The Salmon Fishing Current blog: North of Falcon 2025 edition

Summer salmon anglers fishing off the southside of Whidbey Island at Possession Bar in northern Puget Sound. (Photo by WDFW)The Salmon Fishing Current blog: North of Falcon 2025 edition
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Feb 11, 2025
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Washington salmon season setting is complex fishery management, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers work to inform the public during the annual process.
For the second year, WDFW has created The Salmon Fishing Current blog. This blog is a way to provide regular updates of the ongoing developments during the upcoming 2025–26 salmon season setting process, known as North of Falcon. The name refers to waters north of Oregon’s Cape Falcon, which is the farthest south that Washington manages salmon stocks. This area includes freshwater and coastal areas of the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Columbia River.
Additionally, the blog keeps anglers informed of any in-season fishing rule changes, emergency closures or other related developments in Puget Sound, the coast, and Columbia River.
WDFW will host more than a dozen in-person and hybrid North of Falcon meetings in spring 2025 to develop the annual salmon fishing seasons. A full timeline of the process, including a public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback is available on WDFW’s North of Falcon webpage.
WDFW listens closely to the input of anglers statewide and attempts to find solutions that best serve the wide array of interested participants. WDFW also strives to meet conservation goals to aid the recovery of salmon and steelhead, including constraints under the federal Endangered Species Act.
WDFW works together with tribal co-managers to equitably divide the share of harvestable salmon, both during North of Falcon and ongoing management throughout the year.
Visit our new North of Falcon overview page for helpful information about meetings, a glossary of key terms, and suggested resources.
Find the latest salmon updatesApril 21 — 2025 North of Falcon reflections by Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program Director
April 15 — Tentative statewide 2025–2026 salmon fishing seasons adopted during Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and North of Falcon (NOF) meetings
April 14 — PFMC adopts the preliminary 2025 ocean recreational salmon fishing regulations
April 13 — WDFW fishery managers reviewing ocean, inner-marine and freshwater recreational salmon fisheries at PFMC meetings in San Jose, California
April 8 — WDFW hosted four North of Falcon salmon-season setting discussions this past week
April 1 — What to know ahead of North of Falcon: Lower Columbia River
March 25 — WDFW hosts follow-up North of Falcon salmon-season setting meeting
March 19 — WDFW hosts North of Falcon salmon-season setting meeting
March 11 — Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting: WDFW sets quota alternatives for Washington’s ocean salmon fisheries, seeks public input at March 19 NOF meeting in Olympia
March 9 — Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting: WDFW presents adjustments to ocean quota alternatives
March 7 — Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting: WDFW proposes initial ocean quota alternatives
Feb. 28 — WDFW releases statewide 2025–26 salmon forecasts and predict a good Puget Sound pink return of nearly 7.8-million fish this summer
Feb. 19 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons announced
Feb. 13 — Winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14
Feb. 11 — WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting process
Feb. 11 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons to be announced soon
April 21— 2025 North of Falcon reflections by Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program DirectorThe 2025–2026 North of Falcon salmon season setting process concluded last week with a series of public meetings in San Jose, California. We worked closely with tribal, state, and federal fishery managers to finalize a tentative fishery plan for sustainable marine and freshwater areas in Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Columbia River.
This fishery plan is the culmination of months of public meetings where WDFW fishery managers considered annual forecasts for natural origin and hatchery run sizes for all salmon and steelhead species statewide. We strive to be thoughtful and thorough in our work making decisions using science to protect and rebuild salmon and steelhead stocks, while providing meaningful fishing opportunities. WDFW prioritizes conservation goals to aid the recovery of salmon and steelhead, including constraints under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Thank you for getting involvedIf you’ve attended a North of Falcon meeting or submitted public input on salmon fisheries, you were an important part of the process to develop the annual fishery plan. We heard feedback from a diverse group of Washington anglers, and we aim to create fishing seasons that best serve the wide array of interested participants and balance those opportunities with conservation outcomes. When the public participates in North of Falcon meetings, we can better understand what anglers want from Washington marine and freshwater fisheries.
Public input helps us make difficult decisionsWe know not every decision we make for salmon and steelhead fisheries will please everyone. We had to make some difficult decisions this year around Puget Sound Chinook, including the Skagit summer and fall, Nooksack spring, Stillaguamish, Skokomish, and mid-Puget Sound stocks based on continued low abundance. We worked closely with our advisory groups and tribal co-managers before making these decisions. You can find the details for these tentative plans in our April 15 blog post.
Staying in the loopIn 2024, we launched the Salmon Fishing Current blog to keep you up to date on developments throughout North of Falcon, and in 2025 we used the blog to share updates on key points throughout the process. This year we made major updates to our North of Falcon web content to make it easier to find upcoming meetings, submit public input, and learn more about how we set salmon and steelhead seasons each year. We shared meeting materials and recordings on our new public meeting event pages and made it easier to find our recent blog posts. We hosted numerous in-person, hybrid, and virtual meetings statewide. I hope these changes made it easy to get involved. We’re open to your ideas about how we can continue to build our communication and stay transparent in the future.
Next steps in the processFollowing the April meeting, we will publish the tentative List of Agree Fisheries (LOAF) and draft Washington Administrative Code (WAC) language that reflects the seasons developed during the North of Falcon process. Once the draft rules are published, we will accept comments on the draft and hold a public hearing. We consider changes to draft rules based on public comment (or errors discovered in the draft rules), then we adopt final rules for salmon fisheries for the year.
These rules are submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries within the US Department of Commerce. NOAA implements the actions through its regulatory channels under the ESA and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Our proposed fisheries are not finalized for the upcoming year until NOAA approves them.
Thanks to WDFW staff and public participantsIf you were involved in North of Falcon meetings this year, you likely heard me ask for patience as our staff worked through a condensed timeframe, with many folks in new positions. We truly appreciate your patience throughout the process and acknowledge how critical your feedback, participation, and support are throughout North of Falcon.
I’d like to thank all our staff, especially those in new roles this year, and acknowledge the hard work, late nights, and long hours they put in to develop these fisheries. This is a collaborative effort, and I’m proud of what our team was able to accomplish.
We’ll continue to share information for salmon and steelhead fisheries in this blog, our news releases, and social media. We’ll share upcoming meetings and important updates to our North of Falcon webpage. In the meantime, I encourage you to stay involved by sharing your input on our tentative fishery plan.
About WDFWThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating the state’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
Summer salmon fisheries will be fairly similar to the 2024 season and a strong Puget Sound pink salmon forecast will add to the fun for both shore and boat anglers in late summer. (Photo by Mark Yuasa)April 15 — Tentative statewide 2025–2026 salmon fishing seasons adopted during Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and North of Falcon (NOF) meetingsThe PFMC salmon-season setting meeting ended Tuesday, April 15 in San Jose, California, which was part of the annual NOF process that involves a series of public and state/tribal government-to-government meetings to come to an agreement for the upcoming year’s salmon fishing season.
The 2025–2026 tentative statewide salmon fishing seasons have been adopted by the Council. The season recommendations now move forward for approval by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Final rule making, including additional opportunity for public comment and consideration of those comments will be taken. A link to provide public comment will be posted soon by going to the WDFW public meeting webpage. Salmon fishing regulations should be adopted by mid-June.
“It’s important that we ensure all salmon fisheries are consistent with ongoing efforts to protect and rebuild salmon stocks, especially those listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),” said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. “During this season-setting process, we’ve worked closely with our tribal co-managers, our sport fishing advisers and the public to ensure there will be a meaningful number of sustainable salmon fisheries.”
Puget Sound salmon fisheries“Each year we work extremely hard to plan marine and freshwater fishing opportunity for anglers around the state,” said Kyle Adicks, Intergovernmental Salmon Manager with WDFW. “While pre-season forecasts for Puget Sound Chinook this year are similar to last year, continued low abundance of many stocks combined with differences in ages of fish returning to Puget Sound in 2025 made fishery planning especially difficult this spring.”
Those low returns of key Puget Sound Chinook salmon stocks include the Skagit summer and fall; Nooksack spring; Stillaguamish; Skokomish; and mid-Puget Sound stocks.
WDFW fishery managers aligned several Puget Sound marine area summer hatchery Chinook fisheries to begin on the same date to spread out fishing pressure. In Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands), Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet), and Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area), the hatchery Chinook fishery will tentatively open Thursdays to Saturdays only beginning July 17 to 19. The Marine Area 10 start date could change and is dependent on further WDFW fishery manager review. Each marine area will have additional openings if remaining Chinook catch quota is available.
Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is planned to be open Wednesdays to Saturdays only from June 5 to 30, then Thursdays to Saturdays openers beginning July 17 to 19, and open daily if quota allows from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. The early June fishery could be open seven days per week but is dependent on further WDFW fishery manager review. An additional three-day opener on July 24 to 26 is dependent on in-season estimates.
In Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) and Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca west of a true north/south line through the #2 Buoy immediately east of Ediz Hook) opens daily beginning July 1 for hatchery summer Chinook with specific catch quotas.
An inner-Elliott Bay Chinook fishery is planned to open Aug. 1 to 4 and is contingent on inseason updates. The Bellingham Bay terminal area salmon fishery is planned to open Aug. 16 to Sept. 30.
In marine area summer fisheries, WDFW will analyze the weekly fishery data collected via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season. All Puget Sound seasonal salmon fishery guidelines and quotas will be available soon on the WDFW website.
