While it’s been a challenging year for Washington steelhead and steelheaders, anglers are adjusting to fishing restrictions in support of conservation objectives and opportunities remain to wet a line for the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic gamefish.

 

In the North Puget Sound Region “terminal areas” near steelhead hatcheries on the North Fork Nooksack, North Fork Stillaguamish, Skykomish, Wallace and Snoqualmie rivers are open through Feb. 15. This hatchery winter steelhead was caught with a bobber and jig on the Skykomish.

 

Steelhead fishing will continue into March on several rivers across the northern Olympic Peninsula including the Hoh, Quillayute, Bogachiel, Calawah, Sol Duc and Hoko. Fishing also remains open on the Cowlitz and other rivers flowing into the lower Columbia River and Willapa Bay. Be sure to check the Sport Fishing Rules and our steelhead fishery management webpage for details: wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/steelhead