Westport Chinook Closing On Fridays, Saturdays As Of July 22
THE FOLLOWING IS A RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Westport (Marine Area 2) recreational salmon fishing season update
Action: Closes Chinook retention on Fridays and Saturdays
Effective date: July 22 through Sept. 30, 2022
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: Westport (Marine Area 2)
Rules: Chinook retention allowed Sundays through Thursdays: Daily limit 2, no more than 1 of which may be a Chinook. Chinook min. size 22”. Coho min. size 16”. Other salmon species no min. size. Release wild coho.
Chinook non-retention on Fridays and Saturdays: Daily limit 2. Hatchery coho min. 16”. Other salmon species no min. size. Release Chinook and wild coho.
Reason for action: Through July 17, 34% of the Marine Area 2 Chinook guideline has been taken (4,145 of 12,070 fish).
Due to the high Chinook catch rates so far this season, this action is necessary to not exceed the modest Chinook guideline and preserve the length of the season while continuing to allow opportunity to access significant coho abundance and fish for salmon seven days per week.
Additional information: Willapa Bay (Marine Area 2-1) and the portion of Grays Harbor (Marine Area 2-2) west of the Buoy 13 line are also open under the same rules as Marine Area 2. Regulations for Marine Areas 2-1 and 2-2 change in August, and details will be listed in the Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet. The 2022-2023 edition of the pamphlet will be available in late June.
Grays Harbor Control Zone is closed beginning Aug. 8.
The catch quotas for recreational fisheries North of Cape Falcon in 2022 are 27,000 Chinook and 168,000 hatchery-marked coho, with an Area 2 Chinook guideline of 12,070 and Area 2 coho quota of 62,160.
Marine Areas 1 through 4 are scheduled to close Sept. 30, but areas may close earlier if quotas are met.