The possible salmon and steelhead fisheries for the whole state of Washington in 2024 and 2025 were set on April 11 at meetings of the Pacific Fishery Management Council in Seattle.
Season recommendations now move forward for approval by the National Marine Fisheries Service and final rule-making. Additional opportunities for public comment will be available on the North of Falcon webpage once dates are set. Salmon fishing regulations will be adopted in early June.
This page includes general information on current 2023-24 salmon and steelhead fisheries in Washington waters. All fisheries are subject to change.
These season summaries are not meant to be complete rules. The 2023-24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, which will be available in early summer 2023, will have more information and rules for each area. It will cover the rules from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
Anglers should also check for any emergency regulation changes for changes to fisheries before heading out.
Salmon fishing is a popular pastime in Washington with anglers eagerly awaiting the start of each season to have a chance to reel in these iconic fish. But with different salmon runs and varying regulations across the state it can get confusing to keep track of exactly when and where you can fish for salmon. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about salmon seasons in Washington so you can maximize your time on the water.
Overview of Salmon Seasons in Washington
In Washington, the seasons for fishing salmon depend on where you are and what kind of salmon you want to catch. Here’s a quick rundown:
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Puget Sound: Hatchery chinook salmon season usually starts in the middle of May in Puget Sound. Other types of salmon, like coho, chum, and pink, start coming in early to mid-July and go through September.
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Coastal Rivers Iconic salmon rivers like the Columbia, Snake, and coastal streams open up mid-August through October for chinook, coho, pink, and chum salmon.
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It is summer for chinook and coho salmon in rivers like the Yakima, Klickitat, and upper Columbia tributaries. These rivers open up in July or August.
So if you want to catch salmon in Washington, your best bet is typically mid-May through September for Puget Sound, July through October for inland rivers, and August through October for coastal systems. But let’s get into more details on specific areas.
Puget Sound Salmon Seasons
The Puget Sound offers some of the earliest and most accessible salmon fishing in Washington. Here are the typical opening days:
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Mid-May: Early hatchery chinook salmon fishing starts in Marine Areas 11 and 13 in mid-May. This fishery is focused on hatchery blackmouth salmon returning to hatcheries like Soos Creek.
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Early June: More areas of Puget Sound open up in early June, including Marine Areas 5, 6, 9, 10, 12 for hatchery chinook. Again, these early fisheries target returning hatchery blackmouth destined for facilities around the Sound.
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Mid-June: By mid-June, popular salmon fishing spots like Marine Area 7 around the San Juan Islands opens up for hatchery chinook. This kicks off the summer salmon fishing season in the scenic islands.
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Early July: The coveted pink salmon make their appearance in Puget Sound in early July. Find them in marine areas like 6, 7, 8, and 9 at this time. Chum salmon also become available.
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Late July: More areas of Puget Sound open for coho salmon starting in late July. This signals the start of the ocean coho return to Puget Sound.
Columbia River Salmon Season
The mighty Columbia River sees millions of salmon return each year. Here are the typical Columbia River salmon seasons:
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Mid-August: The popular Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia starts in mid-August. This targets chinook and coho salmon.
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Late August/Early September: The Columbia opens up in late August and early September all the way up to Chief Joseph Dam for fall chinook salmon. This is prime time for targeting the king salmon of the Columbia.
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Mid-September: The Columbia opens up mid-September from the mouth up to the Yakima River for coho salmon. Peak time for silver salmon!
So in general, target the Columbia River from mid-August through October for a chance at both chinook and coho salmon.
Coastal Rivers Salmon Season
Major coastal systems like the Hoh, Quillayute, and Quinault Rivers open up in:
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Mid-August: Selective fisheries for hatchery chinook salmon.
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September: The general coho salmon season opens up on coastal tributaries in September and remains open through November.
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Late October/Early November: Late chum and chinook salmon enter the coastal systems in the fall.
Key areas to focus on for coastal river salmon are the Olympic Peninsula streams, Grays Harbor tributaries like the Chehalis River system, and southwest Washington coastal rivers.
