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Washington Shuts Down Nooksack Steelhead Season as Returns Collapse
Winter fishing opportunities on Washington’s Nooksack River are tightening after state officials ordered new closures tied to poor steelhead returns. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed steelhead fishing on all forks of the river for the month of December, followed by a full closure for all species throughout January.
The action covers several major stretches of the Nooksack system, including the mainstem from the Slater Road yellow marker to the confluence of the North and South Forks. The Middle Fork is included from its mouth to the former Bellingham diversion dam, while the North Fork is closed from the South Fork junction to Maple Creek. The South Fork will shut down from its mouth to Skookum Creek.
WDFW says the decision comes after another year of hatchery steelhead numbers falling far short of expectations. Managers forecast a return of only 41 fish for the 2025 to 2026 cycle, well below the 160 needed to meet broodstock goals. The 2024 return also came in under forecast.
Low hatchery returns have prompted Washington officials to close portions of the Nooksack River through January
“These in season conservation measures are needed to ensure future sport and treaty hatchery steelhead fishing opportunities,” the agency said in its notice.
While steelhead fishing ends for the year, anglers will still be able to target coho on the north fork, south fork and mainstem through December under the 2025 to 2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules. If broodstock goals are eventually met, WDFW says it may evaluate whether a sport fishery could reopen.
The department is encouraging anglers to monitor emergency rule changes and sign up for email notifications. The Fish Washington app also provides real time regulation updates and access to the state rule pamphlet.
The latest shutdown has stirred frustration among some Washington anglers who feel the annual decline in steelhead access has become predictable. Many say they understand conservation concerns but believe their voices are not being heard when seasons are set.
For many, the latest Nooksack closure is another sign that angler concerns are not being heard in Olympia
Mike Farrell of Oak Harbor has fished the region for years and says anglers are losing patience.
“It’s the same ole crap every year. I have always said that the only way to have our voices heard in Olympia is to not buy any licenses for one year,” Farrell said. “The revenue lost will make a statement for sure. We must band together as one voice because we are totally outnumbered in Olympia when they all sit down to put together the fishing seasons. The one thing that has the most leverage is money.”
Some anglers online echoed similar sentiments, saying closures have become routine and over-management is to blame for the closure.
For now, WDFW maintains that rebuilding hatchery returns is essential for protecting future opportunity on a river system that has already seen dramatic decline.
The post Washington Shuts Down Nooksack Steelhead Season as Returns Collapse appeared first on OutdoorHub.
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Washington Shuts Down Nooksack Steelhead Season as Returns Collapse
Winter fishing opportunities on Washington’s Nooksack River are tightening after state officials ordered new closures tied to poor steelhead returns. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed steelhead fishing on all forks of the river for the month of December, followed by a full closure for all species throughout January.
The action covers several major stretches of the Nooksack system, including the mainstem from the Slater Road yellow marker to the confluence of the North and South Forks. The Middle Fork is included from its mouth to the former Bellingham diversion dam, while the North Fork is closed from the South Fork junction to Maple Creek. The South Fork will shut down from its mouth to Skookum Creek.
WDFW says the decision comes after another year of hatchery steelhead numbers falling far short of expectations. Managers forecast a return of only 41 fish for the 2025 to 2026 cycle, well below the 160 needed to meet broodstock goals. The 2024 return also came in under forecast.
Low hatchery returns have prompted Washington officials to close portions of the Nooksack River through January
“These in season conservation measures are needed to ensure future sport and treaty hatchery steelhead fishing opportunities,” the agency said in its notice.
While steelhead fishing ends for the year, anglers will still be able to target coho on the north fork, south fork and mainstem through December under the 2025 to 2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules. If broodstock goals are eventually met, WDFW says it may evaluate whether a sport fishery could reopen.
The department is encouraging anglers to monitor emergency rule changes and sign up for email notifications. The Fish Washington app also provides real time regulation updates and access to the state rule pamphlet.
The latest shutdown has stirred frustration among some Washington anglers who feel the annual decline in steelhead access has become predictable. Many say they understand conservation concerns but believe their voices are not being heard when seasons are set.
For many, the latest Nooksack closure is another sign that angler concerns are not being heard in Olympia
Mike Farrell of Oak Harbor has fished the region for years and says anglers are losing patience.
“It’s the same ole crap every year. I have always said that the only way to have our voices heard in Olympia is to not buy any licenses for one year,” Farrell said. “The revenue lost will make a statement for sure. We must band together as one voice because we are totally outnumbered in Olympia when they all sit down to put together the fishing seasons. The one thing that has the most leverage is money.”
Some anglers online echoed similar sentiments, saying closures have become routine and over-management is to blame for the closure.
For now, WDFW maintains that rebuilding hatchery returns is essential for protecting future opportunity on a river system that has already seen dramatic decline.
The post Washington Shuts Down Nooksack Steelhead Season as Returns Collapse appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...