Samish River anglers line the banks during low tide, with several appearing to use snagging techniques that would be prohibited under proposed 2026 regulations, which emphasize bait-only fishing and stricter enforcement rules. (PNW Daily)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Proposed salmon seasons for the Skagit, Nooksack, and Samish rivers in 2026 include an April 20 opener for spring Chinook on the Skagit River, giving anglers an early season reason to blow the fish whistle on the unofficial “4/20” holiday.
Proposed salmon seasons for the Skagit, Nooksack, and Samish rivers in 2026 lay out precise fishing windows, species limits, and restrictions that will directly impact anglers across Whatcom and Skagit counties.
The proposal shows a clear structure: short spring Chinook windows, a defined summer sockeye fishery on the Skagit, and heavy fall coho opportunity across all three systems, with strict limits on wild fish retention.
Proposed salmon fishing rules for the Samish River in 2026 would require anglers to use eggs as bait, eliminating lure-only fishing and adding new restrictions to an already limited Chinook fishery.
When will Washington salmon fishing seasons be finalized in 2026?
Washington salmon fishing seasons are expected to be finalized in mid-April 2026 during the North of Falcon process, with final decisions made at meetings scheduled for April 7–12.
Nooksack River Salmon Season 2026: Full Breakdown
Mainstem Nooksack (Lummi boundary to Deming)
- Aug. 1 – Sept. 30: Daily limit 6
- Max 2 wild coho
- Max 2 chum
- Max 2 hatchery Chinook
- Wild Chinook must be released
- Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: Daily limit 6
- Max 2 wild coho
- Max 2 chum
- Max 2 Chinook
North Fork (Hwy 9 Bridge to Maple Creek)
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 15:
- Max 2 wild coho OR 2 hatchery Chinook
- Release chum and wild Chinook
- Oct. 16 – Nov. 30:
- Max 2 coho or Chinook
- Release chum
North Fork Spring Chinook (Kendall area)
- May 23 – June 30:
- Daily limit 2 hatchery Chinook only
- All other salmon must be released
South Fork Nooksack
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 15:
- Max 2 wild coho OR 2 hatchery Chinook (or 1 of each)
- Release chum and wild Chinook
- Motors prohibited
- Oct. 16 – Dec. 31:
- Max 2 coho or Chinook
- Release chum
Key takeaway:
You can fish the Nooksack heavily in fall, but you must sort fish correctly. Wild Chinook stays off limits across the system.
Skagit River Salmon Season 2026: Exact Fishing Windows
Lower Skagit (Mouth to Hwy 536)
- Aug. 16 – Sept. 30:
- Daily limit 4 coho
- Max 2 wild
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31:
- Daily limit 2 coho
Mount Vernon to Gilligan Creek
- Apr. 20 – May 15:
- Daily limit 2 hatchery Chinook only
- June 16 – July 31:
- Daily limit 4 sockeye
- Aug. 16 – Sept. 30:
- Daily limit 4 coho (max 2 wild)
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31:
- Daily limit 2 coho
Upper Skagit (Concrete / Rockport sections)
- June 1 – June 15:
- Selective gear only (no general retention fishery)
- June 16 – July 31:
- Daily limit 4 sockeye
- Sept. 1 – Sept. 30:
- Daily limit 4 coho (max 2 wild)
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31:
- Daily limit 2 coho
Key takeaway:
The Skagit is your premiere multi-species river:
- Spring = hatchery Chinook
- Summer = sockeye
- Fall = coho
No other local system offers that spread.
When does salmon season start on the Skagit River in 2026?
Salmon season on the Skagit River is proposed to start April 20, 2026, with a spring Chinook fishery limited to hatchery fish through May 15.
Samish River Salmon Season 2026: New “Eggs Required” Rule Likely To Spark Debate
The Samish River could see one of the most controversial changes in Washington’s 2026 salmon season, as proposed rules would require anglers to use eggs as bait across the entire open stretch, effectively eliminating lure-only techniques and reshaping how the fishery operates.
Samish River (Mouth to Thomas Rd.)
- Aug. 1 – Sept. 30:
- Daily limit 2 Chinook
- Release all wild coho and chum
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31:
- Closed
Upstream (Thomas Rd. to I-5)
- Closed entire season
Under the proposal, anglers must use eggs as bait across the open stretch of the Samish River.
That means:
- No artificial lures alone
- No typical hardware-only setups
- No alternative bait options
This requirement adds to already strict regulations and will likely anger anglers who ethically oppose bait fishing. This would exclude fly fishing on the Samish River for kings, which is highly effective.
Why The Samish Rule Will Be Controversial
This “eggs required” rule represents a significant shift in how the Samish is fished.
For many anglers, it effectively:
- Eliminates common techniques like drifting hardware or casting spinners
- Forces a single method across the entire fishery
- Raises enforcement questions in a river already known for tight compliance rules
At the same time, the rule likely aims to:
- Reduce snagging
- Increase fair-hooked fish
- Protect weaker stocks moving through the system
What Anglers Need To Know
If adopted, the Samish River will become one of the most tightly controlled salmon fisheries in Washington.
Anglers planning to fish it in 2026 will need to:
- Adjust gear and bait setups
- Expect limited opportunity
- Focus specifically on Chinook retention
Coupled with a six-salmon limit on stretches of the Nooksack River, this would increase pressure on those systems and raise new enforcement challenges for fisheries managers.
Can you use lures on the Samish River in 2026?
No. The proposed rules require anglers to use eggs as bait, which would eliminate lure-only fishing methods on the Samish River.
What This Means For Anglers In Whatcom And Skagit Counties
- Best overall fishing: Skagit River (multi-season access)
- Most accessible fall fishery: Nooksack River
- Most restrictive: Samish River
Timing matters more than ever:
- Late May–June: Spring Chinook (limited)
- Mid-June–July: Sockeye on Skagit
- August–October: Peak coho across all rivers
Are These Salmon Seasons Final?
No. These are proposed salmon seasons.
Fishery managers will adjust dates and limits based on run size forecasts and co-management agreements. Some fall coho seasons could expand if returns come in strong.
Salmon fishing seasons in Washington are expected to be finalized in mid-April 2026, following negotiations between state and tribal co-managers during the North of Falcon process.
Final decisions typically come during the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting scheduled for April 7–12, where ocean and inland fisheries are aligned and adopted.
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I’m really hoping this new rule to be adopted,and police ,enforce this rule strictly.Please don’t let snaggers kill Samish river Thanks for sharing this information.Victor.z.
New regs say, eggs only, no weight…but snaggers will just buy the biggest swivels they can find to weight down there lines to continue snagging unless more enforcement efforts are achieved…I appreciate any and all enforcement efforts to curtail the illegal snagging of salmon.