More Details Posted On Washington 2021-22 Salmon Fisheries
With North of Falcon wrapping up late last week, WDFW is now beginning to post the agreed-to 2021-22 Chinook, coho, sockeye, pink and chum salmon fisheries.
Here are details from the agency by region:
Puget Sound marine areas
Marine Area 5
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/30 | Closed | |
7/1 – 8/15 | Open | 2 fish limit Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook |
8/16 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Chinook |
10/1 – 2/28 | Closed | |
3/1 – 4/30 | Open | 2 fish limit Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Coho Release Wild Chinook |
5/1 – 5/14 | Closed |
Quotas:
- Chinook Total (July – September): 4,077
- Chinook Total (October – April): 1,504
Marine Area 6
Dates | Status | Regulations |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/30 | Closed | |
E. of true N/S line through “2” buoy | ||
7/1 – 8/15 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Chinook |
8/16 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Chinook |
W. of true N/S line through “2” buoy | ||
7/1 – 8/15 | Open | 2 fish limit Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook |
8/16 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Chinook |
10/1 – 5/14/22 | Closed |
Quota: Chinook Total (East and West; July – September): 4,769
Marine Area 7
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/30 | Closed | Closed to Salmon |
7/1 – 7/31 | Open | 2 fish limit 1 hatchery Chinook Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook Bellingham and Samish Bay closed to Salmon |
8/1 – 8/15 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Chinook Bellingham and Samish Bay closed to Salmon |
8/16 – 8/31 | Open | 2 fish limit 1 hatchery Chinook Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook |
9/1 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chinook Release Chum Release Wild Coho |
10/1 – 5/14 | Closed |
Quota:
- Chinook Total (July – September): 1,382
Marine Area 8.1
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 7/31 | Closed | |
8/1 – 9/19 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook Release Wild Coho |
9/20 – 5/14 | Closed | Release all Chinook |
Marine Area 8.2
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 8/13 | Closed | |
8/14 – 9/19 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook Release Wild Coho |
9/20 – 5/14 | Closed |
Tulalip Bubble
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 5/27 | Closed | |
5/28 – 9/7 | Open | Open 12:01 AM Friday – 11:59 AM Monday each week 2 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook 22” minimum size |
9/11 – 9/26 | Open Saturday and Sunday each week 2 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook 22” minimum size | |
9/27 – 5/14 | Closed |
Marine Area 9
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 7/15 | Closed | |
7/16 – 8/15 | Open | 2 fish limit 1 hatchery Chinook Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook |
8/16 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook Release Wild Coho |
10/1 – 5/14 | Closed |
Quota:
- Chinook Total (July – September): 4,700
Marine Area 10
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/15 | Closed | |
6/16 – 7/15 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook |
7/16 – 8/31 | Open | 2 fish limit 1 hatchery Chinook Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Chinook |
9/1 — 10/31 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chinook Release Chum |
11/1 – 12/31 | Closed | |
1/1 – 3/31 | Open | 2 fish limit Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Chinook |
4/1 – 5/14 | Closed |
Quotas:
- Chinook Summer Total (July – September): 3,718
- Chinook Winter Total (October – April): 836
Elliott Bay
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/30 | Same as Marine Area 10 | |
7/1 – 8/5 | Closed | Closed to Salmon |
8/6 – 8/9 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum |
8/10 – 8/19 | Closed | |
8/20 – 8/31 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook |
9/1 – 5/14 | Same as Marine Area 10 |
Quota:
- Chinook Summer Total (July – September): 198
Sinclair Inlet
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 7/15 | Same as Marine Area 10 | |
7/16 – 9/30 | Open | 3 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Chinook |
10/1 – 5/14 | Same as Marine Area 10 |
Marine Area 11
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/15 | Closed | |
