The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that Tokul Creek, and the Snoqualmie, Tolt and Raging Rivers will close to fishing, effective Friday, Dec. 16.

The reason for the closure is that the Tokul Creek Hatchery is expecting a very low return of hatchery early winter steelhead this year, since there were no smolt releases in 2014 or 2015. All returning hatchery fish will be needed for broodstock to ensure the hatchery’s egg take goals are met.

The specific areas that will close to fishing are:

• Tokul Creek from the mouth upstream to the hatchery intake;

• Tolt River from the mouth to the confluence with the North and South Forks;

• Raging River from the mouth to the Highway 18 bridge upstream of Preston; and

• Snoqualmie River from the mouth upstream to Snoqualmie Falls.

The rivers are expected to reopen Feb. 15 for trout and other game fish.

For more information, contact the Mill Creek Regional Office of the DNR at (425) 775-1311.