Nooksack River, North Fork Fishing Regulations
Whatcom County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Nooksack River, North Fork is a river in Whatcom County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 18 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 3 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Nooksack River, North Fork
Fish with special rules on Nooksack River, North Fork
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Nooksack River, North Fork limits by species (2026)
From Hwy. 9 to Maple Creek
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30, Nov 1 – Nov 30 |
 Atlantic Salmon | 12" min | 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 14, Oct 15 – Nov 30 |
 Brook Trout | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
 Brown Trout | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
 Chinook Salmon | 12" min | 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 14, Oct 15 – Nov 30 |
 Chum Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Oct 1 – Oct 14, Oct 15 – Nov 30 |
 Coho Salmon | 12" min | 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 14, Oct 15 – Nov 30 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
| – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |
 Golden Trout | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 · Closed |
 Lake Trout | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
| Other Game Fish | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
 Pink Salmon | 12" min | 4 | Oct 15 – Nov 30, Oct 1 – Oct 14 |
| – | Catch & release only | Oct 15 – Nov 30, Oct 1 – Oct 14 | |
 Rainbow Trout | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
 Sockeye Salmon | 12" min | 4 | Oct 15 – Nov 30, Oct 1 – Oct 14 |
 Steelhead | – | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
| Wild Chinook SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Oct 1 – Oct 14 |
| Wild Coho SalmonWild fish only | – | 2 | Oct 15 – Nov 30, Oct 1 – Oct 14 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | 14" min | – | Oct 1 – Nov 30 |
From Maple Creek to Nooksack Falls
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesBarbless; Single Point Hook; No Bait | – | – | Year-round |
| – | – | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 | |
| Brook Trout | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Brown Trout | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| 14" min | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 | |
| Golden Trout | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Other Game Fish | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Steelhead | – | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | 14" min | – | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jan 31 |
From mouth to Hwy. 9 Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Nooksack River, North Fork trip
Nooksack River, North Fork fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Nooksack River, North Fork?
18 species have rules specific to Nooksack River, North Fork: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Other Game Fish, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead, and 10 more.
What is the brook trout limit on Nooksack River, North Fork?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on Nooksack River, North Fork (from Hwy. 9 to Maple Creek). Season: Oct 1 – Nov 30. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on Nooksack River, North Fork?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on Nooksack River, North Fork (from Hwy. 9 to Maple Creek). Season: Oct 1 – Nov 30. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Nooksack River, North Fork?
Cutthroat Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Nooksack River, North Fork (from Hwy. 9 to Maple Creek). Season: Oct 1 – Nov 30. Limits change during the year. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
Is Nooksack River, North Fork catch and release?
Some rules on Nooksack River, North Fork are catch and release only, covering Chum Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Wild Chinook Salmon. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Nooksack River, North Fork?
Where Nooksack River, North Fork has its own rule for a species, that rule replaces the statewide limit. For species not listed on this page, Washington's statewide regulations apply. Regulations are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; confirm with the official 2026 regulations before keeping a fish.
Other Washington waters with special regulations
- Yakima River · Benton
- Columbia River
- Wind River · Skamania
- Drano Lake · Skamania
- Naselle River · Pacific
- Roosevelt Lake · Ferry/Grant/Lincoln/Okanogan/Stevens
- Cowlitz River · Cowlitz/Lewis
- Green River · Duwamish
- Grays River · Wahkiakum
- Nisqually River · Pierce/Thurston
- Nooksack River · Whatcom
- Humptulips River · Grays Harbor
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