...for those of you "old timers" that may have any memories of the once, pretty decent steelheading in the Sammamish, here's an update on current status. Looks like we should have sniped some of those sea lions...thx to anybody that tried. This could have been a good "close-in" metro area fishery. Assume the situation the same for the once great Cedar River too...sad deal! Of course sea lions not all to blame, but...


The Sammamish River received annual releases of hatchery Steelhead smolts through 1993. The decision to discontinue releases was made in part because of the presence of sea lions at the Ballard Locks. It seemed that we were just feeding the sea lions with little benefit to sports anglers. The fishery for Steelhead on the Sammamish was targeting the hatchery returns and when releases were discontinued the seasons were closed. The WDFW supplemented the wild run of Steelhead in Issaquah and Bear Creeks in the late 1990's with very limited success. At this time, I expect the Sammamish River to remain closed to Steelhead fishing for several years.

Steve Foley
District Fish Biologist
Region 4 Mill Creek Office