Rivers in King County
Beckler River
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Cedar River
Cedar River Watershed
Cedar River Basin Map
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Foss River
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Green River
This popular metropolitan-area river provides good angling for both summer and winter steelhead, chum, chinook and coho salmon, sea-run cutthroat, and whitefish. Check the regulations pamphlet for special seasons.
Green River Gorge Pic's
Green River Basin Map
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Greenwater River
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Miller River
Miller River: Anadromous fish and mountain whitefish have access to the West Fork and about 2-1/2 miles of the East Fork. Cutthroat and rainbow trout range from 6 to 9 inches where suitable pool habitat exists in this typically high-gradient river system.
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Pratt River
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Raging River
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Sammamish River
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Skykomish River
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Snoqualmie River
Snoqualmie River, Mainstem above the falls: Look for good-to-excellent dry fly action for some rainbows, but mainly for native cutthroat up to 18 inches, between Snoqualmie Falls and the North and Middle Fork junctures. Best on evening hatches after mid-July. Selective gear rules are in effect at all times, with a two-fish harvest limit and 10-inch minimum size during the June 1 to October 31 season, and catch-and-release only during the special November 1 through May 31 season.
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Snoqualmie River (middle Fork)
Snoqualmie River, Middle Fork: The upper reaches of this fork's valley can be an angler's paradise. Catch-and-release, selective gear rules in effect during the year-round season are designed to protect all ages and sizes of wild cutthroat and rainbows in the Middle Fork proper and all its tributaries (including Pratt and Taylor rivers). Cutthroat to 16 inches can be found in the lower few miles, while a mixture of cutthroat and rainbows averaging 7 to 10 inches abound in the middle and upper reaches of the stream. Road access gives way to riverside trails as you enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Trout to 12 inches can be found in most deeper pools in the upper valley, where the crystal-clear, freestone stream is bounded by snow-capped peaks skirted with old-growth conifers. In the lower reaches where roads parallel the stream, expect much better fishing by walking upstream or downstream a fourth of a mile from points of easy access. Hike the old Taylor River Road (now reverted to trail), which parallels the Taylor, for cutthroat and rainbows in the 6- to 9-inch class. Ford the Middle Fork to access the Pratt River. The Pratt River valley offers a semi-wilderness experience, with no roads and little in the way of trails. Cutthroat predominate here, but rainbows also occur up to 11 inches in the deeper pools. Mountain whitefish are found in the lower few miles of the Middle Fork.
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Snoqualmie River (North Fork)
Snoqualmie River, North Fork: At least three distinctive zones can be described for this fine trout stream. A deeply-incised, high-gradient reach known locally as the "Black Canyon" ends about 2-1/2 miles upstream from the confluence with the Middle Fork. Cutthroat and rainbows attain large size in this difficult-to-access stretch of canyons and deep pools. Fine fly and spin fishing also exists in the middle reach of about four miles between Calligan Creek and the Spur 10 concrete bridge. Very deep pools have developed in this area where the river has cut into the bedrock. Look for scattered pockets of eastern brook trout in the upper reaches of the river where it meanders across a very low-gradient lake bed. Cutthroat and brookies in this upper stretch average 6 to 9 inches. A 10-inch minimum size limit, two-fish harvest limit applies throughout the North Fork during the June 1 through October 31 regular season, with an extended catch-and-release only season from November 1 through May 31. Selective gear rules are in effect at all times.
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Snoqualmie River (South Fork)
Snoqualmie River, South Fork: Access to the South Fork is generally excellent, since it is paralleled by I-90 for much of its length, and flows through North Bend. Extensive reaches of the lower South Fork have been channelized and diked for flood control. Small 6- to 9-inch rainbows predominate in this stretch of river, due to lack of deep pools. Look for rainbows up to 14 inches or larger in the less-fished reach between Twin Falls (Olallie State Park) and 436th Avenue SE. Although cutthroat and rainbows can be found in fair abundance up to the South Fork's headwaters at Source Lake near Snoqualmie Pass, most fish in the upper river where it is paralleled by I-90 are small due to a combination of limited holding water and low productivity. A few mountain whitefish are found in the nine miles below Twin Falls. A 10-inch minimum size limit, two-fish harvest limit applies throughout the South Fork during the June 1 through October 31 regular season, with an extended catch-and-release only season from November 1 through May 31. Selective gear rules are in effect at all times.
Snoqualmie River Photo's
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Taylor River
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Tolt River
Tolt River: Surprisingly good numbers of resident rainbows, as well as cutthroat, are found in the Tolt's upper reaches, near the forks. Expect very good fishing for trout 12 inches and larger, but keep in mind the 14-inch minimum size, two-fish harvest limit below the forks. Selective gear rules are in effect from June 1 through November 30; check the regulations pamphlet for complete season information and special area closure.
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Tolt River (North Fork)
Tolt River, North Fork above Yellow Creek: Rainbow trout to 12 inches are found in this fork above the mouth of Yellow Creek (near a 60-foot barrier falls). Catch-and-release, selective gear rules are in effect during the year-round open season. Access is by way of Weyerhaeuser roads; vehicular access to the tree farm requires purchase of an annual access permit (call 1-800-433-3911).
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Tye River
Tye River, from the Foss River mouth to Alpine Falls: Anadromous fish are blocked by Alpine Falls; look for 6- to 9-inch rainbow, cutthroat or eastern brook above that point. Access is best along the Old Stevens Pass Highway segment near Scenic, but the river can be waded for extensive distances during lower flows. Selective gear rules and a 14-inch minimum size limit are in effect during the June 1 to October 31 regular season. A special whitefish-only season runs from November 1 through February; bait can be used during this special winter season.
Tye River, above Alpine Falls: Smaller "resident" trout and char can be taken on bait, lures or flies in the upper Tye River during the June 1 through October 31 season. Access is safest off of the old Stevens Pass Highway. Note, however, that this route can not be driven clear through, as a footbridge has replaced the old auto bridge roughly one mile from the old road's southern end.
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