WDFW closes Satsop River to fishing Sept. 16–30 after early salmon targeting

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife closed the Satsop River in Grays Harbor County from the mouth to the Bingham Creek Hatchery dam Sept. 16–30, 2026. The emergency rule covers all fishing on that stretch, including Catch Record Code 329A — the 400 feet below the dam to the dam. Species named: game fish. The salmon opener on this water is still planned for Oct. 1.

Enforcement patrols found disorderly fishing and anglers targeting salmon before that opener. Low basin flows are slowing migration and leaving fish more vulnerable than a normal September. Preseason planning already baked in some incidental Chinook mortality during the September gamefish season. It did not bake in the extra kill from people fishing salmon under these low flows. Natural-origin Chinook, WDFW says, need extra protection now.

The point of the close is to stop more Chinook impacts in September and keep those impacts for the coho-directed fishery that starts in October. This is a Satsop river close, not the East Grays Harbor in-bay salmon flip already on the desk. Coastal Region: 360-249-4628. Sign up for Fishing Rule Change emails, check the emergency-rules list, and use the Fish Washington app before you wet a line.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: WDFW — Satsop River temporarily closes to fishing through Sept. 30 (emergency rule, Sept. 15, 2026). Also: The Daily World — Satsop River temporarily closed to fishing through Sept. 30 (Sept. 16, 2026, citing WDFW).