For coho, the Puget Sound hatchery and wild forecasts have generally seen improvements in recent years to provide additional opportunities. In Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) and Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait), coho fishing is open July 1 to Sept. 26. Non-selective opportunities begin in Marine Area 5 from Sept. 27 to Oct. 9 and Marine Area 6 from Sept. 27 to Oct. 15.
Fishing in Marine Area 8–1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay) is open for non-selective coho from Aug. 16 to Oct. 13. The Marine Area 8–2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) coho fishery dates will be determined soon after further WDFW fishery manager review.
In Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands), hatchery coho is open during the July Chinook fishery and starting seven days a week in August. Non-selective coho opportunity for Marine Area 7 runs from Sept. 7 to 30.
The Skykomish River from the mouth to the Wallace River will be open for hatchery summer steelhead and hatchery Chinook from June 10 to July 10 with a daily limit of two adult fish, night closure, and anti-snagging rule in effect. Continuation of the fishery is dependent on inseason updates. This section of the river was closed in 2024 and had a brief three-day opening in 2023.
Puget Sound winter/spring Chinook salmon fisheries have been modeled to open in March or April of 2026 for Marine Area 10 and Marine Area 11. Various catch estimates will base the length of the season for each marine area. WDFW fishery managers will be in discussion with sport fishing advisers and the public to decide exact start dates for the two marine areas.
Marine Area 5 will be closed during the 2026 winter/spring Chinook season. The closure of the area was a difficult decision made by WDFW fishery managers but was necessary due to conservation concerns for Nooksack spring Chinook. The possibility of reopening the area for future fishing seasons will be prioritized during the 2026 NOF process.
Strong Puget Sound pink salmon run expectedThe 2025 Puget Sound pink salmon forecast is 7.76 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — and predicted to be the third largest total return on record (up from a 2023 forecast of 3.95 million and an actual return of 7.22 million). The Green and Nisqually rivers are expected to have strong pink returns. In southern British Columbia, the Fraser River pink forecast is 27 million.
A breakdown of the 2025 Puget Sound pink forecasts: Green River, 1,835,366; Hood Canal, 2,414,207; Nisqually, 1,503,704; Nooksack River, 97,370; Skagit River, 468,073; Stillaguamish River, 117,322; Snohomish River, 315,942; Puyallup River, 709,292; Strait of Juan de Fuca, 294,503; and South Puget Sound areas, 503.
With the expected strong return of pinks, WDFW added two additional pinks to the daily limit for all inner-marine areas except Marine Area 8–2 (Ports Susan and Gardner) through Sept. 30.
While relatively small (three to five pounds), pinks are the fastest growing of the five Pacific salmon species and mainly return in bulk during odd-numbered years after spending two years in the ocean before migrating to natal rivers.
It is critical for anglers — especially when fishing in marine areas — to understand the differences between a pink and Chinook.
A pink in the marine phase of life can be distinguished by very large black spots on the caudal fin and back. Other key differences from other salmon species are the mouth is white with a black gum line; there are almost no teeth in the marine phase; and they have large oval spots on both lobes of tail pointed lower jaw and very small scales.
In the spawning phase, the pink — nicknamed “humpies” or “humpy” comes from the dramatic hump formed on their back — has a distinct hooked upper jawline that develops on male pinks at spawning time in rivers. Pinks also have large oblong spots on the back and both lobes of the tail.
The Puget Sound pink run usually peaks in mid-August, and in southern Puget Sound the last week of August and early September are best. Pinks draw a buzz among salmon anglers because they’re relatively easy to catch from shore and boat. Pinks tend to stay close to the shoreline to avoid strong currents, so bank anglers can find them just a short cast away. Pink fishing in Puget Sound was accessible in 2023 and 2021 during late summer.
Baker Lake sockeye fisheryAfter discussion with sockeye anglers, fishing guides, co-manager tribes, the U.S. Forest Service, and other local partners, WDFW plans to open Baker Lake for sockeye on Saturday, July 12 to respect local land managers, address enforcement staffing concerns around the Fourth of July weekend, and provide equitable opportunities to access this popular fishery.
The proposed season would run July 12 to Aug. 31, with the opening occurring regardless of how many fish are in the lake. The daily limit is six sockeye in Baker Lake. Each angler aboard the vessel may deploy salmon angling gear until the daily limit for all anglers has been achieved.
Sockeye anglers and other boaters should also expect mandatory aquatic invasive species (AIS) checks on watercraft entering Baker Lake to help prevent the introduction of New Zealand mud snails — which have been detected in the lower Skagit River — as well as quagga and zebra mussels which can damage boats, hydropower, and hatchery infrastructure, and potentially cost the state and power producers millions of dollars. Please be respectful and cooperate during inspections to help get everyone on the lake as quickly as possible.
A sockeye forecast of 60,214 is expected to return to the Skagit River in 2025 and will be headed for the Baker River and Baker Lake. This forecast is up 57% from the 10-year average and is higher than the 2024 actual return of 47,824 and a forecast of 56,750 sockeye.
Baker River sockeye are a priority for WDFW and tribal co-managers and recent returns are a success story following returns of fewer than 100 fish in 1985. Fish counts, management information, and more details are available on this WDFW webpage. More information is available in this joint blog post by WDFW and tribal co-managers.
Ocean salmon fisheriesThe ocean salmon season includes a recreational Chinook quota of 53,750 (41,000 in 2024) and a hatchery-marked coho quota of 99,720 (79,800 in 2024) for Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco), Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), Marine Area 3 (La Push), and Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay).
· Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): Open seven days per week from June 25 through Sept. 30, all salmon, with a subarea guideline of 16,600 Chinook (12,510 in 2024) and subarea quota of quota of49,860 marked coho (39,900 in 2024). The daily limit is two salmon, and one Chinook only. Columbia Control Zone closed.
· Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores): Open seven days per week from June 21 through June 28, with a subarea guideline of 22,270 Chinook (17,430 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning June 29 through Sept. 15, all salmon, with a subarea quota of 36,900 marked coho (29,530 in 2024). Beginning June 29, the daily limit is two salmon, and only one may be a Chinook.
· Marine Area 3 (La Push): Open seven days per week from June 21 through July 3, with a subarea guideline of 2,280 Chinook (1,630 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning July 4 through Sept. 15, all salmon, with 2,590 marked coho subarea quota (2,070 in 2024). Beginning July 4, the daily limit is two salmon. No chum retention beginning Aug. 1.
· Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay): Open seven days per week from June 21 through July 3, with a subarea guideline of 12,600 Chinook (9,430 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning July 4 through Sept. 15, all salmon, with a subarea quota of 10,370 marked coho (8,300 in 2024). Beginning July 4, the daily limit is two salmon. No chum retention beginning Aug. 1. Beginning Aug. 1, Chinook non-retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line during the managed ocean fishery.
Species and size restrictions are dependent on the marine area. WDFW fishery managers will monitor the number of salmon caught inseason and may close areas earlier if quotas or guidelines are met. Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho total allowable catch. To view additional ocean salmon season information, refer to the PFMC briefing book webpage.
Coastal freshwater conditions to be monitoredCoastal river fisheries will be similar to 2024, and like previous years, WDFW fishery managers will monitor the low mountain snowpack, which brings the potential for drought conditions; high water temperatures; extended hot weather this summer; and low water level issues in rivers.
These conditions could impact freshwater recreational fisheries and salmon migration in late summer and early fall timeframe, especially in rivers flowing off the Olympic Peninsula. As climate change impacts Washington’s watersheds and ecosystems, WDFW will monitor impacts and may need to adopt inseason management changes to address these conditions.
Understanding the coastal river landscapes that support aquatic species is vital for management and conservation strategies and gauging river temperatures provide more awareness of climatic tolerances of fish species like the Pacific salmon. Since 2014, WDFW has collaborated with coastal tribal co-managers and salmon recovery practitioners, as well as other local, state, and federal organizations on an extensive study of stream temperatures in watersheds of the Washington coast. For details about this ongoing project, refer to this WDFW’s blog.
Columbia River salmon fisheriesFall fisheries from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco are planned for an Aug. 1 opener, with different dates by area for Chinook and coho. This includes steelhead restrictions throughout the river. The coho run size is expected to provide similar fishing opportunities. The Chinook run size is slightly improved upon last year’s return and expected to provide good fishing opportunities.
The 2025 Columbia River sockeye forecast of 350,200 is about half of last year’s record return, however this year’s forecast is slightly higher than the 10-year recent average return and predicted to be a good return. The Okanogan River forecast is 248,000 (288,700 was forecast and the actual return of 572,552 in 2024).
The Columbia River sockeye fisheries on the mainstem at and above Hanford Reach and above Priest Rapids Dam will open with different dates this summer that are similar to past years with a four sockeye daily limit.
The 2025 Lake Wenatchee sockeye forecast is 94,000 in 2025 and is well above the spawning escapement objective of 23,000 at Tumwater Dam. If the spawning objective is met there is a possibility for another late-summer sport fishery in the lake. The 2024 record breaking sockeye return was 190,117 (97,000 was the forecast in 2024).
Summer Chinook salmon fisheries on the Columbia River are planned to be closed although some inseason changes could be made in upper sections. In waters downstream of Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco, sockeye will be allowed for retention from June 22 to July 6 with a daily limit of one sockeye and one hatchery-marked steelhead.
You can learn more about Columbia River fisheries management by going to The Salmon Fishing Current blog.
Other meeting developments· The Tulalip Bubble Fishery is open for Chinook fishing from May 23 to Sept. 1 and allowed from 12:01 a.m. Fridays through Mondays of each week. Fishing will be closed June 21 for the Tulalip Tribal fishing ceremony. Fishing is also open Sept. 6 to 21 and allowed Saturdays and Sundays of each.
· Sinclair Inlet is planned to be open from mid-July — check for specific start date in the WDFW regulation pamphlet — through Sept. 30 (two-pole endorsement is allowed) with a three-salmon daily limit, release chum and wild Chinook.
· The Cascade River and the Skagit River from the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport to the Cascade River Road is open Wednesdays to Saturdays only from May 28 to July 15 for hatchery-marked spring Chinook.
· The proposed 2025–2026 List of Agreed Fisheries in Puget Sound marine and freshwater areas, Columbia River, and coastal and ocean waters, will be available soon on the WDFW season summaries and agreed fisheries webpage.
· For salmon season setting process materials and video presentations from all the meetings, refer to the NOF public meeting webpage. Visit the WDFW North of Falcon FAQs and Glossary Information for helpful key terms and other suggested resources.
