Hoh River
Olympic Peninsula · Winter Steelhead
Clallam County, Washington, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Steelhead and Chinook.
Stream gauge: 12041200. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
The Hoh sits at 846 cfs with steelhead season closed until late fall, but understanding this iconic Olympic Peninsula system now pays dividends later. June brings peak snowmelt through ancient rainforest — water temps are cold and flows glacial. Light rain through the forecast keeps the ecosystem lush while wild steelhead spawn in headwater tributaries. Use this window to scout access points, study the temperate rainforest structure, and prepare Spey gear for the fall opener.
- Flow: 846 cfs — full snowmelt flow typical for June. Season closed but perfect for scouting lower river access and pool structure.
- Season Status: Closed until late fall. Wild steelhead spawning in upper tributaries. Prime time to study the rainforest ecosystem.
- Water Temp: Cold glacial flows. Temps won't support significant insect activity until system moderates in late summer.
- Conditions: Light rain through forecast maintains the lush Olympic rainforest. Perfect for hiking the Rain Forest trail system.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: Dec–March (winter steelhead run)
The Hoh River drains the Olympic Peninsula's temperate rainforest — one of the wettest places in North America — and delivers wild winter steelhead through a cathedral of ancient Sitka spruce and old-growth fir. For steelhead fly fishers, the Hoh occupies a near-mythic status: wild fish, untracked wilderness, and the tradition of the two-handed spey rod swinging classic flies through powerful winter runs. Olympic National Park protects the upper river; the lower reaches below the park boundary are accessible to the public.
The Hoh River's wild steelhead have returned to the same pools for thousands of years — they navigate 70 miles of river through one of North America's last great temperate rainforests to reach their spawning grounds in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains.
January Outlook
January on the Hoh River in Olympic National Park — one of the most sacred steelhead rivers remaining. The Hoh drains the Olympic rainforest and runs cold and green through some of America's most ancient forest. Wild steelhead are present and require the most careful handling.
Productive Patterns
- Hoh Bo Spey (classic)
- Purple Peril
- Winter Fly (dark colors)
- Marabou Spey
Tips
The Hoh is a pilgrimage for steelhead fly fishers. Wade carefully in the powerful current. Two-hand rods (12-14 ft) are preferred. The fish are precious — minimal handling, quick release, cold water photography only.
Water Notes
Water 36-44°F. Olympic rainforest winter. Expect rain — this is one of the wettest places in North America. The Hoh's forest canopy creates a cathedral atmosphere.
February Outlook
February brings the peak of the Hoh winter steelhead season. Larger fish, more fish, and classic Pacific coast conditions. Fishing the lower Hoh below the park boundary allows more access. Olympic National Park has special regulations — check before entering.
Productive Patterns
- Purple Peril
- Winter's Hope
- Hoh Bo Spey
- Sol Duc Spey
Tips
The Hoh winter steelhead run is one of the last truly wild intact populations in the lower 48. Each fish is a gift. Fish the traditional two-hand spey swing through the big pool tails and soft runs.
Water Notes
Water 38-46°F. Peak winter run. Cold Olympic rainforest flows. Beautiful, remote, and hallowed ground for steelhead culture.
March Outlook
March continues the Hoh winter run into spring conditions. The forest begins to green up. Spring fish arrive and intermingle with late winter fish. Some of the largest individual steelhead of the season are taken in March.
Productive Patterns
- Winter's Hope
- Sol Duc Spey
- Purple Peril (smaller)
- Articulated Marabou Spey
Tips
March Hoh steelhead include some of the largest of the season. Spring fish are holding and willing. The lower Hoh from the mouth upstream provides the most accessible public water.
Water Notes
Water 42-50°F. Transitional conditions. Olympic spring warming. Some discoloration from snowmelt possible.
April Outlook
April — the Hoh winter steelhead season closes around April 15 on most sections. The final weeks of the season often produce some of its largest fish. Spring conditions can bring high, discolored flows from Olympic snowmelt and coastal rain. The Hoh rainforest is spectacular in April's early green.
