Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers reopen for fishing this week

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The Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers have been reopened to fishing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced last week.

The rivers were reopened starting Sept. 22, and all fish species are affected.

The opening of fisheries on the Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers were delayed to protect wild summer coho expected to return at an abundance of less than 300 adults, agency officials noted. 

The Quillayute watershed has been experiencing record low flows and increased caution was needed to reduce impact from fisheries as coho stage in the lower river. Officials said rain in the forecast over the weekend and river levels were expected to rise enough to draw coho upriver from staging areas in the lower river.

The Quillayute River is open from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of Bogachiel and Sol Duc rivers.

Sol Duc River is open from the river’s mouth to the Olympic National Park boundary. 

The Quileute Tribe has also reopened fisheries. 

Anglers should note the Quillayute River is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in September to avoid gear conflicts with tribal net fisheries. The tribe will also be fishing in the Quillayute River on Wednesdays in September. Fishers should see the 2020-21 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional rules or visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations and continue to check for emergency regulations in the affected area.