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Olympic National Park Fishing Regs Altered In Bid To Protect Steelhead

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By Compiled From N... - December 2nd, 2021
Recreational fishing closures at being put in place in Olympic National Park to protect steelhead trout populations/NPS file

Recreational fishing closures are being put in place in Olympic National Park to protect steelhead trout populations/NPS file

Projected declines in wild steelhead populations in several rivers in Olympic National Park in Washington state have prompted recreational fishing closures on the rivers.

The closures, some in place now, some to take effect in January, are being implemented on the Queets, Salmon, and Quinault river systems in the park.

Park staff say the closures are needed in part because of the low return of Queets River wild steelhead. The 2021-22 forecast for Queets wild steelhead is expected to be well below the minimum goal of 4,200 wild fish leaving the fishery to spawn. Queets wild steelhead have failed to meet that escapement goal in each of the last five years. As a result, recreational fishing on the Queets River is now closed.

The Salmon River will be open to recreational fishing for the month of December, and two hatchery steelhead may be retained. The river will then close to recreational fishing on January 1.

The 2021-22 forecast is for 1,756 wild steelhead in the Quinault River system, a number that would be among the lowest return on record, according to the park. As a result, recreational fishing on the river from the upper bridge in the park downstream to the park boundary is now closed.

These regulation changes are being implemented in cooperation with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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