Low returns of wild steelhead trout at Olympic National Park prompt sport fishing pause in Queets River

PORT ANGELES, Wash. - Due to the low forecasted return of wild steelhead trout, the Queets River will temporarily close to sport fishing on Dec. 16. Anglers can continue to catch hatchery steelhead in the Salmon River through Feb. 28. The Queets River is expected to reopen to recreational angling on June 1.

The forecasted return of wild steelhead is below the management goal. Given anticipated commercial and sport fishing impacts and the long-term declines in total run size and escapement, this temporary closure is necessary to maintain the Queets River wild steelhead population.

In recent years, wild steelhead in this river have experienced long-term declines in annual run sizes and low escapements. This is where fish successfully "escape" fisheries and return to their native freshwater to spawn. Over the last eight years, wild steelhead have failed to reach the Washington state and National Park Service escapement goal of 4,200 fish. The recent status review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA Fisheries, determined that Olympic Peninsula steelhead are at moderate risk of extinction.

Fisheries within Olympic National Park are managed to provide diverse fishing opportunities, allow for the harvest of hatchery steel head, and preserve wild salmonid populations. For current fishing regulations throughout park waters, visit: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm