Baker River sockeye salmon season and counts

April 13, 2026 update: Tentative fishing dates for Baker Lake and the Skagit River are now available under the Skagit River and Baker Lake sockeye rules tab, below, as well as on the North of Falcon proposed fisheries webpage.

Baker sockeye management is a collaboration between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and Puget Sound Energy. Together we are supporting a sustainable resource and providing iconic and cherished salmon fisheries.

The Baker sockeye run has been recovering from a low of fewer than 100 fish in 1985 to a record return of nearly 92,000 fish in 2025. Learn more in our joint blog post. 

Baker sockeye are native to Baker Lake and the Baker River, a tributary to the Skagit River near the town of Concrete. Each year, sockeye returning to the lake are trapped below two dams on the lower Baker River before they are transported above these facilities where they are placed at artificial spawning beaches, used for production at WDFW and PSE's hatchery facility, or released into Baker Lake to spawn naturally or be caught by anglers.

Natural spawning takes place mostly in seeps and springs at the head end of the lake and in the upper Baker River above the lake, although some sockeye may also enter other tributaries. Fry from the artificial spawning beaches and from hatchery production are released into Baker Lake and Shannon Lake, where they rear naturally.

At the smolt stage, sockeye are captured at both the lower and upper dams and released downstream for their seaward journey.

Recreating responsibly at Baker Lake

The increasing popularity of the Baker Lake sockeye fishery means anglers must recreate responsibly and be good stewards of water access areas and campgrounds to help preserve this fishing opportunity for the future.

WDFW, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and co-manager tribes have discussed challenges this growing fishery can present for the limited boat ramps, campgrounds, restrooms, and trash removal available around this relatively remote lake, particularly following reductions in national forest staffing and maintenance budgets.

Baker sockeye anglers should be prepared for mandatory aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspections before launching watercraft, expect limited restrooms and other facilities, and pack-out their trash if bins are full or not available at campgrounds and water access areas. Other tips for recreating responsibly outdoors are available at the Recreate Responsibly website.

Aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection and decontamination 

To protect our waters and prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS), roving watercraft inspections will be conducted on boats, kayaks, and other watercraft entering Baker Lake during the sockeye salmon fishery. AIS like invasive mussels threaten our environment, fisheries, recreation opportunities, and economy – potentially costing industries and taxpayers millions.

Inspectors will be wearing high-visibility WDFW vests and looking for AIS hitching a ride on your watercraft or trailer. Signage will also be present. If an inspector is present, inspection is mandatory. Clean, drain, and dry your watercraft before arriving to help speed up your inspection. If AIS are identified on your watercraft, WDFW Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination staff will provide free decontamination after inspection.

If it’s been in the water, it could be transporting AIS. Help protect our waters by remembering to clean, drain, dry and participating in watercraft inspections.