Fishing Rule Change Closes The Nooksack River to Fishing

Whatcom County, WA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has closed the Nooksack River and all forks to fishing until further notice, effective January 1st, 2017.

According to a release from the WDFW, the closure affects all species of fish and includes the following locations:

• The Nooksack River from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South Forks.
• The North Fork Nooksack, from the mouth to Nooksack Falls
• The Middle Fork Nooksack, from the mouth to the City of Bellingham diversion dam.
• The South Fork Nooksack, from the mouth to Skookum Creek.

The reason for the action is the Kendall Creek Hatchery is expecting a very low return of hatchery winter steelhead this year as there were no hatchery releases of smolt  in 2014 or 2015.

Anyone with questions should refer them to the Mill Creek Regional Officer at (425) 775-1311.