April 14, 2025 — PFMC adopts the preliminary 2025 ocean recreational salmon fishing regulationsThe Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) adopted the preliminary 2025 ocean salmon fishing regulations today for further analysis that will lead to final adoption on April 15 in San Jose, California.
The ocean season includes a recreational Chinook guideline of 53,750 (41,000 in 2024) and a hatchery-marked coho quota of 99,720 (79,800 in 2024) for Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco), Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), Marine Area 3 (La Push), and Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay).
· Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): Open seven days per week from June 25 through Sept. 30, all salmon, with a subarea guideline of 16,150 Chinook (12,510 in 2024) and 49,860 hatchery-marked coho subarea quota (39,900 in 2024) is met. The daily limit is two salmon, and one Chinook only. Columbia Control Zone closed.
· Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores): Open seven days per week from June 21 through June 28, with a subarea guideline of 22,270 Chinook (17,430 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning June 29, all salmon, with 36,900 hatchery-marked coho subarea quota (29,530 in 2024) is met. Beginning June 29, the daily limit is two salmon, and only one Chinook.
· Marine Area 3 (La Push): Open seven days per week from June 21 through July 3, with a subarea guideline of 2,280 Chinook (1,630 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning July 4, all salmon, with 2,590 hatchery-marked coho subarea quota (2,070 in 2024) is met. Beginning July 4, the daily limit is two salmon. No chum retention beginning Aug. 1.
· Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay): Open seven days per week from June 21 through July 3, with a subarea guideline of 13,600 Chinook (9,430 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning July 4, all salmon, with 10,370 hatchery-marked coho subarea quota (8,300 in 2024) is met. Beginning July 4, the daily limit is two salmon. No chum retention beginning Aug. 1. Beginning Aug. 1, Chinook non-retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line during the managed ocean fishery.
Species and size restrictions are dependent on the area. WDFW fishery managers will monitor the number of salmon caught inseason by recreational anglers and may close areas earlier if quotas or guidelines are met. Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational total allowable catch. To view additional information on the ocean salmon seasons, refer to the PFMC briefing book webpage.
WDFW fishery managers have met with the recreational advisers and held public briefings for several days to discuss Puget Sound marine area and freshwater fisheries and changes to fisheries were needed to meet management objectives necessary for ensuring compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Analysis overnight by the PFMC Salmon Technical Team will show if there are any wild Chinook stocks not reaching management objectives.
For the 2025–2026 statewide and ocean forecasts and management objectives, refer to the WDFW NOF webpage. For the proposed 2025–2026 freshwater salmon seasons, refer to the WDFW proposed fisheries webpage.
The public may continue to provide comments on all potential 2025–2026 NOF recreational and commercial salmon fisheries at the WDFW NOF public input webpage. The public comment period ends when the PFMC takes final action on April 15.
A list of agreed statewide recreational salmon fisheries will be finalized at the PFMC meetings by early next week. WDFW staff will hold a final public briefing during the PFMC meeting on April 15 at 8:30 a.m., which will be available via virtual meetings. To register for the Zoom webinar briefings, refer to this link. WDFW will take additional public comments on the proposed 2025–2026 regulations package sometime in May through early June. Final regulations will be adopted in June.
Summer salmon fisheries like those in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) are part of the ongoing discussions by WDFW fishery managers at the Pacific Fishery Managment Council meetings on April 13 to 15 in San Jose, California.April 13, 2025 — WDFW fishery managers reviewing ocean, inner-marine and freshwater recreational salmon fisheries at PFMC meetings in San Jose, CaliforniaThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers continue to review proposed salmon fishing seasons at the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meetings on April 13 to 15 in San Jose, California.
The annual North of Falcon process has involved a series of public and state/tribal government-to-government meetings from late-February through mid-April to come to an agreement for the 2025–2026 salmon fishing season.
During the April 13 public morning briefing, WDFW fishery managers discussed the need to meet management objectives on several wild Chinook and coho runs necessary for ensuring compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Current modeling show Chinook stocks not meeting their objectives include Skagit summer and fall; Nooksack spring; Stillaguamish; Skokomish; and mid-Puget Sound stocks. WDFW fishery managers discussed several possible marine area fishery modifications that have the highest impact on Chinook stocks of concern.
The public may continue to provide comments on all potential 2025–2026 NOF recreational and commercial salmon fisheries at the WDFW NOF public input webpage.
For the 2025–2026 statewide and ocean forecasts and management objectives, refer to the WDFW NOF webpage. For the proposed 2025–2026 freshwater salmon seasons, refer to the WDFW proposed fisheries webpage.
A list of agreed statewide recreational salmon fisheries is expected to be finalized at the PFMC meetings. WDFW staff will hold public briefings during the PFMC meetings from April 14 to April 15 at 8:30 a.m., which will be available via virtual meetings. To register for the Zoom webinar briefings, refer to this link. WDFW will take additional public comments on the proposed 2025–2026 regulations package sometime in May through early June. Final regulations will be adopted in June.
The pink salmon forecast is expected to be quite large this summer. Pinks return during odd-numbered years and anglers should find decent fishing both from the shoreline and in boats throughout most of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (Photo by Mark Yuasa)April 8, 2025 — WDFW hosted four North of Falcon salmon-season setting discussions this past weekA list of agreed recreational salmon fisheries will be finalized at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings on April 10–15 in San Jose, CA.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hosted four public salmon-season setting discussions last week (April 1–3) as part of the annual North of Falcon (NOF) process, which involves a series of public and state/tribal government-to-government meetings through mid-April to come to an agreement for the upcoming year’s salmon fishing season.
WDFW fishery managers presented information and analysis of preliminary fishery proposals and discussed options for the 2025–2026 recreational fisheries that could resemble 2024–2025 seasons with possible adjustments. Meeting recordings, presentations and materials are available on the WDFW NOF meeting webpage.
At the meetings, the public offered additional proposals on how to shape recreational fisheries. Implementing new saltwater and freshwater fisheries in 2025 will be a challenge given the forecasted low abundances of several wild Chinook and coho stocks, as well as the costs of the monitoring — such as test fishing or catch sampling — typically required to hold additional fisheries.
In Hood Canal, the 2025 wild coho forecast is lower than previous years and WDFW and tribal co-managers are reviewing ways to reduce impacts. The Comprehensive Coho Management Plan and Pacific Salmon Treaty limit the exploitation rate (ER) — the maximum allowed proportion of a salmon stock that can be removed by a fishery — to 45% for mid-range forecast abundances, and to 20% for critically low forecast abundances.
Because the forecast for wild Hood Canal coho is not much above the critical abundance threshold, WDFW and tribal co-managers are planning to implement more conservative fisheries to reduce the combined ER below the allowable ceiling of 45%. The current proposal for recreational fishery reductions are converting Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) non-selective coho fishery to mark-selective at the end of September; convert Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) coho fisheries to mark-selective; and close Marine Area 12 to recreational salmon fishing from Oct. 1–15, then reopen for chum and hatchery coho beginning Oct. 16.
Similar to 2024, WDFW fishery managers will monitor the low mountain snowpack, which brings the potential for drought conditions; high water temperatures; extended hot weather this summer; and low water level issues in rivers.
These conditions could impact freshwater recreational fisheries and salmon migration in late summer and early fall timeframe, especially in rivers flowing off the Olympic Peninsula. As climate change impacts Washington’s watersheds and ecosystems, WDFW will monitor impacts and may need to adopt in-season management changes to address these conditions.
Understanding the coastal river landscapes that support aquatic species is vital for management and conservation strategies and gauging river temperatures provide more awareness of climatic tolerances of fish species like the Pacific salmon. Since 2014, WDFW has collaborated with coastal tribal co-managers and salmon recovery practitioners, as well as other local, state, and federal organizations on an extensive study of stream temperatures in watersheds of the Washington coast. For details about this ongoing project, refer to this WDFW’s blog.
Other meeting developmentsSeveral proposed coastal and Strait of Juan de Fuca freshwater rules include delaying the Dungeness River opener from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23; adding selective gear rules when salmon are present in the Lyre and Clallam rivers; extend fly-fishing only rules for two additional weeks to protect Chinook in the Hoko River; and increase the daily catch limit in the fall due to a higher coho forecast in the Hoh, and Quillayute including the Bogachiel, Calawah, and Dickey rivers.
Inner-marine Puget Sound recreational coho and Chinook fishery inputs are fairly similar to 2024. The 2025 proposed legal-marked hatchery Chinook quota for the late July summer fishery in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) is 3,900; Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) is 3,166; and Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) is 2,181. Those catch quotas are the same as 2024. All modeling results presented were based on the mid-ocean fishing option.
For the 2025 ocean salmon fishing season options and quotas, refer to the WDFW news release.
The 2025 Puget Sound pink forecast is 7.76 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — and predicted to be the third largest total return on record (up from a 2023 forecast of 3.95 million and an actual return of 7.22 million). The Green and Nisqually rivers are expected to have strong pink returns. In southern British Columbia, the Fraser River pink forecast is 27 million. Pinks return during odd-numbered years after spending two years in the ocean before migrating to rivers. 
During the April 1 discussion, WDFW proposed adding two additional pinks to the daily limit for all inner-marine areas except Marine Area 8–2 (Ports Susan and Gardner).
During the discussion on April 3, WDFW staff listened to proposals for the popular Baker Lake and Skagit River sockeye fisheries. A start date and daily catch limits are still being discussed. In 2025, 60,214 sockeye are forecasted to return to the Skagit River and destined for the Baker River and Baker Lake. This forecast is up 57% from the 10-year average and is slightly higher than the 2024 return of 56,750 sockeye.
WDFW staff presented an updated draft of the freshwater fishery proposals during the April 1 discussion. Most rivers are expected to have similar opportunities as the 2024 season with the addition of pink salmon. Exceptions may include the Stillaguamish river, where pink salmon returns are forecasted to be below escapement goal in part due to heavy flooding in 2023. Refer to the WDFW NOF webpage for the full draft proposal.
The Columbia River fisheries downstream of the Snake River discussion was April 3 at the WDFW Ridgefield regional office. For meeting materials and recording, refer to the WDFW events calendar webpage.
