Steelhead runs in Olympic National Park are lower than expected, leading to a fisheries closure/NOAA

Low numbers of steelhead trout entering river systems in Olympic National Park in Washington state have led to a closure of those rivers to fishing through the month of May.

Beginning March 1 fishing in the Hoh, South Fork Hoh, Bogachiel, Dickey, and Quillayute river systems within the park will be closed through May 31. This closure is in response to information provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that indicates that wild steelhead runs are returning in numbers much lower than anticipated.

Unlike salmon, which die after spawning, steelhead spawn on average two or three times throughout their adult life, according to park staff. Both summer and winter runs of steelhead have declined in recent years, with the winter-run “steelies” remaining relatively healthy in the rivers of Olympic National Park. These winter runs are found in a great deal of the main stem rivers, side channels, and tributaries.

Summer runs have extensive ranges, swimming to the far reaches of the Hoh, Quinault, and Queets Rivers, and historically, the Elwha River.

Both summer and winter-run steelheads spawn in the spring. Summer-runs migrate to freshwater before their reproductive organs are fully developed, while winter-run steelhead do all their maturing at sea. Steelhead redds can be seen near the Hoh, Sol Duc, and Queets campgrounds during May and June.

A complete closure of recreational fisheries is warranted due to their declining trends and to eliminate the hooking of wild steelhead. These regulation changes to recreational fishing are being implemented in cooperation with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Fishing in many rivers, streams, and Lake Crescent within the park is expected to reopen on June 1, 2022.