WDFW announced the final approach for the 2022-2023 season. Reference our news release for more information. 

Coastal steelhead season approach finalized for 2023