![]() NPS photo by Josh Geffre.
Fishing in Olympic National Park Olympic National Park protects over 75 miles of Pacific Coast, 600 lakes, and 4,000 miles of rivers and streams that support some of the most extensive runs of wild salmon, trout, and char remaining in the Pacific Northwest. Through the management of fish and aquatic environments, the park works to preserve and restore native fishes and their habitats and provide recreational fishing opportunities for the enjoyment of park visitors. Fisheries biologists work with the State of Washington and eight treaty tribes each year to establish harvest and gear regulations. Fish and Shellfish RegulationsBefore you go fishing in Olympic National Park review the current fishing and shellfish regulations and check bulletin boards for locally posted regulation changes.
ALERT - In- Season Fishing Regulation Changes
|
Zone |
Drainages (Area) |
Season |
Gear |
Daily Limit |
1 |
All beaver ponds, streams, and rivers not listed on this chart. Includes: Dosewallips, Duckabush, Graywolf, North Fork Sol Duc, Sol Duc, South Fork Calawah, Quinault (East Fork, North Fork, and mainstem above upper bridge) |
Jun 1–Oct 31, 2020 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained |
Elwha |
CLOSED |
|||
2 |
Skokomish River, North Fork |
Jun 1–Sep 15, 2020 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook |
Catch-and-release |
3 |
Quinault River, upper bridge downstream to park boundary |
Jun 1, 2019—Mar 31, 2021 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained |
4 |
Queets River, mainstem, below AND above |
Jun 1–Aug 31, 2020 |
Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained. |
Sep 1-30, 2020 |
BELOW HARTZELL: Bait allowed. One barbless hook with up to three points. ABOVE HARTZELL: Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release for all species except: |
||
Oct 1-Nov 30, 2020 |
Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook |
Catch-and-release except one hatchery, adipose clipped Chinook may be retained. |
||
Dec 1, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021 |
Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook |
Catch-and-release for all species except: |
||
Feb 1- May 31, 2021 |
CLOSED TO RECREATIONAL FISHING |
CLOSED TO RECREATIONAL FISHING |
||
Salmon River |
Jun 1–Aug 31, 2020 |
Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained. |
|
Sep 1-30, 2020 |
Bait allowed. One barbless hook with up to three points. |
Catch-and-release for all species except: |
||
Oct 1-Nov 30, 2020 |
Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release except one hatchery, adipose clipped Chinook may be retained. |
||
Dec 1, 2020-Feb 28, 2021 |
Artificial lure with a barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release for all species except: |
||
5 |
Hoh River and South Fork Hoh River |
Sep 16, 2020-Apr 15, 2021 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook. Fly fishing 1/4 mile below Hoh Campground to Boat Launch above South Fork Hoh confluence |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose-clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained |
6 |
Bogachiel River |
Jun 1, 2020-Apr 15, 2021 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose-clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained |
7 |
Ozette River |
Aug 1, 2020–Feb 28, 2021 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook. |
Catch-and-release except 2 adipose-clipped hatchery steelhead may be retained |
8 |
Dickey River Mouth (Updated 1/11/21) |
Jun 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021 |
Identical to State regulations. See State gear regulations for this river from the park boundary upstream to the confluence of the East and West Forks |
Release all wild steelhead, salmon, and trout regardless of size. |
Hoh River Mouth (Updated 1/11/21) |
Sep 16, 2020- March 31, 2021 |
Identical to State regulations. See State gear regulations for this river from the park boundary upstream to Dept. of Natural Resources Oxbow Campground boat launch |
Release all wild steelhead, salmon, and trout regardless if size. |
|
Quillayute River (Updated 1/11/21) |
Open through March 31, 2021 |
Identical to State regulations. See State gear regulations for this river from the park boundary upstream to the confluences of the Sol Duc & Bogachiel Rivers. |
Release all wild steelhead, salmon, and trout regardless of size. See State regulations for daily limits of hatchery salmon and steelhead from the park boundary upstream to the confluences of the Sol Duc and Bogachiel Rivers. |
|
9 |
Cedar, Goodman, Kalaloch, and Mosquito Creeks (Pacific Coastal Area) |
Jun 1, 2020–Feb 28, 2021 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook. |
Catch & release Can retain 2 hatchery steelhead |
A |
Lake Ozette |
Last Saturday in April—October 31, 2020 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook. |
Catch & release, EXCEPT no daily, size, or possession limits for yellow perch, largemouth bass, pikeminnow, and bullhead. See Fish Consumption Advisory, page 6, item 4 |
B |
Lake Crescent |
Jun 1-Oct 31, 2020 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook.; 2 ounce weight restriction |
Catch & release |
|
High elevation lakes (above 1300 ft) |
Last Saturday in April—October 31, 2020 |
Bait, treble, and barbed hooks allowed |
A combined total of 5 rainbow and/or cutthroat trout, no minimum size limit. |
|
Irely Lake |
Last Saturday in April—October 31, 2020 |
Artificial lure, barbless single point hook. |
Catch & release |
- A Washington State Recreational Fishing License is NOT REQUIRED to fish in Olympic National Park EXCEPT when fishing in the Pacific Ocean from shore. No license is required to harvest surf smelt.
- A Washington State catch record card is REQUIRED for adults and children if fishing for salmon or steelhead. A catch record card specific to waters in Olympic National Park is available from Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife license dealers at no cost. Salmon or steelhead that are caught and released do not need to be recorded. The catch record card requires a location code for each retained fish.
- A Washington State Shellfish/Seaweed license is REQUIRED for harvest of shellfish from the Pacific Coastal Area. Harvest of seaweed, kelp, and unclassified species is prohibited (see Marine Fish and Shellfish Seasons and Limits).

Last updated: January 12, 2021