Washington
Skykomish River near Gold Bar
Current River Rating
Fair · 67
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 474 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.34 ft
- Water Temperature
- 58.8 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 12134500 · 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
Overcast
Temperature
57°F
Feels like
54°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
0.01 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
Overcast
Temp 56°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 5 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 9 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 1 PM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 5 PM
Overcast
Temp 65°F
Chance 51%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 9 PM
Overcast
Temp 59°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 72°F / Low 53°F
Chance 52%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 50°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 68°F / Low 52°F
Chance 18%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 54°F
Chance 3%
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
Skykomish River near Gold Bar, Washington. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 12134500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Skykomish 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 Skykomish near Gold Bar is the Puget Sound Skykomish fishing reach in Snohomish County before the Snohomish confluence. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 12134500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from the Snoqualmie and from Skagit near Newhalem. Winter 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 Puget Sound Skykomish trout. USGS 12134500 Gold Bar. Coastal cutthroat trout are documented on several Olympic / Puget Sound rivers and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. 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.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
WDFW Skykomish Chinook is season-managed. Confirm current notices. Not a Skagit identity.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Cascade-fed Puget Sound river near Gold Bar, Snohomish County, upstream of the Skykomish / Snoqualmie confluence.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by WDFW Puget Sound / Snohomish Skykomish access and Highway 2 corridors. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point. This pin is not Snoqualmie Falls or Skagit Newhalem.
Stocking information
WDFW manages Skykomish salmon, steelhead, and trout with hatchery and wild components. Confirm current official stocking separately.
Official sources
WDFW Puget Sound Skykomish section rules, catch record cards, and in-season closures 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. Coastal cutthroat trout are documented on several Olympic / Puget Sound rivers and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Distinct from Skagit 12178000. 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
Snohomish, 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
Snohomish
Management Category
Anadromous and resident salmonid river
Regulation Scope
Skykomish River near Gold Bar
Regulation Summary
Skykomish near Gold Bar: WDFW Puget Sound Skykomish River rules. Confirm current Fishing Regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, chinook-salmon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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