Conditions described here were accurate only as of the date shown and may have changed. This is not a substitute for current official information from the agency with jurisdiction. See the full notice. Full notice.
Hoh and Quillayute Watersheds Close to All Fishing Monday
The Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey and Hoh close October 19, until further notice, as coho runs come in low.
Washington Fish and Wildlife is closing the Hoh and Quillayute river systems to all fishing starting Monday, October 19, until further notice. The rule covers the Quillayute River itself, which reopened with reduced limits only on October 6, and every major river feeding it: the Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah including both forks, and Dickey, plus the Hoh and South Fork Hoh outside Olympic National Park, and tributaries including Bear, Beaver, Sitkum and Thunder creeks.
The reason is the same one that closed the neighboring Clearwater on October 16. Coho catches in both basins are running well below expectations, suggesting returns below the preseason forecast, and a dry summer left rivers low enough that Chinook and coho have been holding in the lower rivers instead of moving up to spawn. Recent rain has helped some fish move, but managers remain concerned about how many will reach the spawning grounds.
The department says it may reopen the rivers if conditions improve. Waters inside Olympic National Park follow the park's own fishing rules.
Sources