The Outdoor Report: Nooksack Spring Chinook Season Coming

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — While dozens of area kids competed in the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby on Saturday, PNW Daily connected with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police officers on the scene and got an exclusive early look at what anglers on the Nooksack River can expect this spring: a Chinook season is coming, and it has been a few years since that was true.

In other big news on the report this week, Yeager’s Sporting Goods has officially come on board as the sponsor. Yeager’s was out at the Kid’s Fishing Derby and Jr. Ski to Sea race over the weekend and PNW Daily caught up with local owners Kristin Uhrig and her son and store’s general manager, Wyatt.

PNW Daily is honored to partner with an iconic Bellingham business to continue bring you the best Outdoor Report possible, continuing in the long time legacy of John “Westy” Westerfield’s reports over the years. See our video reports from more information.

Exclusive: Nooksack Spring Chinook Season Expected

We hinted at the rumored season last week and confirmed preliminary details of the upcoming season from WDFW biologists, but this week we got more details from WDFW Police.

WDFW Police Sergeant Valentine told PNW Daily that while emergency regulations for the 2026 Nooksack River spring Chinook fishery have not yet formally released, anglers should expect rules similar to past years.

This Outdoor Report is sponsored by Yeager’s Sporting Goods, located at 3101 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham.

The fishery will focus on hatchery Chinook retention only. Wild Chinook and all other salmon species will require immediate release. Nightly closures and anti-snagging regulations will apply.

Expect a two-hatchery-Chinook daily limit with a 12-inch minimum size, according to the preliminary guidance Sergeant Valentine provided to PNW Daily.

Additional emergency rules and exact river-section closures are still coming from WDFW before the fishery fully opens. Watch the MyWDFW app and WDFW’s emergency rule page daily. This is not in the printed pamphlet.

Separately, WDFW’s draft freshwater salmon proposals for the broader season include multiple planned fisheries across the Nooksack, Skagit and surrounding systems. The draft outlines hatchery Chinook fisheries on portions of the Skagit beginning in late spring and summer, along with coho and sockeye opportunities later in the year.

Halibut and Bottomfish Seasons Underway

Washington’s 2026 halibut, lingcod and bottomfish seasons are now underway, bringing thousands of anglers onto Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and coastal waters.

Halibut in Marine Areas 5 through 10 opened April 2 and runs seven days a week through June 30. Coastal halibut in Marine Areas 1 through 4 opened April 30.

The statewide daily limit is one halibut, with no minimum size and an annual cap of six fish. If quota remains later in the season, WDFW may reopen select fisheries in August or September.

Lingcod and bottomfish seasons opened March 14 across most marine areas and continue through Oct. 17.

The daily limit is two lingcod. Marine Area 7, a key fishery for Whatcom County boaters, runs a shorter season from May 1 through June 15. Barbless hooks are mandatory for all species in Marine Areas 5 through 13.

Kids’ Fishing Derby Returns to Bellingham

Families gathered May 9 at Civic Field Pond for the annual Bellingham Kids’ Fishing Derby. The free event returns each spring through a partnership between Northwest Washington Steelheaders, Bellingham Parks and Recreation, Bellingham Technical College, Yeager’s Sporting Goods and WDFW.

PNW Daily was on hand and actually lended a hand as well while, Yeager’s-led instruction continued for excited kids throughout the day. Derby sessions ran for children ages 5-9 from 9 to 10 a.m., and ages 10-14 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Kids would race from shore to the weigh-in tables as time ran out on each age class. Others were just happy to go home with dinner.

Organizers offered educational activities focused on fish habitat and local waterways alongside the competition.

The derby has remained one of Bellingham’s longest-running youth outdoor traditions and serves as many younger anglers’ first introduction to fishing in Whatcom County.

License Changes Frustrating Anglers Across the Region

As fishing ramps up statewide, anglers are also adjusting to major changes in how WDFW licenses are sold.

WDFW announced April 30 it will discontinue waterproof, tear-resistant licensing paper as early as May 13 due to a global shortage of petroleum-based materials. Customers will instead print licenses on standard paper or use the MyWDFW mobile app.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding during these global supply chain challenges,” WDFW Licensing Division Manager Jennine Griffo said. The agency noted nearly 100,000 customers have already switched to mobile licensing this year.

At the same time, several longtime local license vendors have stopped offering WDFW services entirely.

LFS Marine and Outdoor in Bellingham announced April 28 it would no longer sell licenses in-store.

“LFS Marine and Outdoor will no longer be able to provide licensing services in-store, due to recent changes in Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife licensing process,” the company wrote. “We know this may be disappointing, and we’re happy to help you navigate the updated process.”

Dave’s Sports Shop in Lynden removed its WDFW kiosk last August, citing economic pressures. “This is a hard post to share, but we know how important the WDFW licensing kiosk has been to so many of you,” Dave’s wrote at the time.

WDFW acknowledged ongoing app problems including login, verification and Vehicle Access Pass display issues. Until the fix arrives, write your confirmation number and license plate on paper and place it visibly on your dashboard.

2026 Marine Fishing Seasons — Quick Reference

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