Travel & Places Fly Fishing

Fishing Guide for Salmon in Rivers in Bellingham, Washington

By Travel & Places Last updated Tuesday, April/16/2024

Statewide Regulations

In Washington rivers statewide, only two salmon can be caught per day, including Atlantic, Chinook and coho salmon. Only salmon with a minimum size limit of 8 inches can be retained.

As of the 2010-2011 fishing season, in Dakota Creek from the mouth to the Giles Road Bridge, salmon can be caught from October 1 through December 31 and are limited to two per day with a minimum size of 12 inches.

On Whatcom Creek from the mouth of the creek to the yellow markers below Dupont Street foot bridge, salmon can be caught from August 1 through December 31 and are limited to six per day, including a maximum of two adults and a minimum size of 12 inches.

On the Nooksack River, from the Lummi Indian Reservation to the yellow marker at FFA High School, salmon can be caught from September 1 through December 31. For areas from the FFA High School to the North and South River forks, salmon season ends the same day but starts a month later on October 1. The salmon season runs from October 1 through November 30 for the north fork from the mouth of the river to Maple Creek. From the South Fork mouth to the Saxon Road Bridge area and from Saxon Road to Skookum Creek, the salmon season runs from October 1 through December 31. For all areas of the Nooksack River, seasonal salmon fishing is limited to two salmon per day plus an additional two hatchery coho. All wild coho and chinook must be released in these areas, and chum salmon must additionally be released in the south fork areas.

From the mouth of the Samish River to the Thomas Road Bridge, the salmon season runs from July 1 through December 31, and from the Thomas Road to the I-5 Bridge, salmon can be caught from October 1 through December 31. Salmon is limited to two per day on the Samish River, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches. All wild coho must be released.

For all Bellingham salmon fishers over the age of 15, a fishing license is required and can be obtained on the Washington Department of Natural Resources website. For all salmon anglers, including those under the age of 15, a free catch record card is required and must be filled out and returned to the Washington Department of Natural Resources.