Ocean salmon season underway

Published 5:37 am Wednesday, June 28, 2017

ILWACO — Sport anglers are reeling in salmon off the Washington coast after the ocean season opened June 24.

Marine areas 1 (Ilwaco), 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) are open daily for salmon fishing. Marine Area 2 (Westport) opens July 1.

Fish managers expect slightly higher numbers of Chinook and coho salmon will make their way through the ocean this year as compared to 2016, said Wendy Beeghley, an ocean salmon manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Due to the improved forecasts, the recreational Chinook catch quota this year is 45,000, up from 35,000 in 2016. This year’s coho quota of 42,000 fish is an increase of 23,100 coho from 2016, when anglers were allowed to keep coho only in Marine Area 1. Coho retention is allowed in all four marine areas this summer.

Anglers fishing in marine areas 1 and 2 have a daily limit of two salmon, only one of which can be a Chinook. In areas 3 and 4, anglers will have a two-salmon daily limit. In all areas, anglers must release wild coho.

All four marine areas are scheduled to close to salmon fishing at the end of the day Sept. 4 but could close earlier if the quota is met.

As usual, the Buoy 10 salmon season inside the Columbia estuary is set to open Aug. 1.

Throughout the summer, anglers can check WDFW’s webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/creel/ocean for updates.

More information about the fisheries can be found in the 2017-18 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, available at license vendors and sporting goods stores and online at wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01914/2017-18_marine.pdf.