6/16 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit 1 hatchery Chinook Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Chinook |
10/1-10/31 | Open | 2 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook |
11/1 – 12/31 | Open | 2 fish limit 1 hatchery Chinook Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Chinook |
1/1 – 5/14 | Closed |
Quotas:
- Chinook Summer Total (May – September): 3,084
- Chinook Winter Total (October – April): 238
Marine Area 12
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
North of Ayock | ||
5/1 – 7/10 | Closed | |
7/11 – 9/30 | Open | 4 fish limit Release Chum Release Chinook |
10/1 – 11/30 | Open | 4 fish limit 2 hatchery Chinook Chinook 22” minimum size Release Chum through 10/15 Release Wild Chinook |
12/1 – 5/14 | Closed | |
South of Ayock | ||
5/1 – 6/30 | Closed | |
7/1 – 9/30 | Open | 4 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook 20” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Chinook |
10/1 – 11/30 | Open | 4 fish limit 2 hatchery Chinook Chinook 22” minimum size Release Chum through 10/15 Release Wild Chinook |
12/1 – 5/14 | Closed |
Quota:
- Chinook Total (North and South of Ayock): 2,309
Marine Area 13
Dates | Status | Regulation |
---|---|---|
5/1 – 6/30 | Open | 2 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook Minter Creek mouth closed 4/16 – 9/15 Lower Budd Inlet closure zone 7/16-10/31 |
7/1 – 9/30 | Open | 2 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook – 20” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook Minter Creek mouth closed 4/16 – 9/15 Lower Budd Inlet closure zone 7/16-10/31 |
10/1 – 5/14 | Open | 2 fish limit 2-pole endorsement Chinook – 22” minimum size Release Chum Release Wild Coho Release Wild Chinook Minter Creek mouth closed 4/16 – 9/15 Lower Budd Inlet closure zone 7/16-10/31 |
Quota:
- Chinook Total: 2,309
Puget Sound Freshwater
Dungeness River
Locations | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to the forks at Dungeness Forks Campground | 10/16-11/30 | 4 fish limit, hatchery Coho only; 12” min size. |
Elwha River
Closed to salmon and gamefish.
Hoko River Recreational
Location | Regulation |
---|---|
mouth to cement bridge (mile 7.0) on Hoko/Ozette Hwy. | Closed to salmon |
All other STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA REGION freshwater recreational closed to salmon angling.
Nooksack River mainstem and North Fork
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
from Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming | 8/1 – 9/30 | 2 fish limit, plus 2 additional Pink salmon or hatchery Coho; 12” min size. Release wild Chinook and Chum. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. |
10/1 – 12/31 | 2 fish limit, plus 2 additional Pink salmon or hatchery Coho; 12” min size. Release wild Chinook and Chum. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. | |
from yellow marker at the FFA high school barn to confluence of North and South forks | 10/1 –12/31 | 2 fish limit, plus 2 additional Pink salmon or hatchery Coho; 12” min size. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. |
Nooksack River South Fork
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
from mouth to Skookum Creek | 10/1 –12/31 | 2 fish limit, plus 4 additional hatchery Coho; 12” min size. Release wild Chinook 10/1 – 10/15. Night closure and only one single point hook allowed. |
Nooksack River North Fork
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
from the Hwy. 9 Bridge to the yellow marker at the upstream side of Kendall Hatchery. | 5/29 – 6/30 | 2 fish limit, hatchery Chinook only, 12” min. size; release all other salmon. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. |
Hwy 9 bridge to Maple Creek | 10/1 – 12/31 | 2 fish limit, plus 2 additional hatchery Coho; 12” min size. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. |
Samish River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
from mouth to I-5Bridge | 8/1 – 9/13 | 2 fish limit, 12” min size. Release wild Coho, Chum, and Pink salmon. |
Dakota Creek
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to Giles Road Bridge | 5/1/2021 – 5/14/2022 | Closed |
Whatcom Creek
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to yellow markers below foot bridge below Dupont St. in Bellingham | TBD | To be determined. |
All other NOOKSACK/SAMISH TERMINAL REGION freshwater recreational: Closed to salmon angling.
