The News Tribune
Published: May 29th, 2008 01:00 AM
Recreational salmon fishing off the Washington coast begins next week.
The season kicks off Sunday in the waters off Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) and Westport (Marine Area 2). Fishing will start on Tuesday off LaPush (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4).
The season kicks off Sunday in the waters off Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) and Westport (Marine Area 2). Fishing will start on Tuesday off LaPush (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4).
For the first part of the season, through June 28, anglers will be able to keep only chinook. Fishing will close before then if the overall guideline or quota for a specific area is met.
The Sunday opener is a nearly a month earlier than is traditional.
"Our situation in Westport is in direct contrast with what is happening in California and Oregon," said Steve Westrick, president of the Westport Charter Boat Association, in an association news release. "Westport is open for fishing the entire month of June. This is a great opportunity to go for the big Lower Columbia River chinook that swim past Westport this time of year. They typically run larger than the usual chinook. So, the bonus season promises lots of happy anglers early in the season."
Cold ocean water temperatues is another signal fishing could be good.
"That indicates an upswelling rich with nutrients, more food and bigger salmon. The season will just be earlier than normal. I personally recommend fishing in June, " Doug Milward of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said in the association's news release.
Here is a look at the early chinook season set up for each area.
Ilwaco: Open daily with a one-chinook limit. Minimum size is 24 inches. The overall guideline is 5,300 fish. The general chinook and coho season is set for June 29-Sept. 30.
Westport: Fishing is allowed Sundays through Thursdays, with a one-fish limit. The season might close earlier if the quota of 8,200 chinook is attained for areas 2, 3 and 4. The general chinook and coho season is set for June 29-Sept. 13.
LaPush: Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, with a one-fish limit. Minimum size is 24 inches. The season might close earlier if the quota of 8,200 chinook is attained for areas 2, 3 and 4. The general chinook and coho season is set for July 1-Sept. 13.
Neah Bay: Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, with a one-fish limit. Minimum size is 24 inches. The area east of a north-south line through Sail Rock is closed to salmon fishing. The season might close earlier if the quota of 8,200 chinook is attained for areas 2, 3 and 4. The general chinook and coho season is set for July 1-Sept. 13.
On the sound
Anglers not wanting to spend the money on gas driving to the coast can start fishing for salmon in Puget Sound on Sunday. Marine Area 11, from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the northern tip of Vashon Island, will be open through Dec. 31, with some regulation changes occurring Oct. 1 and Nov. 1.
Anglers will be able to keep two fish but must release all wild chinook.
The minimum size for chinook is 22 inches, while there is no minimum size for other salmon species.
The waters east of a line from the Cliff House Restaurant to the Sperry Ocean Dock – essentially Commencement Bay – are closed until Aug. 1.
The News Tribune
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Check & Clear 6
LOC: 38-54-14.60N / 097-14-09.07W
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