Snohomish System to Close 10/3
- Thread starter JayB
- Start date
JayB
Life of the Party
Saw this figure floating around on social media. Can't confirm the accuracy of the figures for MA-10, but it looks like the total catch in MA10 is over the forecast by 23k (167%) of and still open, and AFAIK there't no talk of closing the Green/Duwamish early. IIRC the Lake Washington fishery was closed on 9/16 due to concerns about low returns, and then re-opened on 9/18 when the numbers rebounded.
Evidently the predicted coho return on the Green/Duwamish was ~125K, of which only ~3K were natural origin, so maybe the disparity is mostly/partly due to the fact that hatchery fish are a significantly larger proportion of the run. Would be interesting to see if the tribes' terminal harvest in the G/D and Lake Washington are also coming in far enough below expectations to cause concern, or if this is an issue unique to the Snohomish system.
Evidently the predicted coho return on the Green/Duwamish was ~125K, of which only ~3K were natural origin, so maybe the disparity is mostly/partly due to the fact that hatchery fish are a significantly larger proportion of the run. Would be interesting to see if the tribes' terminal harvest in the G/D and Lake Washington are also coming in far enough below expectations to cause concern, or if this is an issue unique to the Snohomish system.
JayB
In both the Lake Washington and Green river, the wild coho are considered to be secondary and the hatchery coho primary stocks. That means that as long as the primary hatchery stocks are going to make escapement needs the status of the wild coho will not limit the fishery for the hatchery fish.
In Puget Sound and the straits there are considered to be 18 wild coho stocks of which only 6 are considered to be primary stocks; that is the escapement of the wild coho if the primary concern. Those 6 wild stocks are the Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Hood Canal, East strait tribs. and the west strait tribs. For the rest of the "stocks" the management concern is to maximize the harvest of the hatchery fish. It has been that way for about 50 years.
Curt
In both the Lake Washington and Green river, the wild coho are considered to be secondary and the hatchery coho primary stocks. That means that as long as the primary hatchery stocks are going to make escapement needs the status of the wild coho will not limit the fishery for the hatchery fish.
In Puget Sound and the straits there are considered to be 18 wild coho stocks of which only 6 are considered to be primary stocks; that is the escapement of the wild coho if the primary concern. Those 6 wild stocks are the Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Hood Canal, East strait tribs. and the west strait tribs. For the rest of the "stocks" the management concern is to maximize the harvest of the hatchery fish. It has been that way for about 50 years.
Curt
Fourbtgait
Life of the Party
How much money does the State spend on hatchery fish, facilities, raising, stocking, etc?
I never could come up with a number.
I never could come up with a number.
Very grateful for your knowledge. I don’t think many people have that info readily available. Sad to me that wild green river coho are an afterthought…. Doesn’t this apply to any chinook stocks or coho only?
the_chemist
Life of the Party
Local and relevent tu fundraiser.
Skagittarius
Steelhead
My home base for 24 years. Conservation restrictions notwithstanding - collectively those fish were dreadful biters even in "good" years. It blows my mind that dudes are spending $100K on sleds to fish that watershed. Sucks for them.
Paige
Wishing I was fishing the Sauk
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oct. 22, 2026
Skykomish River to remain closed to salmon fishing
Action: Closes all salmon fishing.
Species affected: Salmon.
Effective dates: Nov. 1–30, 2026.
Location: Skykomish River from the mouth to the railroad bridge at Big Eddy.
Reason for action: Ongoing concerns for Snohomish River system coho necessitate this Skykomish River salmon fishing closure. While recreational coho fisheries in the marine areas around the Snohomish River exceeded pre-season expectations, terminal and freshwater areas of the Snohomish River system have not seen the numbers of coho that fishery managers would expect, considering the pre-season forecast and catches in marine area fisheries.
Sporadic rains continue to move some salmon in the system, but persisting low water conditions are likely affecting the migratory behavior of returning coho. Little has changed regarding conditions in the Snohomish system that led to a fishing closure in the Snohomish River in early October to ease concerns that the 2026 coho return is below pre-season expectation.
Snohomish River (including Skykomish) coho were classified as “overfished” by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2018 and subsequently re-classified as “rebuilt” just two years ago in 2024. Additionally, the 2025 return for coho was below the escapement goal and a second consecutive year of poor escapement could reverse the progress made by recent co-manager rebuilding efforts. Fishery managers will continue to monitor the situation and may reopen salmon fishing if conditions improve.
Additional information: Skykomish River game fish fisheries will open Nov. 1 as scheduled in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Oct. 22, 2026
Skykomish River to remain closed to salmon fishing
Action: Closes all salmon fishing.
Species affected: Salmon.
Effective dates: Nov. 1–30, 2026.
Location: Skykomish River from the mouth to the railroad bridge at Big Eddy.
Reason for action: Ongoing concerns for Snohomish River system coho necessitate this Skykomish River salmon fishing closure. While recreational coho fisheries in the marine areas around the Snohomish River exceeded pre-season expectations, terminal and freshwater areas of the Snohomish River system have not seen the numbers of coho that fishery managers would expect, considering the pre-season forecast and catches in marine area fisheries.
Sporadic rains continue to move some salmon in the system, but persisting low water conditions are likely affecting the migratory behavior of returning coho. Little has changed regarding conditions in the Snohomish system that led to a fishing closure in the Snohomish River in early October to ease concerns that the 2026 coho return is below pre-season expectation.
Snohomish River (including Skykomish) coho were classified as “overfished” by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2018 and subsequently re-classified as “rebuilt” just two years ago in 2024. Additionally, the 2025 return for coho was below the escapement goal and a second consecutive year of poor escapement could reverse the progress made by recent co-manager rebuilding efforts. Fishery managers will continue to monitor the situation and may reopen salmon fishing if conditions improve.
Additional information: Skykomish River game fish fisheries will open Nov. 1 as scheduled in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
the_chemist
Life of the Party
Will be interesting if game fish opens on the sky & snoho in novemeber. Unclear with the current announcement.
There was also no November salmon fishery on the sky planned so not sure what this announcement actually changes if sportfishing opens.