Baker River/Lake
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to Dam | Closed to salmon. | |
Baker Lake | TBD | To be determined. |
Cascade River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to Rockport- Cascade RoadBridge | 6/1 – 7/15 | 4 fish limit, only 2 may be adults, hatchery Chinook only, 12” min. size. Closed on Sundays and Mondays to avoid gear conflict with treaty fisheries. |
9/16 – 10/15 | 4 fish limit, Coho only, 12” min. size. Closed on Sundays and Mondays to avoid gear conflict with treaty fisheries. |
Skagit River
Specific gear conflict closure dates have not been identified but recreational fishing for all species will close two days per week from the mouth to highway 530 bridge in Rockport during weeks 26-29 for Sockeye and weeks 39-41 for Coho.
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
Mouth to Hwy 536 at Mt. Vernon (Memorial HWY Bridge) | 8/14 – 8/31 | 4 fish limit, only Pink salmon, release Chinook and Chum. 12” min size |
9/1 – 10/15 | 2 fish limit plus 2 additional Pink salmon, release Chinook and Chum. | |
from Memorial Hwy Bridge to Gilligan Creek | 5/1-5/31 | 2 fish limit, hatchery Chinook only. (12” min. size) |
8/14-8/31 | 4 fish limit, Pink salmon only (12” min size). | |
9/1 – 10/15 | 2 fish limit plus 2 additional Pink salmon, (12” min size). Release Chinook and Chum. | |
Mouth of Gilligan creek to Dalles Bridge at Concrete | 9/1 – 10/15 | 2 fish limit plus 2 additional Pink salmon, (12” min size). Release Chinook and Chum. |
Dalles Bridge at Concrete to Hwy 530 Bridge at Rockport | 9/1 – 10/15 | 2 fish limit plus 2 additional Pink salmon, (12” min size). Release Chinook and Chum. |
Hwy 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd | 6/1 – 7/15 | 4 fish limit, (12” min size). Only 2 may be adults, Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. |
9/1 – 10/15 | 2 fish limit plus 2 additional Pink salmon, (12” min size). Release Chinook and Chum. |
All other SKAGIT TERMINAL REGION freshwater recreational closed to salmon angling.
Snohomish River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers | 8/23 – 9/19 | 4 fish limit, Pink salmon and hatchery Coho only, 12” min. size. Continuation of fishery dependent on ISU. |
Snoqualmie River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to Snoqualmie Falls | 5/1/2021 – 5/14/2022 | Closed to salmon |
Skykomish River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
from mouth to Wallace River | 5/29–7/31 | 4 fish limit, only 2 may be adults, hatchery Chinook only,12” min. size. |
mouth to confluence of North and Southforks | 8/30-9/19 | 4 fish limit, Pink salmon and hatchery Coho only, 12” min. size. Continuation of fishery dependent on ISU. |
Wallace River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to 200’ upstream of water intake of salmon hatchery | 10/1 – 11/31 | 2 fish limit, hatchery Coho only, 12” min. size. Continuation of fishery dependent on ISU. |
Stillaguamish River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to forks | 5/1/2021 – 5/14/2022 | Closed to salmon. |
All other STILLAGUAMISH/SNOHOMISH TERMINAL REGION freshwater recreational closed to salmon angling.
