OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed Chinook Salmon fishing and reduced the adult portion of salmon daily limit to one (1) fish, beginning November 4, 2023, and running through December 31, 2023. Early season indicators suggest the number of coho returning to Grays Harbor and other coastal tributaries is lower than the pre-season forecast. These measures are necessary to ensure natural escapement and hatchery broodstock goals are met.
Locations and rules:
Black River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the bridge on 128th Avenue Southwest:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Chehalis River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth upstream to the high bridge on Weyerhaeuser 1000 line:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Clearwater River (Jefferson County) from the mouth to Snahapish River:
- Nov. 4 through Nov. 30, 2023: Daily limit is three (3) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
- Effective Dec. 1, 2023: Closed.
Copalis River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the Carlisle Bridge:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Elk River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth at the Highway 105 Bridge to the confluence of the middle branch:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Hoquiam River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth at Highway 101 Bridge on Simpson Avenue to the west fork at Dekay Road Bridge:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Joe Creek (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the Ocean Beach Road Bridge:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Johns River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth at Highway 105 Bridge to Ballon Creek:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Moclips River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the Quinault Indian Reservation boundary:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Newaukum River, including South Fork (Lewis County) from the mouth to Leonard Road near Onalaska:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Queets River (Grays Harbor and Jefferson counties):
- Contact Olympic National Park for regulations at 360-565-3000 or Caution: EmailHosting.cloud has detected a possible phishing attempt from “lnks.gd” claiming to be https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.
Salmon River (Jefferson County) from outside the Quinault Indian Reservation and Olympic National Park:
- Nov. 4 through Nov. 30, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
- Effective Dec. 1, 2023: Closed.
Satsop River and east fork (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the bridge at Schafer State Park and from 400 feet below Bingham Creek Hatchery Dam to the dam:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Skookumchuck River (Lewis and Thurston counties) from the mouth to 100 feet below the outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Van Winkle Creek (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to 400 feet below the outlet of Lake Aberdeen Hatchery:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Wishkah River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to 200 feet below the weir at the Wishkah Rearing Ponds and from 150 feet upstream to 150 feet downstream of the Wishkah adult attraction channel/outfall structure (within the posted fishing boundary):
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the WDFW White Bridge access site:
- Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2023: Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release Chinook.
Anglers are reminded that fishing from 400 feet below Bingham Creek Hatchery dam to the dam and from 150 feet upstream to 150 feet downstream of the Wishkah adult attraction channel/outfall structure (within the posted fishing boundary) is open only to anglers with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair and have a designated harvester companion card.
Please see the 2023/24 Washington State Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current season information and be sure to check for any emergency rule changes prior to fishing. Consider downloading the Fish Washington mobile app or signing up for fishery changes at email notification through WDFW Regulation Updates.
Information contact: Region 6 Montesano office, 360-249-4628.