State reopens Puget Sound salmon fisheries, with big changes

Published 3:00 pm Saturday, June 25, 2016

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has reopened Puget Sound-area salmon fisheries that had been closed since May 1 because of an impasse in harvest negotiations between user groups. The department’s press release, issued Friday morning, said the fisheries are open “immediately.”

Through the end of this month anglers must follow the regulations listed in the 2015-16 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01726. Beginning July 1, anglers should check the 2016-17 rules pamphlet available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations for information.

State salmon policy lead John Long is quoted as saying additional protections are in place to protect coho. Anglers will be required to release coho in much of Puget Sound this season, including those fishing from most year-around piers.

Three of the more important river fisheries reopening in our area include the Skykomish River for hatchery chinook and hatchery steelhead; the Skagit River for sockeye, hatchery chinook and hatchery steelhead; and the Cascade River for hatchery chinook and hatchery steelhead.