The virtual Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor joint fisheries discussion was April 2. For meeting materials and a video refer to the WDFW events calendar webpage.
For additional 2025 statewide salmon forecasts, refer to the WDFW NOF forecasts, model runs, and management objectives webpage.
The public may provide comments on potential 2025–2026 NOF salmon fisheries at the WDFW NOF public input webpage.
A list of agreed recreational salmon fisheries will be finalized at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings on April 10–15 in San Jose, CA. Beginning April 12 through April 15, WDFW staff plan to hold public briefings at 8:30 a.m. each day, which will be available via virtual meetings. To register for the morning briefings, refer to this link. WDFW will take additional public comments on the proposed 2025–2026 regulations package sometime in May through early June. Final regulations will be adopted in June.
Fishery managers will discuss Lower Columbia River fisheries during a North of Falcon meeting April 3 in Ridgefield. Photo by Dene Welch of a fall Chinook harvested in the Lower Columbia RIver.April 1, 2025 — What to know ahead of North of Falcon: Lower Columbia RiverAs part of the annual North of Falcon process, Oregon and Washington fishery managers will hold a hybrid public meeting in Ridgefield, April 3, beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting will cover forecasts, management objectives, and fishery concepts for Columbia River fisheries downstream of the Snake River.
While fishery managers will cover many topics during this meeting, here’s a few key points to keep in mind as you prepare for the discussion about this year’s Columbia River salmon and steelhead fisheries:
Columbia River fall fisheries managementFall salmon and steelhead fisheries operate within a complex system of mixed-stock management, meaning multiple stocks, or species, migrate through the Lower Columbia River at the same time. This requires careful planning to balance conservation goals with fishing opportunities. Key considerations include:
· Constraining stocks: Some salmon stocks present in the Columbia River are more vulnerable than others. Fishery managers design regulations to protect these stocks while still allowing harvest opportunities for healthier, or more abundant, populations.
· In-season management: Fisheries are adjusted in real time based on in-season estimates of catches, stock composition, and abundance updates for upriver-origin Chinook stocks. These adjustments help ensure to ensure fisheries stay within allowable harvest limits for fish species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).
· No recreational area allocations: Unlike spring and summer fisheries, fall salmon fisheries in the Columbia River do not have set allocations for specific areas. This is a common misconception during the salmon-season setting process. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s only guidance on fall Chinook recreational allocation is that it cannot exceed 70% of the most limited stock.
Recent in-season stability measuresSince 2023, unpredictable environmental changes and increased fishing effort, or number of anglers, has led fishery managers to take a more conservative management approach to create a more predictable fishery. This shift in approach, which relies on in-season fisheries and abundance data, as well as considerations for additional opportunity, is necessary due to:
· Unexpected closures and thermal barriers: In 2021–2022, fishery managers had to close fisheries unexpectedly due to difficulties in predicting a combination of high catch rates and increased catches of the most limiting stock. These situations can arise when thermal barriers cause fish to concentrate in certain areas, such as in the Buoy 10 fishery near the Lower Columbia River mouth, or as fish congregate near tributary mouths, leading to increased harvest pressure. At this time, fishery managers are unable to predict when these situations will develop as these conditions do not occur every year and fisheries are planned several months in advance.
· Changes in fishing effort and methods: Increased angler participation and higher catch rates have led to greater fishing pressure in key areas like Buoy 10, the Lower Columbia River, and above Bonneville Dam. As fish abundance or regulations change, anglers adjust by changing their fishing locations and efforts. Additionally, advancements in fishing technology, gear, and techniques have further contributed to higher catch rates in recent years.
· Adaptive management strategy: The current approach allows fishery managers to make incremental adjustments each season based on new data to maintain a balanced fishery while meeting conservation goals. Managers use catch modeling to estimate the maximum expected ESA impact and design season structures to reduce the risk from unexpected challenges like in-season abundance downgrades, presence of thermal barriers, or significant fishing effort shifts.
Considering angler prioritiesAngler priorities also play a role in season planning. Understanding these factors helps guide decisions that impact fishing opportunities throughout the Lower Columbia River. In recent years, anglers have expressed the following priorities for fishery managers to consider:
· Fishery types: During the fall Chinook season, many anglers prefer non-mark-selective fisheries (non-MSF), which allow the harvest of both hatchery and wild fish. However, some anglers favor mark-selective fisheries (MSF), where only hatchery fish are retained. MSFs can sometimes provide more fishing days since wild fish are released.
· Fishing opportunity vs. catch rates: Some anglers prioritize extended seasons and accessibility, while others prefer higher catch rates over a shorter timeframe when fishing is productive.
· Fish quality preferences: Some anglers have no preference, while others prefer bright-stock fall Chinook.
· Predictability vs. risk: Some anglers prefer consistent seasons, while others value the flexibility to adjust as fishing conditions improve. Early-season fisheries, like Buoy 10, rely heavily on pre-season forecasts and planning. In contrast, later-season fisheries, such as Warrior Rock upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco, may benefit from in-season abundance upgrades but also face risks if the return is smaller than expected or if other fisheries exceed expected pre-season ESA impact limits.
Join the discussionYour input is essential to shaping the upcoming Columbia River salmon and steelhead fisheries. This year’s discussion will focus on key management considerations, including constraints on vulnerable stocks, in-season adjustments, and efforts to improve fishery stability amid changing conditions.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) encourages those interested in Columbia River fisheries to attend the April 3 meeting to discuss these fisheries, whether in person or virtually, to stay informed. More information about this meeting, including meeting resources and materials, is available on WDFW’s North of Falcon meeting webpage.
More information· Please note that parking at the Southwest Washington regional office in Ridgefield is limited. Those planning to attend in person are encouraged to carpool if possible.
· Refer to the Columbia River reports, forecasts, returns, and fishery plans webpage for more information about this year’s salmon and steelhead seasons.
· Learn more about the complex world of Columbia River fisheries management in our two-part video series (Part 1 and Part 2) on WDFW’s YouTube channel.
· WDFW will be hosting a virtual public webinar Tuesday, April 1, from 6–8 p.m., to discuss potential updates to the Lower Columbia River Tributary Fisheries Management and Evaluation Plan. This meeting will discuss potential fisheries management strategies and allow participants to ask questions about the evaluation process. For more information, including how to participate, refer to the meeting webpage.
March 25, 2025 — WDFW hosts follow-up North of Falcon salmon-season setting meetingThe second public salmon season setting meeting was held Tuesday, March 25 in Lynnwood as part of the annual North of Falcon process, which involves a series of public and state/tribal government-to-government meetings through April to come to an agreement for the upcoming year’s salmon fishing season.
WDFW fishery managers presented information and analysis of preliminary fishery proposals and discussed options for the 2025–2026 Puget Sound recreational fisheries that could resemble 2024–2025 seasons with possible adjustments.
At the meeting the public offered additional proposals on how to shape recreational fisheries. The likelihood of implementing any new saltwater and freshwater fisheries could be a challenge given the low abundances of several Puget Sound wild Chinook and coho stocks and the cost of any increased monitoring of fisheries. Refer to our WDFW NOF public meeting webpage for meeting materials, including public proposals staff heard as part of the meeting’s public comment opportunity.
WDFW staff presented a draft of the freshwater fishery proposals during the meeting and expects most rivers to have similar opportunities as the 2024 season with the addition of pink salmon. Refer to the WDFW NOF webpage for the full draft proposal.
Here are several 2025 recreational season considerations:Hood Canal wild coho discussions are ongoing and will provide an update soon. The Interior Fraser (Thompson River) in southern British Columbia is another wild coho stock of concern.
Inside Puget Sound sport Chinook fishery inputs are currently the same as 2024. All modeling results presented were based on the mid-ocean fishing option. For the 2025 ocean salmon fishing season options and quotas, refer to the WDFW news release.
Potential limiting wild Chinook stocks are Nooksack spring; Skagit summer/fall; Stillaguamish; Snohomish; Lake Washington; Green; and Puyallup. Final fishery plans developed over the next three weeks will have to meet conservation objectives for all stocks.
Maximize fishing opportunity within available impacts/conservation constraints, which include additional pink catch limits where applicable.
Updated Chinook and coho fisheries modeling should be available for the upcoming meetings. The next virtual public meetings include a coastal/Strait of Juan de Fuca freshwater focused discussion and Puget Sound recreational fisheries on April 1; Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor fisheries on April 2; Columbia River downstream of Snake River fisheries on April 3; and Puget Sound freshwater and marine recreational fisheries on April 3. For a list of meetings, refer to the WDFW NOF webpage.
A list of agreed salmon seasons will be finalized at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings on April 10–15 in San Jose, CA. During each day, WDFW staff plan to hold public briefings, which will be available via virtual meetings. WDFW will take additional public comments on the proposed 2025–2026 regulations package in early June. Final regulations will be adopted in June.
Other meeting developmentsThe 2025 Baker Lake sockeye forecast is 60,214 — up 57% from the 10-year average — and predicted to be a record forecast compared to 56,750 in 2024 and 31,296 (actual return was a record high of more than 65,000) in 2023.
The 2025 Puget Sound pink forecast is nearly 7.8 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — and predicted to be the third largest total return on record (up from more than 3.9 million in 2023). In southern British Columbia, the Fraser River pink forecast is 27 million. Pinks return during odd-numbered years after spending two years in the ocean before migrating to rivers.
For additional 2025 statewide salmon forecasts, refer to the WDFW NOF forecasts, model runs, and management objectives webpage.
The public may provide comments on potential 2025–2026 North of Falcon salmon fisheries at the WDFW NOF public input webpage.
Salmon anglers try their luck from the Puget Sound shoreline to catch pinks in the late summer of 2023. In 2025, nearly 7.8 million pinks are forecasted to return to Puget Sound. (Photo by WDFW)March 19, 2025 — WDFW hosts North of Falcon salmon-season setting meetingWDFW fishery managers held a public salmon season setting meeting today in Olympia. Today’s meeting is part of the annual North of Falcon process, which involves a series of public and state/tribal government-to-government meetings through April to come to an agreement for the upcoming year’s salmon fishing season. 
 
