The Kilchis River gets a decent run of chum salmon which is open to catch-and-release fishing through Nov. 15. Anglers are reminded that all chum must be released unharmed. In addition, anglers are encouraged to avoid targeting actively spawning fish or disturbing redds (spawning nest).

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 Kilchis River is closed to fall Chinook fishing upstream of the Hwy 101 bridge. Downstream of the Hwy 101 bridge the bag limit for fall Chinook is reduced to one adult Chinook per day and a limit of 3 from Nov. 1 through the remainder of the season.