Low forecasted returns, anticipated commercial harvest outside the park, and declining trends in total run size with chronically low escapements of wild steelhead have prompted temporary fishing closures, Olympic National Park / NPS - Michael Reichmuth

To protect declining populations of wild steelhead, Olympic National Park is closing the Queets, Salmon and Quinault Rivers to sport fishing on November 27, 2023. These conservation closures are necessary to eliminate any sport impacts to wild steelhead making their way to spawning areas inside and outside the park. Olympic Peninsula steelhead were recently petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  

The sport fishing closures are due to low forecasted returns, anticipated commercial harvest outside of the park, and declining trends in total run size with chronically low escapements of wild steelhead. The park and State escapement goals are 4,200 and 1,600 wild steelhead in the Queets System and Upper Quinault, respectively.   

“Given the low numbers, we are compelled to use the one remaining tool to minimize impacts on wild steelhead – pausing sport fishing inside the park. We understand that these closures affect sport anglers and fishing guides, and we appreciate their cooperation in helping to protect these precious wild resources.” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sula Jacobs.   

Olympic National Park has significant conservation concerns for wild steelhead in these rivers based on long-term declines in annual run sizes and escapements dating back to 1980.

Graph displaying a declining trend in total run size of wild steelhead in the Queets River system, Olympic National Park / NPS

Graph displaying a declining trend in total run size of wild steelhead in the Quinault River system, Olympic National Park / NPS

Notably, record low returns of wild steelhead were recorded in the Queets and Quinault systems in the last few years. Of additional concern is the failure of wild steelhead to reach the state and National Park Service escapement goals in eight of the last 10 years in the Queets and six of the last 10 years in Upper Quinault.   

Olympic National Park is implementing the following in-season changes:   

• Queets River: Closed to recreational fishing beginning November 27, 2023 
• Salmon River: Closed to recreational fishing beginning November 27, 2023 
• Quinault River (upper bridge downstream to park boundary): Closed to recreational fishing beginning November 27, 2023 

The sport fishing regulations in Olympic National Park are implemented in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Queets, Quinault, and Salmon Rivers within Olympic National Park are expected to reopen to recreational angling on June 1, 2024. For current fishing regulations and information, please visit the park website:  https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm