Skagit River to open to sockeye fishing

June 13, 2017

Action: Open a section of the Skagit River to fishing for sockeye salmon.

Effective dates: June 11 through July 15, 2017.

Species affected: Sockeye salmon.

Location: SKAGIT RIVER (Skagit County) from Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) to the mouth of Gilligan Creek.

Daily limit: 3 sockeye salmon only.

Reasons for action: This action will implement the 2017/18 salmon rules recently adopted during North of Falcon regulation process. These dates are not listed in the current (2016/2017) fishing rules pamphlet.

Other information: Night closure is in effect. The season may close earlier if the guideline is attained.

The sockeye fishery, along with other fisheries on the Skagit River, are tentatively scheduled to close June 28, 29, July 6, 7, and 11 to avoid gear conflicts with tribal fisheries scheduled those dates. Those dates may change as catches and river conditions change. For updates, anglers should check the emergency rule webpage at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.

The sockeye fishery at Baker Lake will open on July 8 with a 4-fish daily limit. Please refer to the Baker sockeye webpage located at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/salmon/sockeye/baker_river.html for further information on seasons, fishing rule updates and fish counts.

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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.