ACME, WA. – (KGMI.com) Fishing on the North Fork and South Fork Nooksack River is closing early for the season.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closures on Friday, December 22nd, due to dangers to the steelhead population.

The North Fork from the Highway 9 Bridge to Maple Creek will be closed to all fishing from February 1st through February 15th, 2024.

The South Fork from its mouth to Skookum Creek will be closed January 1st through January 31st.

Fish and Wildlife says there has been a substantial increase in angler effort on the Nooksack in spots where wild steelhead exist.

The department says the early closures are necessary to minimize impacts on the steelhead population.