Productive Patterns
- Winter's Hope (smaller)
- Marabou Spey (spring colors)
- Sol Duc Spey
- Bunny Leech (smaller)
Tips
April's last weeks of Hoh steelheading are bittersweet — the season is closing on one of the world's most sacred wild steelhead rivers. Check WDFW regulations for exact closing dates on specific sections. The spring fish can be the largest of the year.
Water Notes
Water 44-54°F. Season closing mid-April. High spring flows possible from Olympics snowmelt. Last weeks of Hoh winter steelhead season.
May Outlook
May — the Hoh steelhead season has closed. The Olympic National Park rainforest is in peak spring condition. The Hoh flows high from melting Olympic glaciers and coastal rains. Resident cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden are available in some upper tributaries during the off-season.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — Hoh steelhead season closed
- Research summer steelhead alternatives: Skeena system BC
- Explore upper Hoh for resident cutthroat trout (check ONP regulations)
- Prepare for next season: gear maintenance, fly tying
Tips
The Hoh's summer closure protects the wild steelhead during their spawning period. Olympic National Park regulations restrict most summer fishing. The upper Hoh above the park boundary and in Olympic Park backcountry may have native cutthroat opportunities — check current ONP regulations.
Water Notes
Closed season for steelhead. High Olympic glacier-fed flows. Olympic rainforest at peak. Season opens late October/November.
June Outlook
June on the Hoh — the Olympic rainforest is at its most spectacular. The river is running full with snowmelt. Wild steelhead are spawning in the upper river and headwater tributaries. The season is months away. The ancient Sitka spruce and western hemlock forest along the Hoh corridor is one of the finest temperate rainforests in the world.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — Hoh steelhead season opens late fall
- Explore Hoh Rain Forest visitor center and trail system
- Research upper Hoh backcountry — Olympic National Park
- Prepare winter Spey gear for fall opening
Tips
A summer visit to the Hoh Rain Forest is worthwhile even without fishing — the Hoh Rain Forest is one of the finest temperate rainforests in the Northern Hemisphere, receiving 140-170 inches of rain annually. Understanding the ecosystem deepens the experience of fishing it.
Water Notes
Closed season. High glacial flows. Olympic rainforest fully green. Wild steelhead spawning in upper headwaters.
July Outlook
July — the Hoh is in its summer closure. The river drops from peak spring flows and the glacier-fed waters run clearest in late summer. Native Olympic Peninsula cutthroat trout (coastal cutthroat) are available in some tributary systems. The deep rainforest trails along the Hoh are extraordinary summer hiking.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — Hoh steelhead season opens October/November
- Explore Quinault River system for summer fishing options (check regs)
- Upper Hoh backcountry steelhead tributaries (check ONP regulations)
- Tie large dark winter Spey patterns for fall opening
Tips
July on the Hoh corridor is a wilderness experience without equal on the West Coast. The Olympic Peninsula's combination of wild coastline, rainforest, and glaciated mountains is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse in the landscape that produces the wild steelhead.
Water Notes
Closed season. Summer low flows, clearest water of the year. Wild steelhead in ocean building condition. Season 3-4 months away.
August Outlook
August on the Hoh River — the summer is warm and dry by Olympic Peninsula standards (though still cooler than inland). The river is running low and clear. Wild steelhead are in the North Pacific building condition for their fall return. The season opens late fall.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — season opens late October
- Explore Sol Duc River system (same ONP drainage, opens earlier on some sections)
- Prepare two-hand rods, Skagit heads, and heavy sink tips for fall
- Research ONP and WDFW regulations for current opening dates
Tips
August is a good time to research current WDFW and Olympic National Park regulations for the upcoming fall/winter season. Opening dates and section-specific rules change year to year. The Hoh requires staying current with regulations — the wild fish protection is paramount.
Water Notes
Closed season. Low summer flows. Clear Olympic glacier water. Season opens late October on lower sections.
