Upper Skagit River Opens May 16 for Hatchery Spring Chinook

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will open a portion of the upper Skagit River to hatchery spring Chinook fishing beginning May 16, giving anglers an earlier-than-usual opportunity to target returning hatchery fish near Marblemount.

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

The emergency fishery runs through July 15 on the Skagit River from the Highway 530 bridge at Rockport upstream to the Cascade River Road bridge in Marblemount under Catch Record Code 830. WDFW said fishery managers expect enough hatchery spring Chinook to return to Marblemount Hatchery to support the opening.

Hatchery Chinook Rules on the Upper Skagit

Because the fishery opens earlier than in past years, state biologists warned that spawning steelhead will still be active in the river system. “Please attempt to avoid spawning steelhead,” the agency said in the announcement.

Creel Surveys and License Requirements

WDFW staff will conduct creel surveys during the season and asked anglers to cooperate with personnel collecting catch information. Monitoring angler success and harvest levels helps managers evaluate whether fisheries continue meeting salmon conservation goals.

Anyone participating must carry a valid Washington fishing license appropriate for the salmon season. Anglers can review regulations in the current Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet or through the Fish Washington mobile app.

WDFW also encouraged anglers to monitor emergency rule changes before heading out and to sign up for WDFW fishing rule notifications at wdfw.wa.gov.