The presentation included the 2025 salmon forecasts/abundances and an initial discussion on the 2025–2026 fishing season package that could resemble the 2024–2025 season. The likelihood of implementing any new saltwater and freshwater fisheries could be a challenge given the low abundances of several Puget Sound wild Chinook and coho stocks and the cost of any increased monitoring of fisheries. Meeting materials can be found on the NOF public meeting webpage.
Here are the 2025 Puget Sound recreational considerations:Puget Sound Chinook forecasts show the hatchery total is up slightly (plus-6%), and wild total is down slightly (minus-8%). The hatchery coho total is up slightly (plus-10%) and wild total is down slightly (minus-12%).
Pink fisheries and other fishery inputs will be added to the next round of modeling.
Next model runs are likely to exceed exploitation rate (ER) — the maximum allowed proportion of a salmon stock that can be removed from a fishery — objectives for several critical stocks that are below limits in current modeling. The wild Chinook stocks of concern include the Nooksack, Skagit summer/fall and Snohomish rivers.
Expectations for marine recreational fisheries for Chinook are similar to last year.
Hood Canal wild coho forecast is lower than previous years and will be above the ER ceiling. Thompson (interior Fraser) River of southern British Columbia coho is likely to be above its ER ceiling.
Recent years non-select coho opportunities will likely be reduced in 2025.
State and tribal co-managers will meet Thursday, March 20, and run an initial season model for inside fisheries. This will create a starting point for all fishing options while staying within objectives for certain low wild Chinook and coho abundances. Once completed, it will be posted on the WDFW NOF webpage for public review.
The next public North of Falcon meeting is Tuesday, March 25, 9 a.m., at the Lynnwood Embassy Suites, 20610 44th Avenue West, Lynnwood. This meeting has both in-person and online attendance options. Register in advance on the WDFW events webpage. For a list of remaining meetings, refer to the WDFW NOF webpage.
Other meeting developmentsThe freshwater salmon proposals were presented during the Olympia meeting, and most rivers are expected to have similar opportunities as the 2024 season with the addition of pinks. Continued poor Snohomish River stock performance will likely result in a reduced season. The updated freshwater fishery proposal document can be found on the WDFW NOF webpage.
The 2025 Puget Sound pink forecast is nearly 7.8 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — and predicted to be the third largest total return on record (up from more than 3.9 million in 2023). In southern British Columbia, the Fraser River pink forecast is 27 million. Pinks return during odd-numbered years after spending two years in the ocean before migrating to rivers.
The 2025 Baker Lake sockeye forecast is 60,214 — up 57% from the 10-year average — and predicted to be a record forecast compared to 56,750 in 2024 and 31,296 (actual return was a record high of more than 65,000) in 2023.
For additional 2025 statewide salmon forecasts, go to the WDFW NOF forecasts, model runs, and management objectives webpage.
The Upper Columbia and Snake River fisheries discussion was held in-person only on Tuesday, March 18 in Wenatchee. Go to this link for the video presentation.
The public may provide comments on potential 2025–2026 North of Falcon salmon fisheries at the WDFW NOF public input webpage.
A list of agreed salmon seasons will be finalized at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings on April 10–15 in San Jose, CA. During each day, WDFW staff plan to hold public briefings, which will be available via virtual meetings. WDFW will take public comments on the proposed 2025–26 regulations package in early June. Final regulations will be adopted in June.
Fishery managers developed the ocean fishing alternatives for Washington, Oregon and California during the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings on March 6–11 in Vancouver, Washington. (Photo by Chase Gunnell)March 11, 2025 — WDFW seeks public input on 2025 ocean salmon fishery proposalsFishery managers have developed options for Washington’s ocean salmon fisheries. These options reflect higher numbers than 2024 for hatchery Chinook and coho forecasted to return to the Columbia River, while also considering conservation needs for natural-origin stocks.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), which brings tribal, federal, and state entities together to establish fishing seasons in ocean waters three to 200 nautical miles off the Pacific Coast, approved three options for ocean salmon fisheries for public review. These ocean options will help inform other Washington salmon fisheries as the season-setting process continues through April.
“With the range of ocean fishery options set, Washington state fishery managers can start working on interior Puget Sound salmon fisheries,” said Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program director. “We invite the public to join us and share input at the upcoming North of Falcon meeting in Olympia on March 19, when we’ll present management objectives and proposed fishery plans for Puget Sound.”
The options for 2025 include the following coho quotas and Chinook guidelines for recreational fisheries off the Washington coast:
Option one: 122,500 Chinook and 120,000 marked coho.
Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 10,480 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 14,330 Chinook. No Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning Aug. 1.
La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 2,620 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 2,400 Chinook.
Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 37,300 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 23,940 Chinook.
Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 50,400 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 18,330 Chinook.
All option one seasons include a short period of coho non-retention in June.
Option two: 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho.
Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 30, or 10,050 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 13,360 Chinook. No Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning Aug. 1.
La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 14, or 2,510 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 2,230 Chinook.
Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open seven days per week from June 28 either through Aug. 2, or 35,740 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 22,320 Chinook. Beginning Aug. 3 through Sept. 28, open five days per week (Sunday-Thursday) or until the quotas and guidelines are met.
Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 25, either through Sept. 30, or 48,300 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 17,090 Chinook.
Option three: 92,500 Chinook and 85,000 marked coho.
Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 8, or 7,420 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 11,230 Chinook. No Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning Aug. 1.
La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 8, or 1,860 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 1,880 Chinook.
Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open five days per week (Sunday-Thursday) from June 29, either through July 24, or 26,420 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 18,770 Chinook. Beginning July 25 through Sept. 21, open seven days per week or until the quotas and guidelines are met.
Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 15, or 35,700 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 14,370 Chinook.
Buoy 10 (located near the mouth of the Lower Columbia River): The expected landed catch of marked coho ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 under these options.
Under these scenarios, fishery managers will monitor the number of salmon recreational anglers catch and may close areas earlier than the above dates if quotas are met. For more details about the options, refer to the PFMC March council meeting webpage.
Coho quotas and Chinook guidelines and seasons that the PFMC approved will be part of a comprehensive 2025 salmon-fishing package, which includes marine and freshwater fisheries throughout Washington. State and tribal co-managers will complete the tentative 2025 salmon fisheries seasons in conjunction with PFMC during its April 10–15 meeting in San Jose, California.
WDFW’s North of Falcon №1 meeting is Wednesday, March 19 at 9 a.m., at the Office Building 2 Auditorium, 1115 Washington Street S.E. in Olympia. This meeting is hybrid, and pre-registration is required to attend virtually.
In addition to attending meetings throughout the state, the public can participate in the NOF process by:
Submitting online comments on potential fisheries at WDFW’s North of Falcon public input webpage. Additional comment opportunities on specific seasons and fisheries will be available as forecasts and proposed season summaries are available.
Attending virtual meetings and daily briefings with state fishery managers in the second PFMC meeting in San Jose, California during the final days of negotiations. Meeting information will be available on the North of Falcon public meeting schedule.
Fishery managers use public feedback on these options to negotiate a final season among states and tribes represented at PFMC. WDFW listens closely to the input of anglers statewide and attempts to find solutions that best serve the wide array of interested participants.
For a full timeline of the WDFW public meetings with opportunities to participate and provide feedback, visit the North of Falcon overview page.
Late-winter sunset on the Columbia River at Vancouver, WA. WDFW photo.March 9, 2025 — WDFW presents adjustments to ocean quota alternativesDuring the March 9 Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Vancouver, Washington, WDFW presented updates to the proposed ocean quota alternatives:
· Option 1: 122,500 Chinook and 120,000 marked coho.
· Option 2: 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho.
· Option 3: 92,500 Chinook and 90,000 marked coho.­­