September Outlook
September — the Hoh winter steelhead run is beginning to build offshore. The first returning fish will enter the river in October. The season is one month away. Last preparations for the opener: gear check, licenses, logistics for the remote Olympic Peninsula access.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — season opens late October
- Washington fishing license purchase required
- Hoh River Road access: 18 miles from US 101 to park boundary
- Prepare wading gear: felt soles or studded rubber, wading staff required
Tips
September is the final preparation month for Hoh winter steelheading. Obtain Washington state fishing licenses. Check the Hoh River Road conditions — the 18-mile road to the ONP visitor center can be impassable after major storms. The lower Hoh near the mouth (accessible from US 101) is the most accessible public water.
Water Notes
Closed season. Low clear summer flows. First winter steelhead staging offshore. Season opens late October.
October Outlook
October — the Hoh River winter steelhead season opens (typically late October, check WDFW regulations for current dates). The first fresh wild steelhead are entering the river from the Pacific. The rainforest is in fall color. The season is beginning on one of the most sacred steelhead rivers in existence.
Productive Patterns
- Purple Peril (winter, #2-1/0)
- Hoh Bo Spey (classic)
- Winter's Hope
- Marabou Spey (large, dark)
Tips
The Hoh's opening period in October is special — fresh silver steelhead on the first high tides of the season. Access from the Hoh River Road to the river above the upper campground provides excellent runs. The lower Hoh near the mouth is accessible from US 101 near Forks.
Water Notes
Water 44-52°F. Season opens late October. Fresh wild steelhead entering from Pacific. Olympic fall conditions: leaves turning, rain returning.
November Outlook
November is the first full month of the Hoh winter steelhead season. Cold Pacific rain is increasing. The river is running fuller with fall rains. Wild steelhead are in the system in good numbers. The old-growth rainforest cathedral experience along the Hoh is at its most atmospheric.
Productive Patterns
- Hoh Bo Spey (classic)
- Purple Peril
- Winter's Hope
- Sol Duc Spey
Tips
November Hoh fishing requires commitment to conditions — rain, cold, and powerful water. The experience of swinging a fly through a Hoh pool under the ancient Sitka spruce with a wild steelhead on the other end is transcendent. This river demands respect and minimal impact.
Water Notes
Water 40-50°F. Increasing fall flows. Rain is constant in November on the Olympic Peninsula. Wild steelhead present throughout the system.
December Outlook
December on the Hoh River is the winter steelhead season in full swing. Cold, wet, dark — and wild steelhead in pools that ancient forest has shaded for centuries. The Hoh is a pilgrimage river and December is a pilgrimage month. Each wild steelhead is one of the world's most precious fish.
Productive Patterns
- Purple Peril (dark winter)
- Winter's Hope
- Hoh Bo Spey
- Articulated Marabou Spey
Tips
December Hoh fishing is for the committed. Rain jackets, wool layers, and the mental fortitude to fish hard for rare fish. The swinging fly through a Hoh pool under the old-growth canopy — this is why steelheaders call the Hoh sacred ground.
Water Notes
Water 38-46°F. Full winter. Heavy Olympic Peninsula rainfall. Wild steelhead in prime condition. This is what it's all for.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni |
Apr | Mar, Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Caddis Hydropsyche spp. |
Jun, Jul | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov | #18–20 |
|
| Hoppers Acrididae / Tettigoniidae |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #10–12 |
|
Access & Approach
Forks, WA is the gateway town. The lower Hoh below the park boundary has public access via forest roads. Olympic National Park requires an entrance fee and special fishing permit for the interior river. Washington State fishing licence + steelhead punchcard required. All wild fish must be released.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Washington requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Washington fishing regulations & license →
Nearby Waters
Closest Waters
More in This Region
About Current
Hoh River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Hoh River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
Open the live forecast for today's numbers and the 7-day outlook, or download the iOS app to carry it with you on the water.