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Home › Waters › Washington › Bogachiel River
River · Western Olympic Peninsula of Washington in Clallam and Jefferson counties, running west from Olympic National Park past Forks to the Quillayute system · Washington

Bogachiel River Fishing Guides

One of the classic Olympic Peninsula steelhead rivers, running out of the national park past Forks and joining the Sol Duc to form the Quillayute.

Gauge location. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Guides on the Bogachiel River

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About the Bogachiel River

The Bogachiel rises in the western Olympic Mountains inside Olympic National Park, runs west through rainforest and second-growth timber past the town of Forks, and joins the Sol Duc a few miles downstream to form the Quillayute. It is one of the small handful of rivers that built the Olympic Peninsula’s reputation as steelhead country, and for a great many anglers a winter trip to the Peninsula means some days spent on this river specifically. The water runs that distinctive glacial-influenced green, the banks are heavy timber and gravel bar, and the whole valley gets an enormous amount of rain.

Winter steelhead are the fishery it is known for. Hatchery fish arrive first, generally from December, and the wild fish follow through late winter and into spring, and the run timing here is late enough that the Bogachiel keeps fishing after many other systems have gone quiet. Summer steelhead are present in smaller numbers. Fall brings Chinook and coho, and sea-run cutthroat move through in late summer and autumn. Guides run it primarily by drift boat and raft, with wade fishing available at the developed access points.

Two practical realities govern trips here. The first is rainfall: this valley can take several inches in a day, and a river that was in perfect shape can blow out and clear again inside a week, so watching the gauge is not optional. The second is regulation, which changes frequently on Peninsula rivers as managers respond to wild steelhead returns, including in-season closures. Check current rules immediately before travelling. This gauge reports water temperature as well as discharge, and both numbers matter for timing a winter trip. Anglers should also budget for the drive: Forks is a long way from the Interstate 5 corridor, and most trips here run three or four days rather than a single outing, which also gives the river a chance to drop back into shape if it comes up.

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Access

Bogachiel State Park south of Forks - the main developed access with camping, parking and a boat launch.
Wilson Access off the Undi Road - established drift boat launch on the middle river.
Highway 101 bridge access near Forks - convenient parking and bank fishing close to town.
Upper Bogachiel trailhead - hike-in access to the park boundary water for wading anglers.
Leyendecker Park at the Sol Duc confluence - the standard lower take-out at the Quillayute forks.
Mill Creek and Undi Road pull-offs - roadside access points along the middle river.
Quillayute road launches below the confluence - lower system access for the combined flow.

Seasons

Spring: the tail of the wild winter steelhead run, often the best weeks of the year when conditions cooperate.
Summer: low, clear water with a modest summer steelhead presence and sea-run cutthroat entering later in the season.
Fall: Chinook and coho move in with the first serious rains and the river comes back up to fishing height.
Winter: the main steelhead season, hatchery fish from December and wild fish through February and March, weather permitting.

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Questions

What is the current flow on the Bogachiel River?

As of Sep 8, 4:30 am, the USGS gauge BOGACHIEL RIVER NEAR FORKS, WA reads 154 cfs, with water temperature 58.5 F. Conditions update every 15 minutes.

What species can you catch on the Bogachiel River?

Anglers target Chinook Salmon, Chum Salmon, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead on the Bogachiel River in Washington.

Where can you access the Bogachiel River?

Bogachiel State Park south of Forks - the main developed access with camping, parking and a boat launch. Wilson Access off the Undi Road - established drift boat launch on the middle river. Highway 101 bridge access near Forks - convenient parking and bank fishing close to town. Upper Bogachiel trailhead - hike-in access to the park boundary water for wading anglers. Leyendecker Park at the Sol Duc confluence - the standard lower take-out at the Quillayute forks. Mill Creek and Undi Road pull-offs - roadside access points along the middle river. Quillayute road launches below the confluence -...

When is the best time to fish the Bogachiel River?

Spring: the tail of the wild winter steelhead run, often the best weeks of the year when conditions cooperate. Summer: low, clear water with a modest summer steelhead presence and sea-run cutthroat entering later in the season. Fall: Chinook and coho move in with the first serious rains and the river comes back up to fishing height. Winter: the main steelhead season, hatchery fish from December and wild fish through February and March, weather permitting.

Where are the fishing regulations for the Bogachiel River?

Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Washington agency site: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations