South Fork Skykomish fisheries to close above Sunset Falls, other Snohomish basin closures remain in place

June 26, 2024

Action: Closes all fishing. Includes Skykomish River, South Fork and all tributaries, beginning July 1, 2024.

Species affected: All species.

Effective dates: Immediately, until further notice.

Locations:

  • Closed to all fishing immediately, until further notice:
    • Snohomish River from mouth upstream.
    • Snoqualmie River from mouth to Snoqualmie Falls.
    • Skykomish River, North Fork.
    • Skykomish River, South Fork from mouth to 600 feet downstream of Sunset Falls fishway.
    • Cherry Creek.
    • Raging River.
    • Sultan River.
    • Tolt River from mouth to confluence of North and South Forks.
    • Wallace River from mouth to 200 feet upstream of water intake of salmon hatchery. 
  • Closed to all fishing from July 1, 2024, until further notice:  
    • Skykomish River, South Fork and all tributaries from Sunset Falls upstream.
  • See separate Fishing Rule Change for Skykomish River. 

This emergency rule overrides rules published in the Washington Sportfishing Rules pamphlet until further notice.

Reason for action: Limited allowable take of wild Chinook in the Snohomish system necessitates strict controls to conserve impacts for Fall in-river fisheries. Beginning July1, 2024, WDFW will begin transporting Chinook above Sunset Falls in the South Fork Skykomish River. More information regarding Snohomish Basin wild Chinook conservation and recovery efforts can be found in this WDFW blog post.

Additional information: Skykomish River from U.S. Highway 2 upstream to the forks, opened June 15. See Skykomish River Fishing Rule Change for additional information. Please see the Washington Sport Fishing rules pamphlet 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: Region 4 (Mill Creek 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.