The steelhead fishery on the Skagit and Sauk rivers opens on February 1, with forecasts predicting the return of 7,019 wild steelhead. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and co-managing tribes have approved the season.
The recreational fishing season on the Skagit and Sauk rivers runs through April 15. Anglers may retain up to two hatchery steelhead, but all wild steelhead must be released immediately. Areas downstream of the Dalles Bridge are closed to fishing to protect fish populations. Fishing from motorized boats is prohibited on the Skagit, and fishing from boats with motors is prohibited on the Sauk, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. These measures are part of the 10-year Skagit Basin Steelhead Fishery plan, which received NOAA Fisheries' approval in 2023.
Steelhead, a type of rainbow trout that can weigh up to 30 pounds, are important to the Pacific Northwest. This year's return is expected to be slightly lower than the 7,307 fish estimated in 2024, but the population remains stable. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will monitor the steelhead population through catch sampling and genetic testing. The new fishing license year begins on April 1.
