A portion of the Sauk River to open for catch and release steelhead

January 21, 2025

Action:  Opens catch-and-release steelhead fishing.  

Effective dates:   Feb. 1-April 15, 2025.

Species affected:  Steelhead.     

Location:  Sauk River (Skagit/Snohomish Co.), from the mouth to the Darrington Bridge (Sauk Prairie Road Bridge).

Steelhead Rules: 

  • Open 7 days per week.
  • Catch-and-release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Wild steelhead must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water.
  • Selective Gear Rules (SGR) and Night closure in effect.
  • Fishing is prohibited from a vessel equipped with any motor.
  • All species other than steelhead are closed fishing to for or retaining. 

Reason for action:  The Skagit River wild Steelhead preseason forecast is 7,019 steelhead. In accordance with the Skagit steelhead Resource Management Plan, the expected runsize is sufficient to offer catch-and-release opportunity while staying within conservation guidelines. 

Additional information: The fishery will be monitored by WDFW to estimate impacts to Skagit winter steelhead and other fish species. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel personnel collecting catch information. Evaluation of possibility of season extension will not occur until the last 7 days of the scheduled fishery.  

Selective Gear Rules definition:  Gear is limited to artificial flies with barbless single-point hooks or lures with barbless single-point hooks and bait is prohibited. Up to three hooks may be used. Only knotless nets may be used to land fish. 

Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules. 

Information contact:  Mill Creek Regional Office, 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.