Washington
Skagit River near Newhalem
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.
Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.
Cautions
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Blocking Factors
- Configured water observations are currently unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Latest current reading
- Not available
Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 12178000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Mostly clear
Temperature
58°F
Feels like
55°F
Wind
4 mph W
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.02 in
Last 24 hours
0.04 in
Last 48 hours
0.04 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 1 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 5 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 58°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 9 AM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 1 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 75°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 5 PM
Rain
Temp 64°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.10 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 9 PM
Overcast
Temp 59°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Rain
High 76°F / Low 57°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.12 in
Max gust 32 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 57°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 72°F / Low 53°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 6 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 52°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 5 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Skagit River near Newhalem, Washington. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 12178000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Skagit River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Skagit near Newhalem is the upper Skagit fishing reach below the Skagit Project dams. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 12178000 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Skykomish near Gold Bar and from the lower Skagit estuary. Steelhead and salmon are WDFW catch-record fisheries. Resident rainbow trout are the honest selector primary. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDFW upper Skagit trout. USGS 12178000 Newhalem. Distinct from Skykomish 12134500. Anadromous steelhead require a current WDFW catch record card when fishing for them and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current seasons on official WDFW rules. Bull trout / Dolly Varden are listed or catch-and-release-only on many Washington waters and are not a selector ID.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
WDFW Skagit Chinook is season-managed. Confirm current notices. Not a Skykomish identity.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
North Cascades regulated Skagit reach near Newhalem, Whatcom County, below Gorge Dam and above the middle Skagit valley.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by WDFW North Puget Sound / Skagit access and Highway 20 corridors. Catalog coordinates are USGS 12178000. This pin is not Skykomish 12134500.
Stocking information
WDFW and Seattle City Light cooperating programs manage Skagit salmon, steelhead, and trout. Confirm current official stocking separately.
Official sources
WDFW Skagit section rules, catch record cards, and listed-fish protections change. Anadromous steelhead require a current WDFW catch record card when fishing for them and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current seasons on official WDFW rules. Bull trout / Dolly Varden are listed or catch-and-release-only on many Washington waters and are not a selector ID. Distinct from Skykomish 12134500. Confirm current WDFW rules.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Whatcom, Washington
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Whatcom
Management Category
Anadromous and resident salmonid river
Regulation Scope
Skagit River near Newhalem
Regulation Summary
Skagit near Newhalem: WDFW Skagit River rules. Confirm current Fishing Regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, chinook-salmon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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