A Drought That Reaches the Rivers
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is closing fishing on a long list of western Washington rivers, citing near-historic low flows and weak coho returns. In a news release dated October 21, 2026, WDFW said closures begin Saturday, October 24 on the Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor river systems, including the Chehalis, Humptulips, Willapa and Naselle rivers. The Moclips and Copalis rivers on the coast also close that day, along with marine areas 2-1 and 2-2, excluding the Ocean Shores and Westport boat basins.
The closures follow others earlier in the month, and together they cover much of the coast between the Olympic Peninsula and southwest Washington.
Already Closed, Still Open
The Snohomish River and several other North Puget Sound rivers closed earlier in October. WDFW closed the Snohomish from October 3 to November 1, saying coho fisheries had exceeded preseason expectations in some areas but not in the terminal marine and freshwater areas of the lower river, and that low water could be interfering with migration. The Hoh, Quillayute and Clearwater rivers have also had recent closures, according to WDFW's emergency rules page.
One river remains open: the Dungeness River on the North Olympic Peninsula opened to salmon and game fish angling on Friday, October 23, as scheduled. The salmon retention limit there is reduced to two hatchery coho.
Why the Rivers Are Closing
WDFW cites drought and low water after minimal precipitation over the summer and early fall, and coho returns running well below pre-season forecasts across many rivers. The release gave no specific return counts. The Washington Department of Ecology declared a statewide drought in April 2026, and as of mid-October severe drought conditions persist in most counties. WDFW had warned in April that low water could hurt freshwater fisheries and salmon migration in late summer and early fall.
Chad Herring, WDFW's Coastal Region Fish Program manager, put the concern directly: "Drought conditions are impacting salmon migrations and causing serious conservation concerns." Herring said the department is closing recreational fishing on several major rivers until flows increase or salmon monitoring shows fish are migrating upstream successfully.
What Low Water Does to Salmon
Low, warm, shallow water makes it harder for salmon to reach spawning grounds. Fish stack up in the few deeper pools that remain, where stress is higher and fishing pressure is concentrated. A river that anglers can reach easily can lose a large share of a weak run to harvest and handling in a few days. Closing the water takes that pressure off while the fish wait for rain.
Coho, in particular, usually time their entry to rivers with the first fall rains. When the rains are late, fish hold in estuaries and lower river reaches, where they are vulnerable. That is why the closures include the marine areas at the river mouths as well as the rivers themselves.
Tribal Fisheries Are Affected Too
WDFW and treaty tribes have discussed the low river conditions and weak coho returns. Several tribal co-managers significantly reduced proposed fall fisheries during the North of Falcon process, including closing fall fishing. The state and tribes manage these runs together, so reductions on both sides show how seriously managers are taking the numbers.
A Pattern, Not a First
This is not the first time drought has forced closures on the coast. A 2022 report described state and national park managers closing salmon fishing on much of the Washington coast in early October as rivers dropped to record lows for the time of year. In 2015, drought-related closures covered nearly 60 rivers and streams after a low-snowpack winter. The current closures fit a recurring pattern in which dry summers and falls push managers to protect the fish first.
When Will They Reopen?
The closures are not necessarily permanent. WDFW will keep evaluating river conditions and salmon movement, and fisheries can reopen if conditions improve. Past closures on the coast have reopened in phases once rain arrived and monitoring showed fish moving upstream. Closures last until flows increase or monitoring shows fish are successfully reaching spawning areas.
What Anglers Should Do
Before any trip, check WDFW's emergency rules page and the Fish Washington app, because status can change within days. Anglers affected by the closures may want to look at rivers that remain open, but they should expect reduced limits and keep an eye on flows, since the same drought applies across much of the region.
The practical steps are simple: confirm a river's status the morning you fish, keep an offline copy of the rule if you are heading somewhere with no signal, and avoid fishing closed water even if it looks fishable. A closed river is closed for the fish, and rain is what will reopen it.