Green River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
From an east-west line extending through the southernmost tip of Harbor Island to Tukwila International Boulevard/Old Hwy. 99 | 8/20 – 12/31 | Daily limit 6. No more than 3 adults may be Coho and Chum, 12” min size, release Chinook. |
Tukwila International Boulevard/Old Hwy. 99 to the South 212nd Street Bridge | 8/20 – 12/31 | Daily limit 6. No more than 3 adults may be Coho, Chum, or Chinook, 12” min size. No more than 2 Chinook may be retained as part of the daily limit; anglers must keep the first 2 Chinook that are landed. |
South 212th Street Bridge to Auburn-Black Diamond Road Bridge | 9/16 – 12/31 | Daily limit 6. No more than 3 adults may be Coho and Chum, 12” min size, release Chinook. Closed within 150’ of the mouth of Big Soos Creek (from the eastbound Bridge of highway 18 to Auburn Black Diamond Road Bridge). |
from Auburn-Black Diamond Rd Bridge to Tacoma Headworks Dam | 11/1 – 12/31 | Daily limit 6. No more than 3 adults may be Coho and Chum, 12” min size, release Chinook, Closed waters – within 150’ of the mouth of Keta (Crisp) Creek. Keta Creek closure includes both banks of the river and extends 150 feet upstream and downstream from a point directly across the river from the mouth of Keta Creek. Also closed upstream of the Tacoma Municipal Watershed Boundary Marker (1.3 miles downstream of the Tacoma Headworks Dam). |
Soos Creek
Closed to salmon.
Lake Washington Recreational
Dates | Regulation |
---|---|
August-October | Closed to salmon. Re-opening dependent upon ISU (lock counts) and co-manager agreement. Potential fishery starting date to be determined: Coho: 12” min. size. 4 fish limit, Coho only. |
Lake Sammamish
Dates | Regulation |
---|---|
10/1 – 11/30 | Fishery dependent upon ISU (lock counts) and co-manager agreement. 4 fish limit, Coho only.12” min size. |
12/1 – 5/31 | Landlocked salmon rules apply. Hatchery Coho may be retained as part of the trout daily limit. 12-inch minimum size. |
All other SOUTH SOUND AREA 10 REGION freshwater: Closed to salmon angling
Puyallup River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
from 11th St. Bridge to E. Main Bridge | 8/16 – 11/30 | Closed Sundays 8/15-8/31. Closed Sunday – Tuesday 9/1-9/31. 6 fish limit, 4 adults of which only 2 adults may be Chinook or Coho, 12” min size, release Chum and wild Chinook. |
From E. Main Bridge to Carbon R. | 8/16 – 11/30 | 6 fish limit, 4 adults of which only 2 adults may be Chinook or Coho, 12” min size, release chum and wild Chinook. |
Carbon River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
From mouth to Voight Creek | 9/1 – 11/30 | 6 fish limit, 2 adults, 12” min size, release Chum and wild Chinook. |
All other SOUTH SOUND AREA 11 REGION freshwater recreational Closed to salmon angling.
Deschutes River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
Capitol Lake (from outlet to 400’ below lowest Tumwater Falls (Deschutes River) fish ladder). | 5/1/2021-5/14/2022 | Closed. |
from Old Hwy 99 Bridge on Capitol Blvd in Tumwater upstream | Year round | 6 fish limit, 2 adults, 12” min size, release Coho. |
Kennedy Creek
Location | Regulation |
---|---|
mouth to northbound Hwy. 101 Bridge | Closed to salmon. |
McLane Creek
Location | Regulation |
---|---|
from a line 50’ north of and parallel to the Mud Bay Rd. Bridge to a line 100’ upstream of and parallel to the south bridge on Hwy.101 | Closed to salmon. |
Minter Creek
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to 50’ downstream of hatchery rack | 9/1 –12/31 | 6 fish limit, 4 adults of which only 2 adults may be Chinook or Coho, release wild Coho,12” min size. |
Nisqually River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to the military tank crossing bridge, one mile upstream of the mouth of Muck Creek | 7/1 – 11/15 | 6 fish limit, 2 adults, 12” min. size; release Chum, wild Coho, and wild Chinook. Closed Sundays and Mondays 8/22-9/6 and 10/1-11/15. |
11/16-1/31 | Closed to salmon angling. May open pending Yelm Escapement ISU. Open to Chum: 6 fish limit, 2 adults, release wild Coho and wild Chinook, 12” min size. | |
McAllister Cr. – mouth to Olympia- Steilacoom Rd Bridge | 7/1 – 11/30 | 6 fish limit, 2 adults, 12” min size. Release wild Chinook, wild Coho, and Chum. |
All other SOUTH SOUND AREA 13 REGION freshwater recreational closed to salmon angling.
