Fishing enthusiasts rejoice as the Cascade River is now open every day of the week for hatchery spring Chinook salmon fishing. Originally, the river was off-limits to recreational fishing on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays to prevent interference with treaty fishers. Now that the treaty fisheries have wrapped up for the season, those restrictions are lifted, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced.
Anglers hitting the river are encouraged to work with creel personnel to gather catch data, which is crucial for assessing if the fisheries are meeting conservation goals. Those planning to fish between July 1 to 15 can find details of this specific season in the 2025-2026 Washington State Sport Fishing rules pamphlet. Due to enforcement issues, the stretch from the upstream side of the Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge to 300 feet upstream is now out of bounds for fishing.
Before casting their line, fishers should stay informed about any emergent fishing rule changes. WDFW urges anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check their website for any emergency rulings regularly. Current fishing rules can also be found in the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, available through WDFW's communication channels.
To enjoy the fisheries, participants must have a valid Washington fishing license that matches the type of fishing they're engaging in. Specific definitions and regulations can be looked up in the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet. Since fishing rules are subject to change, anglers are advised to consult wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines for the most recent information, encompassing mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options.
