March 4, 2021
March 5, 2021
Update to wild steelhead conservation rules implemented on Coastal tributaries
Action: Updates rules for coastal tributaries regarding gamefish seasons, fishing from a floating device, Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed in all areas open to fishing and requires release of all rainbow trout in those areas.
Effective date: Monday March 8, 2021, until further notice
Species affected: All species.
Locations and rules:
Bear River (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8 the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Calawah River: (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to the forks:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth upstream, including all forks: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Clearwater River (Jefferson Co.), from the mouth to Snahapish River: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Dickey River (Clallam Co.), from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the east and west forks:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Dickey River, West and East Forks (Clallam Co.):
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Elk Creek (Lewis/Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Fork Creek (Pacific Co.), from Fork Creek Hatchery rack upstream 500' at fishing boundary sign: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Hoh River (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Humptulips River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to confluence of East and West forks: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Humptulips River, West Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to Donkey Creek: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Naselle River (Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to the North Fork: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Nemah River, Middle (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Nemah River, North (Pacific Co.), from Hwy. 101 Bridge to Cruiser Creek: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Nemah River, South (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Newaukum River, including South Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 508 Bridge near Kearny Creek: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Newaukum River, Middle Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Taucher Rd. Bridge: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Newaukum River, North (Lewis Co.), from mouth to 400' below Chehalis City water intake: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Palix River (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Queets River (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.): Contact Olympic National Park for regulations. (360) 565-3000. www.nps.gov/olym/fishing.htm
Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021, until further notice: All species: Closed.
Quinault River, Upper (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.), from the mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary: Effective March 8, 2021 the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Satsop River and East Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to bridge at Schafer State Park, and from 400’ below Bingham Creek Hatchery dam to the dam: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.), from mouth to 100' below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream of Klahowya campground:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021, until further notice: All species: Closed.
Thunder Creek (Clallam Co.), from mouth to D2400 Rd.:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Willapa River (Pacific Co.), from mouth (City of South Bend boat launch) to Hwy. 6 Bridge (near the town of Lebam): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Reason for action: These measures are being taken to protect wild steelhead stocks. Most coastal wild steelhead runs are expected to return below escapement targets as they have the past four seasons and have failed to meet management objectives. In-season information and increased concern for meeting conservation objectives has lead to a closure in coastal rivers where escapement goals are unlikely to be met while maintaining emergency measure already in place for the Hoh and Quillayute systems.
This rule has been updated so as not to imply that potential upcoming salmon seasons will be closed in the Sol Duc and Quillayute rivers. Salmon seasons have not yet been set and no determination has been made regarding salmon seasons in these two rivers, this will happen after co-management meetings for the North of Falcon season setting process has concluded.
Information contact: Region 6 - Montesano, 360-249-4628
Update to wild steelhead conservation rules implemented on Coastal tributaries
Action: Updates rules for coastal tributaries regarding gamefish seasons, fishing from a floating device, Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed in all areas open to fishing and requires release of all rainbow trout in those areas.
Effective date: Monday March 8, 2021, until further notice
Species affected: All species.
Locations and rules:
Bear River (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8 the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Bogachiel River (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Calawah River: (Clallam Co.), from the mouth to the forks:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth upstream, including all forks: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Clearwater River (Jefferson Co.), from the mouth to Snahapish River: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Dickey River (Clallam Co.), from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the east and west forks:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Dickey River, West and East Forks (Clallam Co.):
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Elk Creek (Lewis/Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Fork Creek (Pacific Co.), from Fork Creek Hatchery rack upstream 500' at fishing boundary sign: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Hoh River (Jefferson Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson Co.), outside of Olympic National Park boundary:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Humptulips River (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to confluence of East and West forks: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Humptulips River, West Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to Donkey Creek: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Naselle River (Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to the North Fork: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Nemah River, Middle (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Nemah River, North (Pacific Co.), from Hwy. 101 Bridge to Cruiser Creek: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Nemah River, South (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Newaukum River, including South Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 508 Bridge near Kearny Creek: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Newaukum River, Middle Fork (Lewis Co.), from mouth to Taucher Rd. Bridge: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Newaukum River, North (Lewis Co.), from mouth to 400' below Chehalis City water intake: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Palix River (Pacific Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Queets River (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.): Contact Olympic National Park for regulations. (360) 565-3000. www.nps.gov/olym/fishing.htm
Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021, until further notice: All species: Closed.
Quinault River, Upper (Grays Harbor/Jefferson Co.), from the mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary: Effective March 8, 2021 the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Satsop River and East Fork (Grays Harbor Co.), from the mouth to bridge at Schafer State Park, and from 400’ below Bingham Creek Hatchery dam to the dam: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.), from mouth to 100' below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam: Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream of Klahowya campground:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021, until further notice: All species: Closed.
Thunder Creek (Clallam Co.), from mouth to D2400 Rd.:
1. Effective immediately through March 31, 2021: Fishing from a floating device is prohibited. Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. Release all rainbow trout.
2. Effective April 1, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Willapa River (Pacific Co.), from mouth (City of South Bend boat launch) to Hwy. 6 Bridge (near the town of Lebam): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor Co.): Effective March 8, 2021 through the Friday before Memorial Day: All species: Closed.
Reason for action: These measures are being taken to protect wild steelhead stocks. Most coastal wild steelhead runs are expected to return below escapement targets as they have the past four seasons and have failed to meet management objectives. In-season information and increased concern for meeting conservation objectives has lead to a closure in coastal rivers where escapement goals are unlikely to be met while maintaining emergency measure already in place for the Hoh and Quillayute systems.
This rule has been updated so as not to imply that potential upcoming salmon seasons will be closed in the Sol Duc and Quillayute rivers. Salmon seasons have not yet been set and no determination has been made regarding salmon seasons in these two rivers, this will happen after co-management meetings for the North of Falcon season setting process has concluded.
Information contact: Region 6 - Montesano, 360-249-4628