“After evaluating the three preliminary recreational ocean salmon fishing quota options for Washington waters presented during the March 7 meeting, we needed to adjust options one and three to help us meet management objectives on key stock­­s,” said Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program director.
These adjustments are a routine part of the process during PFMC meetings. Over the next two days, WDFW will work with co-managers, state and federal partners, and the public to agree on the range of ocean quota alternatives for recreational and commercial fisheries off the Washington coast. The final ocean alternatives will be announced March 11.
Final fishing seasons for recreational and commercial fisheries for the coast, Puget Sound, and Columbia River will be announced following the PFMC meeting on April 10–15 in San Jose, California. Between the March and April PFMC meetings, WDFW will host public meetings throughout the state to gather feedback on proposed fisheries as part of the North of Falcon Process. Find information about upcoming meetings, materials, and opportunities to provide public input on the updated WDFW North of Falcon webpages.
An angler holds an 18-pound coho caught in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco). Photo by David Bergeron.March 7, 2025 — Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meetingThe Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is meeting in Vancouver, Washington, March 6 to 11 to begin developing ocean salmon fishing regulations for 2025. Discussions focus on the latest salmon forecasts, management goals, and initial proposed fishing season options. Reports from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), tribes, and state agencies will set the stage for decision-making in April.
In the March 7 meeting, WDFW fishery managers developed and proposed three preliminary recreational ocean salmon fishing season and quota options for Washington waters. These initial proposed ocean quota alternatives include:
· Option 1: 127,500 Chinook and 130,000 marked coho.
· Option 2: 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho.
· Option 3: 97,500 Chinook and 100,000 marked coho.
“Now that we have these initial options, we can begin to craft fisheries that balance harvest with conservation for the upcoming year,” said Kelly Cunningham, Fish Program director. “This is an important first milestone in the North of Falcon process.”
Other meeting developments
· Discussions during the March 6 meeting focused on reviewing 2024 salmon returns and 2025 forecasts. Refer to WDFW’s Feb. 28 Salmon Fishing Current blog post for this year’s initial statewide salmon forecasts.
Upcoming meetings
· WDFW will hold the first North of Falcon public meeting of the 2025 session on Wednesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Office Building 2 Auditorium in Olympia. The meeting will cover statewide management objectives and proposed fishery plans, with a focus on Puget Sound recreational and commercial fisheries. The meeting will be hybrid; pre-registration is required. More information, including meeting materials, will be available on the March 19 event webpage.
· For a complete list of upcoming statewide salmon-related public meetings, visit the WDFW North of Falcon public meeting schedule.
Washington, Oregon, and California salmon fishing seasons are expected to be finalized during a PFMC meeting on April 10–15 in San Jose, California.
The statewide salmon forecast meeting was held on Feb. 28 in Olympia. (Photo by WDFW)Feb. 28, 2025 — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) release salmon forecasts and predict a good Puget Sound pink returnInitial statewide salmon forecasts, developed by WDFW fishery managers and tribal co-managers, were presented at a public meeting on Friday, Feb. 28. The meeting materials and salmon forecasts are on the WDFW North of Falcon webpage.
While the initial 2025–2026 salmon forecasts have come to light, we are still a few months away from knowing exactly how those will correlate into specific freshwater and marine area fishing seasons. The discussion during the meeting centered on management objectives, environmental factors and how they affect salmon, and feedback from the public and sport fishing advisory groups.
The next steps in the salmon season setting process are determining if there’s a harvestable surplus; proposing fisheries and predicting catches; modeling fisheries to shape which stocks are of conservation concern and constraining fisheries; and negotiating with tribal co-managers and other states for equitable catch sharing plans and impacts on weak salmon stocks.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meets on March 6–11 in Vancouver, Washington. During the meetings, WDFW fishery managers will develop three proposed ocean salmon season and quota options for waters three to 200 nautical miles off the Washington coast. For event details, agenda, and materials, visit the PFMC website.
Washington, Oregon, and California salmon fishing seasons are expected to be finalized during a PFMC meeting on April 10–15 in San Jose, California. For a complete list of upcoming statewide salmon-related public meetings, visit the WDFW North of Falcon public meeting webpage.
A strong pink salmon forecast of nearly 7.8 million is expected to flood into Puget Sound in late summer. (Photo by Mark Yuasa)Strong Puget Sound pink forecast expectedThe 2025 Puget Sound pink forecast of nearly 7.8 million is predicted to be the third largest total return on record, up from more than 3.9 million in 2023, and 2.9 million in 2021.
A breakdown of the pink forecasts:
• Green River, 1,835,366.
• Hood Canal, 2,414,207.
• Nisqually, 1,503,704.
• Nooksack River, 97,370.
• Skagit River, 468,073.
• Stillaguamish River, 117,322.
• Snohomish River, 315,942.
• Puyallup River, 709,292.
• Strait of Juan de Fuca, 294,503.
• South Sound areas, 503.
While relatively small (three to five pounds), pinks are the fastest growing Pacific salmon species. They return in bulk during odd-numbered years after spending two years in the ocean before migrating to natal rivers.
The Puget Sound pink run usually peaks in mid-August, and in southern Puget Sound the last week of August and early September are best. Pinks draw a buzz among salmon anglers because they’re relatively easy to catch from shore and boat. Pinks tend to stay close to the shoreline to avoid strong currents, so bank anglers can find them just a short cast away. Pink fishing in Puget Sound was accessible in 2023 and 2021 during late summer.
Other salmon forecasts• The 2025 Puget Sound summer/fall wild Chinook forecast is 24,853 compared to 28,566 in 2024. The hatchery Chinook forecast is 246,524 compared to 194,338 in 2024. The wild Chinook stocks of concern in 2025 are the Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Skagit and Nooksack rivers. On the coast, the 2025 wild Chinook forecast is 32,823 and the hatchery Chinook forecast is 42,440.
•The 2025 Puget Sound coho forecast is 727,058 compared to 722,619 in 2024. The wild coho forecast of 264,878 is down from 302,653 in 2024, but the hatchery forecast of 462,180 is up from 419,966 in 2024.
•The Hood Canal wild coho forecast of 16,710 returning in 2025 is much smaller than the 2024 return of 36,422, putting the stock in critical status and requiring a much lower level of impact than was allowed in 2024 (20% Exploitation Rate ceiling in 2025 vs. 45% Exploitation Rate in 2024).
•The 2025 Baker Lake sockeye forecast is 60,214 and is predicted to be another record high forecast up from 56,750 in 2024 and 31,296 (actual return was a record high of more than 65,000) in 2023.
•The 2025 Columbia River fall Chinook forecast is 718,000 compared to the forecast of 547,800 and an actual return of 669,505 in 2024. The 2025 Columbia River coho forecast is 303,800 and much lower than the forecast of 736,982 in 2024.
•The 2025 Columbia River sockeye forecast of 350,200 is about half of last year’s record return, however this year’s forecast is slightly higher than the 10-year recent average return and predicted to be a good return. The Okanogan River forecast is 248,000 (288,700 was forecast and the actual return of 572,552 in 2024).
•The 2025 Lake Wenatchee sockeye forecast is 94,000 in 2025. The 2024 record breaking sockeye return was 190,117 (97,000 was the forecast in 2024). The 2025 Lake Wenatchee forecast is well above the spawning escapement objective of 23,000 at Tumwater Dam, and if that happens there is a possibility for another late-summer sport fishery in the lake.
An angler holds a spring Chinook caught in the Lower Columbia River. Fishery managers on Feb. 19 approved this year’s Columbia River recreational spring Chinook fishing seasons during a joint state hearing. (Photo by Steve Graves)Feb. 19, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons announcedThe 2025 Columbia River recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing season has been set after fishery managers from Washington and Oregon on Wednesday approved the season structure during a joint state hearing.
This year’s forecast projects 217,500 spring Chinook will return to the Columbia River’s mouth, up from an estimated 189,559 fish in 2024. The forecast estimates 122,500 of those fish will return to tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam, an increase from the estimated 116,332 upriver fish that returned last year.
“With an upriver run size that compares similarly to recent years, we’re in a position to provide some quality fishing opportunities,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “At the same time, we must carefully manage these fisheries to protect Endangered Species Act-listed stocks to ensure the long-term stability of these fisheries.”
Salmon and steelhead fishing is open daily through March 31 from the mouth of the Columbia River to the Interstate 5 bridge under permanent regulations. During today’s hearing, fishery managers approved additional fishing opportunities on the mainstem Columbia River for the following dates and locations:
March 1 through April 6: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks by hand-cast from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. Salmon and steelhead: The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. All wild steelhead and salmon other than hatchery Chinook must be released. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep. Shad retention is also allowed, with no size minimum or daily limit.
