OR North Coast, WA South Coast Reopening For 1 More Day Of Ocean Salmon Fishing

THE FOLLOWING ARE RULE CHANGE NOTICES FROM NMFS, ODFW AND WDFW

–NMFS–

Inseason Action #15:

• Effective 12:01 AM Wednesday, September 4, 2024, through 11:59 PM Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the recreational fishery in the area between Queets River and Cape Falcon (Westport and Columbia River Subareas) is open to fishing for salmon. Daily limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip. Chinook minimum size limit of 22 inches. Grays Harbor and Columbia River Control Zones closed.

–ODFW–

August 29, 2024 ACTION NOTICE – Recreational Ocean Salmon: NOAA Fisheries in consultation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, representatives from the recreational ocean salmon fishery, the commercial ocean troll salmon fishery, and the Pacific Fishery Management Council, has taken in-season action with respect to the recreational salmon fishery in the area from Leadbetter Point, Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon.

ACTION TAKEN:

• Effective 12:01 AM Wednesday, September 4, 2024, through 11:59 PM Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the recreational fishery in the area between Queets River and Cape Falcon (Westport and Columbia River Subareas) is open to fishing for salmon. Daily limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip. Chinook minimum size limit of 22 inches. Grays Harbor and Columbia River Control Zones closed.
• Effective 12:01 AM Thursday, September 5, 2024, the recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is closed to fishing for salmon.  Possession of salmon on board a vessel is prohibited in the Columbia River Subarea. 

RATIONALE AND NOTES: The Leadbetter Point , Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon season was closed to angling after August 22 based on the projection that the coho harvest was likely to come very close to the remaining quota.  After review of catch estimates, there were total landings of 38,394 coho leaving 1,506 coho remaining on the quota. After reviewing likely effort and catch projections, it was determined that there is enough remaining quota to open for one additional weekday.

-WDFW–

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) recreational salmon fishing season reopens Wednesday, Sept. 4 only

Action: Opens one day of salmon fishing in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco).

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco).

Effective dates and rules:

• Immediately through Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024: Salmon fishing closed.
• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024: Daily limit is two including no more than one Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches. Other salmon species no min. size. Release wild coho.
• Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, until further notice: Salmon fishing closed.

Reason for action: Sufficient quota remains to allow for a one-day reopening.

Additional information: Anglers can check the emergency rules webpage for updates, or sign up for the Fishing Rule Change alerts email list on the WDFW webpage. See the WDFW “The Salmon Fishing Current” blog for additional Puget Sound Chinook fishery information.

Information contact: Fish Program, 360-902-2700.