Dewatto River
Location | Regulation |
---|---|
mouth to Dewatto-Holly Rd. Bridge | Closed to salmon. |
Dosewallips River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to ONP boundary | 11/1 –12/15 | 2 fish limit, 12” min size, Chum only. |
Duckabush River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
mouth to ONP Boundary | 11/1 –12/15 | 2 fish limit, 12” min size, Chum only. |
Quilcene River
Location | Dates | Regulation |
---|---|---|
Rodgers St. to Hwy 101 Bridge | 8/16 –10/31 | 6 fish limit, 4 adults, 12” min size, Coho only. Night closure. |
Skokomish River
Closed to salmon.
Tahuya River
Closed to salmon.
All other HOOD CANAL REGION freshwater recreational closed to salmon angling.
Columbia River
Summer salmon fisheries
All fisheries are subject to change based on catch rates, run size and other unforeseen circumstances.
The summer Chinook season on the mainstem Columbia River will be open from June 16 through July 5 for waters from the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Bonneville Dam. Upstream of Bonneville Dam to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco will be open June 16 through July 31. The daily adult limit is 2 fish, of which no more than 1 may be a hatchery steelhead and 1 sockeye. Release all wild Chinook. Regulations for waters upstream of Hwy. 395 are not included but are expected to have typical summer Chinook and sockeye retention seasons.
Fall salmon fisheries
All fisheries are subject to change based on catch rates, run size and other unforeseen circumstances. Salmon fisheries are open Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 and have different allowable harvest by area.
- The Buoy 10 fishery will be open to Chinook retention Aug. 1 through Sept. 6, with only hatchery Chinook allowed to be kept Aug. 1 through Aug 10. The daily adult limit is two salmon with no more than one Chinook; release wild Chinook from Aug. 1 through Aug. 10 and wild coho the entire season. From Sept. 7 through Dec. 31, the daily adult limit is three salmon, but all Chinook and wild coho must be released.
- Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to the Lewis River will be open to Chinook retention Aug. 1 through Sept. 9; the daily adult limit is two salmon with no more than one Chinook; release wild coho. From Sept. 10 through Dec. 31, the daily adult limit is two salmon, but all Chinook and wild coho must be released.
- Lewis River upstream to Bonneville Dam will be open to Chinook retention Aug. 1 through Oct. 31; the daily adult limit is two salmon with no more than one Chinook; release wild coho. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, the daily adult limit is two salmon, but all Chinook and wild coho must be released.
- Bonneville Dam upstream to the Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco will be open to Chinook retention Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 with a daily adult limit of two salmon with no more than one Chinook; release wild coho downstream of the Hood River Bridge.
- Hanford Reach and Snake River fisheries are not included but are expected to have typical Chinook retention seasons.
Steelhead
All fisheries are subject to change based on catch rates, run size and other unforeseen circumstances. Summer steelhead daily limit is one hatchery fish when open as part of the adult limit, as described below.
Coastal areas (include Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay)
Grays Harbor Area
The 2021 recreational salmon fishing season in Grays Harbor (Marine Area 2-2) west of buoy 13 is concurrent with the ocean rules for salmon (Area 2 rules apply). 2021 recreational salmon fishing seasons in Grays Harbor east of buoy 13 are:
- North Bay: from Aug. 1 – Sept. 23, anglers can keep one salmon, but must release wild Chinook and wild coho;
- East Bay: from Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, anglers can keep one salmon, but must release all Chinook.
Humptulips River recreational salmon fishing season and adult limits for 2021 are as follows:
- September: anglers can keep two salmon, and must release wild Chinook and wild coho.
- October: anglers can keep one salmon, and must release wild Chinook and wild coho.
- November and December: anglers can keep one salmon, and must release all Chinook and wild coho.
Chehalis watershed, south bay rivers and Hoquiam river recreational salmon fishing season and adult limits for 2021 are as follows:
- Chehalis River from Hwy 101 Bridge to Hwy 107 Bridge: from Aug. 1 – Sept. 23, anglers must release all adult salmon. From Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 anglers may retain one adult salmon but must release Chinook. From Dec. 1 – 31, anglers may retain one adult salmon but must release all Chinook and wild coho.
- Chehalis River from Hwy 107 to South Elma Bridge: from Aug. 1-Sept. 23, anglers must release all adult salmon. From Oct. 1- Dec. 31 anglers may retain one adult salmon but must release all Chinook and wild coho.
- Johns, Elk, Hoquiam, Wishkah, Chehalis (upstream of South Elma Bridge), Wynoochee, Satsop, and Black rivers will be open October through December, anglers may retain one adult salmon but must release all Chinook and wild coho. The Skookumchuck and Newaukum rivers will open Oct. 16 – December, anglers may retain one adult salmon, but must release all Chinook and wild coho.
Willapa Bay Area
The recreational salmon fishing season in Willapa Bay (Marine Area 2-1) is scheduled from June 19 through July 31, 2021, concurrent with the ocean rules for salmon (Area 2 rules apply).
From Aug. 1, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022, anglers may retain two adult salmon and must release wild, unmarked Chinook and wild, unmarked coho. The Willapa Bay Control Zone will also be open at that time and the North River Area Closure will be in effect from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2021.
The freshwater rivers in the Willapa Bay watershed may retain two adult salmon and must release wild, unmarked Chinook and wild, unmarked coho.
- North River, Smith Creek, Palix River, and Bear River will be Closed to salmon angling.
- South Fork Willapa River and Middle, North, and South Nemah rivers will close to salmon angling Oct. 1, 2021.
- The section from Hwy 4 to 300’ below the upstream entrance of the hatchery attraction channel in the Naselle River will be closed to salmon angling from Aug. 1 – Oct. 15, 2021. This section will re-open Oct. 16, 2021. The remainder of salmon regulations in the Naselle River will be similar to the 2020 fishery season.
- Regulations for Willapa River and Fork Creek will have similar opening and closing dates similar to the 2020 fishery season.
Washington’s ocean waters (Marine Areas 1-4)
Catch quotas
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) approved a recreational Chinook catch quota of 27,250 fish, similar to last year’s quota. The PFMC, which establishes fishing seasons in ocean waters 3 to 200 miles off the Pacific coast, also adopted a quota of 70,000 hatchery coho for this year’s recreational ocean fishery. This represents an increase over last year’s initial coho quota of 26,500 due to predicted strong runs of Columbia River coho.
Fishing seasons
Recreational ocean salmon fisheries will be open daily beginning June 19 with the following regulations:
- Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): June 19-26, open seven days per week with a daily limit of one salmon; no coho may be retained. Beginning June 27, the area is open for all salmon species seven days per week with a daily bag limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches, and anglers must release wild coho.
- Marine Area 2 (Westport): June 19-26, open seven days per week with a daily limit of one salmon; no coho may be retained. Beginning June 27, the area is open for all salmon species Sundays-Thursdays with a daily bag limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a Chinook. The area is closed to salmon fishing Fridays and Saturdays. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches, and anglers must release wild coho.
- Marine Area 3 (La Push): June 19-July 3, open seven days per week with a daily limit of two salmon; no coho may be retained. Beginning July 4, the area is open for all salmon species seven days per week with a daily bag limit of two salmon. Chinook minimum size is 24 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches, and anglers must release wild coho.
- Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay): June 19-July 3, open seven days per week with a daily limit of one salmon; no coho may be retained. Beginning July 4, the area is open for all salmon species seven days per week with a daily bag limit of two salmon. Chinook minimum size is 24 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches, and anglers must release wild coho.
Each area will close Sept. 15 or when their individual catch quota is met.