April 1–26: Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to the Washington/Oregon border, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks by hand-cast from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines. Salmon and steelhead: The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Anglers must release all wild steelhead and all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep.
In 2025, recreational anglers are projected to harvest approximately 5,200 adult Chinook below Bonneville Dam and 550 from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border.
“Fortunately, we are able to provide a quality April weekend fishing opportunity downstream of Bonneville Dam this year,” Lothrop said. “Upstream of Bonneville Dam, increasing catch rates in recent years have led to early closures, resulting in fewer open fishing days before this year’s in-season run size update. However, if the run size update is large enough or if there is remaining catch allocation, additional fishing time is likely.”
Fishery managers will monitor the fisheries, dam counts, and hatchery returns as the season progresses and adjust as necessary. The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee typically provides a run size update in mid-May.
Salmon and steelhead rules and limits in Deep River will be the same as the mainstem Columbia River when the mainstem is open to spring Chinook retention. Based on preseason forecasts, anglers can also expect to harvest spring Chinook in the Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers in 2025.
Anglers should review the Washington Sport Fishing rules pamphlet or Fish Washington® mobile app for all permanent rules for the waters they plan to fish, as well as check for any emergency rule changes before heading out. Regulations may be modified in-season as returns materialize.
To receive regulation updates and Columbia River Compact fishery notices via email, subscribe to WDFW’s mailing lists.
Spring Chinook fishing tipsTrolling is the preferred method for anglers targeting spring Chinook in the lower Columbia River mainstem, while anchor fishing can be effective in areas with stronger currents. Many anglers find success using bait-wrapped plugs, herring, or prawns, with a diver or weight to keep gear near the riverbed, or bottom, where Chinook typically travel. Flashers are often used in combination with baits or lures to create additional attraction through flash and vibration. Using barbless hooks is required.
Selective fishing practices are essential to protecting wild stocks, particularly those listed under the Endangered Species Act. Anglers should handle fish with care, keeping wild salmon and steelhead in the water as much as possible when preparing to release. For tips on how to properly release a salmon or steelhead, refer to our blog post or watch our YouTube video.
A boat trolling for salmon in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area). The winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14.Feb. 13, 2025 — Winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14Given the popularity of winter salmon fisheries in recent years and after discussions with the Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group and recreational anglers, who indicated a priority to preserve opportunities as long as possible, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers, changed the season length in three marine areas.
Winter salmon fishing in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) and Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) opens four days a week — Wednesdays through Saturdays only — starting April 2 and winter Chinook fishing in Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) opens daily starting April 14. The opening dates are a change from the 2024–2025 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, which had the winter season in Marine Area 5 open from April 1 to 30, and Marine Areas 10 and 11 open daily from March 16 through April 30.
“Starting the season in Marine Areas 10 and 11 on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule gives us the best chance to fish the entire month,” said Lyle Jennings, the WDFW Puget Sound recreational fisheries manager. “Marine Area 5 is opening late due to limited moorage space and all the docks aren’t expected to be installed at the beginning of April.”
In Marine Areas 10 and 11, winter salmon fishing is open Wednesdays through Saturdays only from April 2 to 30, except open daily at year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier, Seacrest Pier, Waterman Pier, Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, Point Defiance Dock, and Redondo Pier).
In Marine Area 10, the winter Chinook guidelines are 4,787 total encounters, 735 total unmarked encounters, and 4,055 total sublegal (Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size limit) encounters. In Marine Area 11, the winter Chinook fishery guideline is 1,196 total encounters, 209 total unmarked encounters, and 840 total sublegal encounters.
In Marine Areas 10 and 11, the daily limit is two salmon including no more than one hatchery-marked Chinook. Anglers must release chum and wild Chinook, and the Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. All other salmon species have no minimum size limit. The Agate Pass Area in Marine Area 10 remains open daily through March 31 for catch-and-release fly fishing only, and closed beginning April 1. Commencement Bay in Marine Area 11 east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock line is closed to salmon fishing.
In Marine Area 5, winter Chinook fishing is open daily from April 14 to 30. The daily limit is one hatchery-marked Chinook. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Anglers must release all salmon other than hatchery-marked Chinook. In Marine Area 5, the total sublegal Chinook encounters are 2,168.
WDFW will evaluate catch rates from fishery data collected each week via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season and assess whether the fishery should be opened additional days per week. For weekly updates on the status of these fisheries, anglers can refer to WDFW’s seasonal Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas webpage.
Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and WDFW’s emergency rules webpage and download the Fish Washington mobile app for up-to-date regulations. Anglers are encouraged to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications.
Salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. The 2025–2026 statewide salmon forecast kickoff meeting is Friday, Feb. 28 in Olympia. For the public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback, refer to the new WDFW North of Falcon webpage. For key terms and suggested resources refer to the WDFW’s North of Falcon FAQs and Glossary Information.
Salmon anglers fishing for sockeye on the Upper Columbia River at Brewster. (Photo by WDFW)Feb. 11, 2025 — WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting processThe 2025–26 Washington salmon season setting process kicks off on Friday, Feb. 28 when WDFW fishery managers have scheduled opportunities for the public to participate in a hybrid statewide forecast meeting in Olympia.
WDFW will present initial salmon forecasts developed by WDFW and tribal co-manager fisheries biologists on Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Office Building 2 Auditorium, 1115 Washington Street S.E. in Olympia. The main session of the Feb. 28 meeting will be available to watch via Zoom webinar. Participants must register in advance. The public can refer to the WDFW salmon forecast meeting news release for more information.
This will be followed by a Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting from March 6–11 in Vancouver, WA, where initial 2025 ocean fishing options will be adopted.
The first NOF public meeting to shape fisheries for inner-marine and freshwater salmon fisheries is March 19 in Olympia, and the second NOF public meeting is March 25 in Lynnwood. The final salmon seasons will be tentatively adopted when the PFMC meets from April 10–15 in San Jose, CA. A full timeline of the state’s North of Falcon process, including a public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate in meetings and provide public feedback, visit the WDFW North of Falcon webpage.
Piper the fish hound takes a restorative nap during a lull between the fishing action in the Columbia River spring Chinook fishery. (Photo by Andy Walgamott)Feb. 11, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons to be announced soonThe first in a series of meetings is a hybrid joint state hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. where Washington and Oregon fishery managers will consider Columbia River recreational spring Chinook fisheries.
The Feb. 19 hearing will be held at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Clackamas office, 17330 S.E. Evelyn Street, Clackamas, OR 97015 and a teleconference call in option will be available on the Columbia River recreational fisheries webpage. The hearings are open to the public and allow for public testimony; interested individuals can sign up to receive notice of hearings.
Spring Chinook primarily enter freshwater during February through June to spawn in Columbia River tributaries during August through October. Returning adults are comprised of lower river (originating from tributaries downstream of Bonneville Dam) and upriver (originating from tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam) stocks.
Most wild spring Chinook entering the Columbia River are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return to the Snake River and Upper Columbia River tributaries.
The total spring Chinook forecast for 2025 is 217,500 up from the 2024 preseason of 205,600 and the actual return of 189,559.
In 2025, preseason forecasting anticipates a return of 122,500 adult upriver-origin spring Chinook and is 88% of the average returned observed from 2015 to 2024. Approximately 116,332 adult aged upriver-origin spring Chinook returned to the Columbia River in 2024, which was less than the preseason forecast of 121,000.
You can find all the early Columbia River spring and summer salmon forecasts by going to the WDFW website.
Under the current permanent WDFW regulations, the 2025 spring Chinook fishery on the Lower Columbia is open daily through March 31 from Buoy 10 to the Interstate-5 Bridge.
The Salmon Fishing Current blog: North of Falcon 2025 edition

