Fishing Season: Closed as of 1/31/2022

Skagit River - WA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

40

Orvis Seattle's Tip of the Week

Bull trout and potential early winter Steelhead are your options right now. Swing flies and see what you find!

Directions open in app

Map of Skagit River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

There are no endorsed guides on the river

5-Day Outlook as of 1/29/25

Sunny days and cold nights can make for potentially difficult fishing conditions. Try bright colors on bright days. Swing real slow. Some precip in the forecast should help conditions.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/29/25

Swing large streamers on sink tip lines for salmon and steelhead and sometimes bi-catch trout. Trout nymphs, trout streamers can work great for rainbows and bull trout!

Local Species Available Closed as of 1/31/2022

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    Steelhead

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    Rainbow trout

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    Bull trout

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    Dolly Varden's

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    Salmon

Orvis Seattle's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Muddler Minnow white 4
Tungsten Cone Head Woolly Bugger olive 4
Freshwater Clouser olive 4
Mike's Meal Ticket white 4
Muddler Minnow red 4
Micro Egg red 12

Muddler Minnow

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Item #0655

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Orvis Seattle's Recommended Gear

Description: About Skagit River

The Skagit River is the major north Puget Sound winter steelhead river located 2-3 hours north of Seattle. It is a prime winter steelhead river with fish over 20 pounds the quest. There is also a coho salmon fishery in October, a chum salmon run in November as well as pink salmon every odd-numbered year. Hatchery fish enter the river in November and are followed by late wild fish March through April. There is a healthy population of bull trout in the upper stretches. The river has flow controlled by Hydro dams upstream as well as on on the Baker River in the town of Concrete. The mean flow is 5500 cfs and has fluctuations up and down during the winter days according to the the heating demands of the City of Seattle. This does not seem to affect the fishing. Hatches are not relevant to the catching of winter steelhead.

Nearest Airport:

Arlington Regional Airport

Hatches:

White streamers are great for bull trout and rainbow trout. Common hatches can also be effective on trout. Egg patterns work well for trout now that salmon are in the system.

Best Time to Fish:

Mid-Day

Best Stretch:

Above Concrete

Best Access:

Pull outs on Hwy 20 or South Skagit Highway or boat launches