SALMON LA SAC — Sockeye salmon haven’t been seen in central Washington’s Cle Elum Lake north of Interstate 90 for more than 100 years.

That will change today when fisheries biologists for the Yakama Nation reintroduce them.

Sockeye used to be found in four large lakes in the Yakima River basin, which stretches from Snoqualmie Pass to Richland. They were wiped out when the first, early dams were built, barring fish passage.

The Yakama Nation plans to capture 500 pairs of adult sockeye this morning from a fish ladder at Priest Rapids Dam on the Columbia River. The fish will then be trucked to Cle Elum Lake for a release ceremony later in the day.