June 2, 2025
Action: Opens sockeye salmon retention.
Effective date: June 16 through July 15, 2025.
Species affected: Sockeye salmon.
Location: Skagit River (Skagit County) from the Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete (Catch Record Code 830).
Rules:
- Minimum size is 12 inches.
- Daily limit is four sockeye salmon. Release all salmon other than sockeye salmon.
- Night closure in effect.
- Two-pole fishing allowed with Two-Pole Endorsement.
Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of sockeye salmon are forecast to return to the Baker River system.
Additional information: Selective gear rules remain in effect if fishing for gamefish but are not in effect for sockeye salmon. If anglers are not following selective gear rules, all species other than sockeye salmon must be released. Please see the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for gamefish rules in these sections. The 2024-2025 pamphlet is in effect through June 30. The 2025-2026 pamphlet is in print and goes into effect July 1.
The sockeye salmon harvest guideline in the river fishery is 25% of the state share. The remaining 75% is reserved for Baker Lake opportunity. The Baker Lake sockeye season will begin July 12, and rules will be published in the 2025-2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. The river sport share is initially set at over 6,000 fish. That number will likely change with in-season run-size updates.
There will be periodic closures to prevent conflicts during tribal fisheries. In-season closures will be announced as soon as possible. Harassment and interference of tribal fishers is unacceptable and will lead to additional closure times and areas.
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 additional fishing rules.
This fishery will be actively monitored by WDFW. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel personnel collecting catch information. Monitoring and evaluation of fisheries is an important part of ensuring we are meeting our conservation and harvest goals for salmon.
Information contact: North Puget Sound Region, 425-775-1311.