Skagit Springer, Area 13 Salmon Fisheries To Temporarily Pause

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

Skagit River salmon fishing temporarily closes May 15

Action: Closes salmon fisheries. 

Effective date: May 15, 2024, until further notice.

Species affected: Chinook salmon

Location: Skagit River (Skagit County) from the Highway 536 bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to Gilligan Creek.

Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of hatchery spring Chinook are forecast to return to Marblemount Hatchery.

Additional information: Pre-existing Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage for the effects of Puget Sound salmon fisheries expires on May 15, 2024. Federal ESA consultations on 2024-25 Puget Sound salmon fisheries are ongoing but are unlikely to be completed by May 15. Skagit River salmon fisheries are known to intercept ESA-listed Chinook in the May period. Accordingly, the river will temporarily close for salmon fishing starting May 15, 2024.

This closure is expected to be short in duration, as federal ESA review of this year’s salmon fisheries is anticipated to be complete within the next several days.

Marine Area 13 temporarily closed to salmon fishing

Action: Closes salmon fishing.

Effective date: May 15, 2024, until further notice.

Species affected: Salmon

Location: Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound).

Rule: Salmon fishing closed.

Reason for action: Pre-existing Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage for the effects of Puget Sound salmon fisheries expires on May 15, 2024. Federal ESA consultations on 2024-25 Puget Sound salmon fisheries are ongoing but are unlikely to be completed by May 15. Marine Area 13 salmon fisheries are known to intercept listed Chinook in the May period. Accordingly, Marine Area 13 will temporarily close for salmon fishing starting May 15, 2024. Salmon fisheries in Marine Area 13 will re-open when ESA authorization is received for the proposed 2024-25 Puget Sound salmon fishing package.

This closure is expected to be short in duration, as federal ESA review of this year’s salmon fisheries is anticipated to be complete within the next several days.