Washington · North Cascades · Puget Sound
Skagit River fishing guide
A large glacial river draining the North Cascades to Puget Sound, the Skagit is known for salmon, steelhead, bull trout, and a storied catch-and-release wild steelhead season, with broad public access and drift water.
Current conditions
As of September 1, 2026, Skagit River is running around 2,200 cfs with water around 52°F. Conditions look good for fishing right now.
- State
- Washington
- Public access
- Yes
- Access points
- 12
- Species recorded
- 8
These conditions are read from our data about once a day and may not reflect the current moment. For real-time conditions, open Guidepole Fish.
Public access & launches
Extensive public bank access along the Skagit River, computed from public land ownership and hydrography.
- Newhalem Creek CampgroundBoat launch
- Baker River Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Sedro-Woolley Boat LaunchWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeBoat launch
- Marblemount Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Hamilton Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Conway Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Roger 'Gus' Tjeerdsma Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Goodell Creek CampgroundBoat launch
- Pressentin FerryWDFWBoat access
- Barnaby SloughWDFWFishing access
- UtopiaWDFWFishing access
- Pressentin CreekWDFWBoat access
Regulations
- All game fishSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge) CRC (830)
- Season
- June 1-Jan. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
- All game fishSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge) to Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem CRC (830)
- Season
- June 1-Jan. 31
Catch and Release. Except: 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from mouth of Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete CRC (830)
- Season
- Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Night closure.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from mouth of Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete CRC (830)
- Season
- June 1-June 30
- Gear
- Selective gear rules, except only one single-point barbless hook measuring 1/2 inch or less from point to shank allowed
Night closure. Selective gear rules, except only one single-point barbless hook measuring 1/2 inch or less from point to shank allowed.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from the mouth (a line projected from the terminus of the jetty with McGlinn Island to the white monument on the easterly end of Ika Island, then to a white monument on the westerly end of Craft Island, then to a white monument near t
- Season
- Mar. 1-Aug. 15
- Gear
- Selective gear rules
Selective gear rules. Except: Anglers fishing for sturgeon must use bait. Anglers may not use hooks that measure greater than 1/2 inch from point to shank, except anglers fishing for sturgeon may use single-point barbless hooks of any size.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from mouth of Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete CRC (830)
- Season
- Sept. 1-Sept. 30
- Gear
- Single-point barbless hooks required
Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) to mouth of Gilligan Creek CRC (830)
- Season
- July 1-July 31
Night closure.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from the mouth (a line projected from the terminus of the jetty with McGlinn Island to the white monument on the easterly end of Ika Island, then to a white monument on the westerly end of Craft Island, then to a white monument near t
- Season
- Aug. 16-Oct. 31
Night closure.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) to mouth of Gilligan Creek CRC (830)
- Season
- June 1-June 30
- Gear
- Selective gear rules except only barbless hooks measuring 1/2 inch or less from point to shank allowed
Selective gear rules except only barbless hooks measuring 1/2 inch or less from point to shank allowed; anglers fishing for sturgeon must use bait and must use only one single-point barbless hook of any size.
- All speciesSKAGIT/WHATCOM CO. · from Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) to mouth of Gilligan Creek CRC (830)
- Season
- Aug. 16-Oct. 31
Night closure.
As of 2026-08-28.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.Official Washington regulations
What’s in it
Recorded in/near this water. Occurrence-based unless a higher-confidence source is shown — see it per-species in the app.
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Skagit River fishing — FAQ
Can you fish the Skagit River?
Yes — the Skagit River in Washington has public access (extensive public bank access). Open the guide to see the public access, launches, and current regulations.
Do you need a license to fish the Skagit River?
Yes — Washington requires a valid fishing license for most fishing. The current official state regulations are linked on this page.
What fish are in the Skagit River?
Species recorded in the Skagit River include Pink Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon. The full list is on this page.
Where can you access the Skagit River?
Access points include Newhalem Creek Campground, Baker River Boat Launch, Sedro-Woolley Boat Launch. See every launch and access site on this page.
Get detailed fishing conditions for the Skagit River on your phone
The full access map, live conditions, and an agent you can just ask — on your iPhone.
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