Inland Salmon Fishing Seasons
Rivers like the Klickitat, Yakima, and Wenatchee open up for both summer and fall salmon fishing:
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July to August: Target summer chinook salmon in the lower Yakima and Columbia tributaries starting in July.
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Mid-August: Coho salmon openers on inland rivers like the Klickitat and Yakima.
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September/October: continued opportunities for wild Columbia River coho.
Some of the best inland salmon fishing can be found on the Yakima, Klickitat, Wenatchee, and Methow Rivers. Focus efforts from July through October.
Changes to Watch for Each Year
While this provides a general overview of salmon seasons in Washington, keep in mind that the exact openers and closures may shift each year. It’s important to check the WDFW fishing regulations before each season to confirm the exact openings and rules. Factors like low salmon returns may lead to restricted seasons or closures for conservation.
By keeping track of the fishing regulations, you’ll have the most up-to-date information to maximize your salmon fishing success in Washington! With fantastic fisheries across the state, it’s worth taking advantage of these seasons to get out on the water and enjoy some of the best salmon fishing in the world.
Strait of Juan De Fuca
| Water | Season | Min. size | Daily limit | Additional rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dungeness River – Mouth to Gray Wolf River at Dungeness Forks Campground | Oct. 16 – Nov. 30 | 12” | 4 | Daily limit 4 hatchery coho only. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho. |
| Water | Season | Min. size | Daily limit | Additional rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoh River– Olympic NP boundary upstream to Dept. Natural Resource’s Oxbow Campground boat launch | Sept. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 4. Only 2 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a Chinook. Dec 1-15 daily limit 1 coho only. |
| Hoh River–Dept. Natural Resource’s Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgan’s Crossing boat launch | Oct. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 2. Only 2 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a Chinook. Dec 1-15 daily limit one coho only. |
| Sol Duc River– Mouth to concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery | May 1 – Aug 31 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 4. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release wild Chinook, wild coho and sockeye. Bait prohibited July 16 to Aug 31. |
| Sept. 1 – Sept. 15 | 12” | 6 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a wild Chinook. Release wild coho and sockeye. | |
| Sept. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 6 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a wild Chinook and 1 may be a wild coho. Release sockeye. | |
| Bogachiel River – Mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge | July 1 – August 31 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Bait prohibited. Daily limit 4. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release wild Chinook and wild coho. |
| Sept. 1 – Sept. 15 | 12” | 3 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 3. Up to 2 adults may be retained of which one may be a wild Chinook. Release wild coho and sockeye. | |
| Sept. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 3 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 3. Up to 2 adults may be retained of which one may be a wild Chinook. Release sockeye. | |
| Quillayute River – Olympic NP boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers | May 1 – Aug. 31 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 4. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release wild Chinook, wild coho and sockeye. |
| Sept. 1 – Sept. 15 | 12” | 6 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a wild Chinook. Release wild coho and sockeye. Closure days to avoid gear conflict with treaty fisheries are Mondays and Tuesdays from September 4 through October 17 and Wednesday September 27, October 4, and October 11. | |
| Sept. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 6 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a wild Chinook and one may be a wild coho. Release sockeye. Closure days to avoid gear conflict with treaty fisheries are Mondays and Tuesdays from September 4 through October 17 and Wednesday September 27, October 4, and October 11. | |
| Calawah River | July 1 – Aug. 31 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Bait prohibited. Daily limit 4. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release wild Chinook and wild coho. |
| Sept. 1 – Sept. 15 | 12” | 3 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 3. Up to 2 adults may be retained only one of which may be a wild Chinook. Release wild coho and sockeye. | |
| Sept. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 3 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 3. Up to 2 adults may be retained only one of which may be a wild Chinook. Release sockeye. | |
|
Dickey River |
July 1 – Aug. 31 | 12” | 4 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Bait prohibited. Daily limit 4. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release wild Chinook and wild coho. |
| Sept. 1 – Sept. 15 | 12” | 3 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 3. Up to 1 adult may be retained. Release wild coho and sockeye. | |
| Sept. 16 – Dec. 15 | 12” | 3 | Internal combustion motors prohibited. Only 1 single point barbless hook allowed. Daily limit 3. Up to 1 adult may be retained. Release sockeye. |
Season summaries for fishing for salmon and steelhead in coastal fisheries, such as Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay, for the 2023–24 season For information about the 2022-23 season, see the Fishing Rules pamphlet.
