Marine Area 10 Blackmouth Fishery Closes

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced today, the winter Chinook salmon fishery in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) has closed for the season.

“Two weeks of good weather combined with good fishing in Marine Area 10 resulted in us reaching our fishery control limits early,” said Dr. Kirsten Simonsen, WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational salmon manager.

In Marine Area 10, the estimates of winter Chinook salmon caught to date indicate the fishery reached 145% of the total encounters (7,176 of 4,953), 100% of sublegal encounters (4,182 of 4,181) and 125% of unmarked encounters (1,189 of 953) agreed to in the List of Agreed Fisheries. Marine Area 10 was open four days per week – Wednesdays through Saturdays only – from March 1-23. Year-round piers will remain open to salmon fishing. The Agate Pass Area in Marine Area 10 remains open daily to catch-and-release fly fishing only through March 31.

Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) remains open four days per week – Wednesdays through Saturdays only – through April 15 or until the guidelines are met. Commencement Bay (east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock) in Marine Area 11 is closed to salmon fishing. Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) is open April 1-30 for winter Chinook fishing or until the guidelines are met.

WDFW will continuously analyze the fishery data collected via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season. For updates on the status of these fisheries, refer to the WDFW’s seasonal Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas webpage. Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and WDFW’s emergency rules webpage and download the Fish Washington mobile app for up-to-date regulations.

Salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. For the public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback, visit WDFW’s North of Falcon webpage. Refer to the WDFW North of Falcon FAQs and Glossary for key terms and suggested resources.