Skagit & Cascade Rivers Open For Coho & Gamefish

Skagit and Cascade rivers open to coho and gamefish; Sauk River opens for gamefish

Action: Open the Skagit and Cascade rivers to fishing for coho salmon and gamefish. Open the Sauk River to fishing for gamefish.

Species affected: Coho salmon and gamefish.

Effective dates:  Sept. 28 through Nov. 30, 2016.

Locations for salmon:

• SKAGIT RIVER: From the mouth to the Cascade River Road (Marblemount) Bridge. Coho daily limit 4, of which no more than 2 may be wild. Bait prohibited.  Anti-snagging rule, and night closure in effect.
• CASCADE RIVER: From the mouth to Rockport Cascade Road Bridge. Coho daily limit 4. Anti-snagging rule, and night closure in effect.

Locations for gamefish:

• SKAGIT RIVER: From the mouth to the Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport. Trout, minimum size 14,” daily limit 2. Dolly Varden/Bull trout, minimum size 20.” Other gamefish, statewide rules apply.
• SKAGIT RIVER: From the Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Gorge Powerhouse. Catch-and-release, except daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.
• CASCADE RIVER: From the mouth to Rockport Cascade Road Bridge. Trout, minimum size 14,” daily limit 2. Dolly Varden/Bull trout,  minimum size 20.” Other gamefish, statewide rules apply.
• SAUK RIVER: From mouth to White Chuck River. Catch-and-release, except daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.
• These areas are scheduled to open to fishing for gamefish Dec. 1. Anglers should check the 2016/17 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for regulations effective Dec. 1.

Reasons for action: The Skagit, Cascade and Sauk rivers were originally closed to all fishing under a state and tribal co-manager agreement to protect coho salmon. An in-season co-manager joint test fishery indicated that the coho return is stronger than expected, allowing the co-managers to open fisheries for coho and gamefish.

Other information: Sport anglers should be aware that tribal fisheries also are underway and should avoid interfering with those fisheries.

Information Contact: Mill Creek Regional Office, 425 775-1311.