Baker Lake sockeye fishery opens July 8, one week ahead of schedule

July 13, 2023 update: Sockeye daily limit increased to 5 in Baker Lake

OLYMPIA – Anglers will be able to fish for sockeye salmon in Baker Lake from July 8 through Aug. 31, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

A record number of 14,647 sockeye have been trucked to Baker Lake for this early in July. Due to the unprecedented number of early returning fish, the lake will open earlier than the original scheduled date of July 15 to maximize fishing opportunity.

The daily limit is three adult sockeye salmon that exceed 18 inches. Two poles will be allowed with the Two Pole Endorsement. Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon angling gear until the daily salmon limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. The catch record card code is 825 for Baker Lake.

The lake escapement goal is 1,500 fish left to spawn naturally in the lake and tributaries. The Baker Lake preseason forecast was 31,296 and accounts for the total return to the Skagit before fisheries. For more information, to go the WDFW Baker Lake webpage.

Puget Sound salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon (NOF). The public is invited to participate in this process in late winter and spring of each year and can visit the WDFW NOF webpage for more information.

For full fishery details and regulations, see the emergency rule change at WDFW’s website. Permanent regulations can be found in the 2023-24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. To be notified of in-season rule changes as they are announced sign up for email notifications at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.