Most of Snohomish watershed returns to permanent rules for scheduled fishing seasons

September 17, 2024

Action: Waters of Snohomish watershed, including Snohomish, mainstem Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers, return to permanent rules and will open as scheduled in the 2024-2025 Washington Sport Fishing Rules, except Cherry Creek and Skykomish River tributaries are closed. 

Species affected: All species.

Effective dates: Sept. 21, 2024, until further notice.

Locations: 

  • Snohomish River, Snoqualmie River, Mainstem Skykomish River and Forks, Raging River, Sultan River, Tolt River, and Wallace River: return to permanent rules listed in 2024-2025 Washington Sport Fishing Rules.
  • Cherry Creek: closed waters.
  • All Skykomish River tributaries, including tributaries of North and South Forks, except Sultan River and Wallace River: closed waters.

Reason for action: Limited allowable take of wild Chinook in the Snohomish system necessitates monitoring and strict controls to conserve impacts for fall in-river fisheries. The opening dates listed in the sport rules pamphlet have taken into account that most returning Chinook will no longer be present in those areas. Cherry Creek and Skykomish tributaries will remain closed to avoid impacts to spawning Chinook that remain present in those systems.

More background information regarding Snohomish Basin wild Chinook conservation and recovery efforts can be found in this WDFW blog post. 

Additional information:

Some notable opening dates for gamefish and salmon seasons include (see 2024-2025 Washington Sport Fishing Rules for details including specific areas, gear, and other restrictions):

  • Snohomish River, from mouth to Pilchuck River: Sept. 21.
  • Snohomish River, from Pilchuck River to confluence of Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers: Oct. 1.
  • Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers: Nov. 1.
  • Wallace River, from mouth to 200 feet upstream of water intake of salmon hatchery: Oct. 16.
  • Wallace River, from 200 feet upstream of water intake of salmon hatchery to Wallace Falls (game fish only): Nov. 1.
  • Raging, Sultan, and Tolt rivers (game fish only): Nov. 1.

Please see the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules  for additional rules and opportunities. The Fish Washington mobile app is another resource for up-to-date rules and opportunities. Anglers can be notified of all fishing rule changes as they are announced by signing up for WDFW rule change emails at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists. 

Information contact: Team Mill Creek, 425-775-1311 

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.