WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Anglers will have fewer opportunities to fish the Nooksack River this winter as a recent closure from the state has been announced.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says steelhead fishing has closed on all forks of the Nooksack starting on Monday, Dec. 1.

All fishing on the river will also be closed during the month of January.

WDFW says the hatchery steelhead forecast is on track to fall well below its spawning goal following another short season in 2024. The goal was for 160 broodstock to return, but now WDFW is forecasting an expected 41 fish.

The department says that goal needs to be met in order for it to offer opportunities for sport fishing in the future. According to the WDFW website, steelhead have a moderate-high sensitivity to climate change impacting the Puget Sound.

Meanwhile, the north fork, south fork and mainstem of the Nooksack River are still open for coho fishing through the end of the year.