Find the latest salmon updates

April 21— 2025 North of Falcon reflections by Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program Director

Thank you for getting involved

Public input helps us make difficult decisions

Staying in the loop

Next steps in the process

Thanks to WDFW staff and public participants

About WDFW

April 15 — Tentative statewide 2025–2026 salmon fishing seasons adopted during Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and North of Falcon (NOF) meetings

Puget Sound salmon fisheries

Strong Puget Sound pink salmon run expected

Baker Lake sockeye fishery

Ocean salmon fisheries

Coastal freshwater conditions to be monitored

Columbia River salmon fisheries

Other meeting developments

April 14, 2025 — PFMC adopts the preliminary 2025 ocean recreational salmon fishing regulations

April 13, 2025 — WDFW fishery managers reviewing ocean, inner-marine and freshwater recreational salmon fisheries at PFMC meetings in San Jose, California

April 8, 2025 — WDFW hosted four North of Falcon salmon-season setting discussions this past week

Other meeting developments

April 1, 2025 — What to know ahead of North of Falcon: Lower Columbia River

Columbia River fall fisheries management

Recent in-season stability measures

Considering angler priorities

Join the discussion

More information

March 25, 2025 — WDFW hosts follow-up North of Falcon salmon-season setting meeting

Here are several 2025 recreational season considerations:

Other meeting developments

March 19, 2025 — WDFW hosts North of Falcon salmon-season setting meeting

Here are the 2025 Puget Sound recreational considerations:

Other meeting developments

March 11, 2025 — WDFW seeks public input on 2025 ocean salmon fishery proposals

March 9, 2025 — WDFW presents adjustments to ocean quota alternatives

March 7, 2025 — Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting

Feb. 28, 2025 — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) release salmon forecasts and predict a good Puget Sound pink return

Strong Puget Sound pink forecast expected

Other salmon forecasts

Feb. 19, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons announced

Spring Chinook fishing tips

Feb. 13, 2025 — Winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14

Feb. 11, 2025 — WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting process

Feb. 11, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons to be announced soon

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Written by The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

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