- Feb. 1. On March 31, Quillayute (from the park boundary upstream to where Sol Duc and Bogachiel meet) and Sol Duc (from the mouth to the concrete pump station at the hatchery) were both opened. Each day, four salmon were allowed, but only two adults. Release wild Chinook, wild coho, and all sockeye. One single-point barbless hook allowed. Bait prohibited after Feb. 16.
- From April 1 to April 30, you can’t fish in Quillayute, Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah, or Dickey.
- May 1-Aug. 31: Quillayute (from the park boundary upstream to where Sol Duc and Bogachiel meet) and Sol Duc (from the mouth to the concrete pump station at the hatchery) are open; each day there is a limit of 4 salmon, but only 2 adults. Release wild Chinook, wild coho, and all sockeye. One single-point barbless hook allowed. You can use bait, but not on the Sol Duc from July 16 to August 15. 31.
- July 1-Aug. 31: The Bogachiel (mouth to 101 Bridge), Calawah (mouth to 101 Bridge), and Dickey rivers are open. You can catch up to four salmon a day, and you can keep up to two adults. Release wild Chinook, and wild coho. One single point barbless hook allowed. No bait allowed.
- Sept. 1-Dec. 15: Quillayute (from the park boundary to where Sol Duc and Bogachiel meet) and Sol Duc (from the mouth to the pump station at the hatchery) are open. Each person can catch up to six salmon a day, but only one can be a wild Chinook and one can be a wild coho. Release wild coho through Sept 15. Release sockeye. One single point barbless hook allowed. Bait allowed. The Quillayute will be closed from weeks 36 to 42 when treaty fishing is open so that gear doesn’t get in the way of treaty fishing.
- Sept. 1-Dec. 15: The Bogachiel salmon (mouth to 101 Bridge) and Calawah salmon (mouth to 101 Bridge) are now open. Three salmon per day, and up to two adults may be kept. Release wild coho through Sept 15. Release sockeye. One single point barbless hook allowed. Bait allowed.
- Sept. 1-Dec. 15. Dickey (ENP boundary to the point where the East and West Forks meet); salmon open Three salmon per day, and up to one adult may be kept. Release wild coho through Sept 15. Release sockeye. One single point barbless hook allowed. Bait allowed.
- No sport salmon fishery April 1-Sept. 16 due to low forecast of spring/summer Chinook.
- Gamefish seasons scheduled to reopen under permanent rules June 1. Let all the wild steelhead go; you can only use one single-point barbless hook, and you can’t use any bait.
- Hoh River, below Oxbow, open Sept. 16-Nov. 30, Four fish a day, but only two must be adults, and only one must be a Chinook. One single point barbless hook. Bait allowed. Dec. 1 through Dec. 15: Daily limit 1 coho only.
- Hoh River, Oxbow to Morgans Crossing, open Oct 16-Nov. 30, Four fish a day, but only two must be adults, and only one must be a Chinook. One single point barbless hook. Bait allowed. Dec. 1 through Dec. 15: Daily limit 1 coho only. Bait prohibited.
- June 24, 2023, to July 31, 2023: The recreational salmon fishing season runs from June 24, 2023, to July 31, 2023. This is the same time as the ocean rules for salmon (Area 2 rules apply).
- Aug. 1, 2023 – Jan. 31, 2024: You can only keep two adult salmon per day, and all six fish you catch must be released. 2-Pole Endorsement allowed.
- It is OPEN for the 2023–2024 salmon season in Willapa Bay.
- From August 1, the North River Area will be closed. 1 through Sept. 30, 2023.
Willapa River, South Fork Willapa River, North River, Smith Creek, North Nemah River, Naselle River, and Bear River:
- There is a daily limit of six fish in these rivers. Two adult salmon can be kept, but only one must be a wild coho.
