Hatchery coho are in the North Fork and up to the hatchery, but the run is virtually over and fishing has been slow. Anglers are reminded that there is NO RETENTION of wild coho in the Nehalem basin this year; only adipose fin-clipped coho may be retained. The first hatchery winter steelhead of the season was reported last week. Very few fish are present, but the next shot of rain should bring a few more into the river.

Due to a poor return of Chinook salmon, and conservation concerns about meeting spawning escapement goals, emergency regulation changes took effect for coastal rivers in the NW Zone on Nov. 1, 2018. As a result the North Fork Nehalem is closed to Chinook fishing.