Icicle River will not open for spring Chinook fishing in 2026

LEAVENWORTH — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the Icicle River will not open for spring Chinook fishing in 2026, citing the timing of the fish run and successful broodstock collection efforts at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.

According to WDFW, current information indicates that most of the spring Chinook returning to the Icicle River have already migrated through the traditional fishing boundary.

As of June 4, 1,240 of the approximately 1,630 Chinook forecasted to return to the river had been collected in broodstock ponds at the hatchery. WDFW said hundreds of additional Chinook have been observed in the spillway pool adjacent to the facility.

The agency also reported that the run appears to have concluded, noting there have been no recent Passive Integrated Transponder, or PIT, tag detections at Rock Island Dam or other downstream dams that would indicate additional fish are moving upstream.

“Spring Chinook typically migrate through the Icicle River quickly, especially under low and clear water conditions. Fishing success depends on opening the river at a time that coincides with active migration,” said Chad Jackson, WDFW North Central Washington Fish Program manager. “It is unfortunate we were not able to open this fishery in 2026.”

WDFW issued a rule change May 27 announcing a spring Chinook season opener for May 31. The agency postponed the opening May 29 because of concerns related to infrastructure challenges at the hatchery, temporary water systems used for broodstock collection, lower-than-expected returns and potential impacts of harvest on broodstock collection efforts.

The Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery has since met its broodstock collection targets, ensuring egg-take and smolt-release goals will be achieved, according to WDFW. The agency said meeting those conservation objectives leaves no opportunity to conduct a recreational fishery on the Icicle River this season.

WDFW said it continues to manage fisheries while balancing conservation needs and recreational opportunities.