- Release wild Chinook
Palix River, Middle Nemah River, and South Nemah River:
- There is a daily limit of six fish in these rivers, and two adult salmon can be kept.
- Release wild Chinook and wild coho
Niawiakum River and Fork Creek will be closed to salmon angling.
Naselle River: From August 1, 2011, salmon fishing will not be allowed in the Naselle River between Highway 4 and 300, which is below the entrance to the hatchery attraction channel. 1 – Oct. 15, 2023. This section will re-open Oct. 16, 2023.
- Aug. 1 – Sept. May 15, 2023: Only one salmon can be kept in the North Bay; wild Chinook and coho must be released.
- Sept. 16 – Nov. 30, 2023: Only the East Bay will be open for these fish. Two salmon can be kept, but Chinook must be released.
Chehalis (Hwy 101 Bridge to South Elma Bridge):
- Aug. 1 – Sept. 15, 2023: You can only keep six fish per day, and all adult salmon must be released. The 2-Pole Endorsement is allowed until the end of December.
Chehalis River (Hwy 101 Bridge to Fuller Bridge):
- Sept. 16 – Nov. 30, 2023: Each day you can only keep six fish; two adult salmon are allowed, but all adult Chinook must be released.
- Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023: Each day you can only keep one adult salmon, but all six Chinook must be released.
Chehalis River (upriver of Fuller Bridge), Hoquiam, Wishkah, Wynoochee, Satsop, Black, Johns, and Elk rivers:
- Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2023: Each day you can only keep six fish; two adult salmon are allowed, but all adult Chinook must be released.
- Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023: Each day you can only keep one adult salmon, but all six Chinook must be released.
Skookumchuck and Newaukum rivers:
- Oct. 16 – Nov. 30, 2023: Each day you can only keep six fish; two adult salmon are allowed, but all adult Chinook must be released.
- Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023: Each day you can only keep one adult salmon, but all six Chinook must be released.
Humptulips River:
- Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2023: Limit of six fish per day; two adult salmon may be kept, but wild Chinook and coho must be released.
- Oct. 1 – Oct. 31, 2023: You can keep a maximum of six fish per day, but you can only keep two adult salmon. One of them must be a Chinook, and the other two must be released.
- Nov. 1 – Dec. 31st, 2023: You can only keep one adult salmon per day, and all Chinook and wild coho must be released.
Proposed summer salmon fisheries
All fisheries are subject to change based on catch rates, run size and other unforeseen circumstances.
From June 16–19, the summer Chinook season on the main stem of the Columbia River will be open from the Astoria–Megler Bridge to Bonneville Dam. From June 16–30, it will be open from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam. Sockeye retention is open beginning June 16.
Salmon Fishing in Washington – Best Spot So Far!
FAQ
What time of year do salmon run in Washington?
Is salmon fishing open in Washington?
What months are salmon in season?
Do pink salmon run every year in Washington state?
When do salmon seasons start in Washington State?
Salmon seasons are confirmed in the spring, but our 2022-23 Washington Fishing Regulation pamphlet is valid from July 1 to June 30 of the following year, and usually isn’t published until sometime in June. Many areas open before that is published, so you can find the early information here at WDFW 2022 Salmon Seasons.
Can you fish for salmon in Washington State?
Luckily, Washington state is home to all five Pacific salmon types, namely: They can be found in many of the state’s fresh and saltwater fishing areas and can reach very decent sizes. When Can You Fish for Salmon in Washington? There are three main periods for salmon fishing in Washington State.
Is Washington a good state for salmon fishing?
Without question, Washington is one of the top US states for salmon fishing. Its numerous fresh and saltwater fishing spots offer excellent fishing opportunities for all five Pacific salmon types, and the fish here are both abundant and capable of reaching incredible sizes.
When does salmon season start?
Season is set for a July 1 to August 15 opener ( Daily limit of 2 Salmon, one can be a 22″ Hatchery Chinook and Hatchery Coho) and then August 16 to September 30 for Hatchery Coho and Pinks. Marine Area 6 – This large area is accessible from Seqium and Port Angeles.