The Skagit River is home to a thriving run of Spring Chinook salmon each year, prized for their delicious flavor. With 80% of the freshwater dumped into the Puget Sound originating from the Skagit, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of opportunities for anglers to land some fish. Anglers can utilize bank fishing areas or explore further upriver where the water flow is les.
Each week, the below graph will be updated with the Skagit river spring Chinook escapement numbers as reported by the hatchery. Escapement numbers are a good indication of when the “run is in” and when it may be time to head down to the river, when one can expect plenty of Skagit river spring chinook to be present.
Below are the most recent posts about the Skagit River on the blog:
- Skagit River to open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon
- Pink Salmon Run 2023
- Puget Sound Salmon Forecasts 2023
- Skagit River Spring Chinook Fishing 2023
- Fishing on the Cascade River for coho salmon open seven days per week
Updated Status of returning Spring Chinook on the Skagit River
Historical Run Timing of Spring Chinook on the Skagit River
Fishing Regulations for Skagit River Spring Chinook 2023
Here are the “proposed seasons” for 2023 for the Skagit River, more details and regulations will be included in the 2023-24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, which outlines the regulations from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 and will be available in early summer 2023:
| Season | Min. size | Daily limit | Additional rules | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Skagit River – Mouth to Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) |
Aug. 14 – Aug. 31 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Pink salmon only. Night closure. |
|
Sept. 1 – Oct. 31 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2 Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Skagit River – Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) to mouth of Gilligan Creek |
May 1 – May 31 Propose to open 1 week earlier – in run year 2024. |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2 hatchery Chinook. Release all other species. Night closure. Two-Pole. |
|
June 16 – July 15 |
12” |
3 |
Daily limit 3 sockeye only. Night closure. Harvest split between Baker Lake and River 80/20. | |
|
Aug. 14 – Aug. 31 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Pink salmon only. Night closure. | |
|
Sept. 1 – Oct. 31 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Release Chinook wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Skagit River – Mouth of Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete |
June 16 – July 15 |
12” |
3 |
Daily limit 3 sockeye only. Night closure. Harvest split between Baker Lake and River 80/20. |
|
Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Barbless single point hooks only, no bait. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Oct. 1 – Oct. 31 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Skagit River – Dalles Bridge at Concrete to Highway 530 bridge at Rockport |
Sept. 16 – Sept. 30 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Barbless single point hooks only, no bait. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. |
|
Oct. 1 – Oct 31. |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Skagit River – Highway 530 bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd
|
June 1 – July 15
|
12”
|
4
|
Daily limit 4. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Night closure.
|
|
Sept. 16 – Sept. 30 |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Barbless single point hooks only, no bait. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Oct. 1 – Oct 31. |
12” |
2 |
Daily limit 2. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum. Night closure. | |
|
Baker Lake |
July 15 – Aug. 31
|
18” |
3 |
Daily limit 3 sockeye. Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon angling gear until the daily limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. |
|
Cascade River – mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. bridge
|
June 1 – July 15
|
12” |
4 |
Daily limit 4 Chinook. 2 adults. Release wild Chinook. Night closure and anti-snagging. |
|
Sept. 16 – Sept. 30 |
12” |
4 |
Daily limit 4 coho. Release all salmon other than coho. Anti-snagging rule, barbless, no bait. Night closure. | |
|
Oct. 1 – Oct. 30 |
12” |
4 |
Daily limit 4 coho. Release all salmon other than coho. Anti-snagging rule. Night closure |
The permanent regulations will be released sometime in June, if you are interested in seasons taking place prior to June, they will be announced via emergency regulations
Emergency Fishing Regulations for Skagit River Spring Chinook 2023
The above permanent regulations for the Skagit River are subject to change at any time and without being updated on this blog. One must consult the WDFW Emergency Regulations before any trips to ensure they are in full compliance with state laws regulating fisheries.
Forecast for 2023 Skagit River Spring Chinook
