News Release

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

Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, Wash.– Due to the low forecasted return of wild steelhead, the Queets River will temporarily close to sport fishing on December 16, 2024. Anglers can continue to catch hatchery steelhead in the Salmon River through February 28, 2025. The Queets River is expected to reopen to recreational angling on June 1, 2025. 

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 wild steelhead population.   

Queets wild steelhead have experienced long-term declines in annual run sizes and low escapements in recent years. Wild steelhead have failed to reach the Washington state and National Park Service escapement goal of 4,200 fish in each of the last eight years. The recent status review by 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 steelhead, and preserve wild salmonid populations. For current fishing regulations throughout park waters, visit: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm