Lewis Hatchery Coho Limit Boosted; Quilly, Sol Doc Opener Delayed Due To Low Water

THE FOLLOWING ARE EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICES FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Daily limit of hatchery coho increased on Lewis River

Action: Increases the daily limit for hatchery coho salmon.

Species affected: Coho salmon.

Effective date: Sept. 11 through Oct. 31, 2021

Location:  Lewis River, from the mouth to overhead power lines below Merwin Dam. 

Rule: 

• Effective Sept. 11 through Sept. 30, 2021, Salmon:  Daily limit 6; up to 6 adults may be retained, of which no more than 2 may be Chinook. Min. size 12”. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
• Effective Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2021, Salmon: Daily limit 6; up to 6 adults may be retained, of which no more than 2 may be Chinook. Min. size 12”. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho.

Reason for action: Early coho salmon returns to the Lewis Hatchery are projected to exceed broodstock collection goals for the Lewis Hatchery programs. Modifying coho fisheries will provide additional fishing opportunities while still meeting program and reintroduction goals.

Additional information: All other permanent rules published in the 2021-2022 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet remain in effect, including the closed waters area shoreward of the cable and corkline at the outlet of Lewis River fish hatchery ladder, the mark-selective rule for Chinook salmon through Sept. 30, and the salmon and steelhead closure from Nov.1 through Dec. 15 from Colvin Creek to the overhead powerlines below Merwin Dam.   

Fishery reopening delayed on the Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers

Action: Closes the Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers to all fishing. 

Effective date: Sept. 16, 2021 until further notice

Species affected: All species.

Locations:

• Quillayute River (Clallam Co.), from Olympic National Park Boundary upstream to confluence of Bogachiel and Sol Duc rivers.
• Sol Duc River (Clallam Co.), from mouth to the Olympic National Park Boundary.

Reason for action: This closure is necessary to protect wild summer coho returning to the system. The pre-season forecast was for an expected return of less than 300 adults. The Quillayute watershed is experiencing record low flows, causing fish to remain in the lower river. Fishing will reopen when flows increase, or stock assessment information suggests that wild summer coho have started their upstream migration. 

Additional information: The Quileute Tribe and WDFW have agreed to close their respective fisheries until river flows increase.

Please see the 2021-22 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional rules, or visit the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulationsand continue to check for emergency regulations in the affected area.