Washington State Sport Catch Reports For Steelhead harvest data, please click here Download [PDF Format - 2.41MB] 2002 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch Report was first published in 1967. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates, which were and still are based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). In 1975, marine fish sport harvest estimates were added to the report, followed by shellfish estimates in 1976. Marine fish and intertidal shellfish sport harvest estimates are based on field and creel surveys. In 1994, with the merger of the departments of Fisheries and Wildlife, steelhead sport harvest estimates were added to the report. Now, catch record card data are collected for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Dungeness crab and halibut. The card data is supplemented with field or creel survey data or telephone surveys where available to improve recreational harvest estimate accuracy. The sport harvest estimates for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, marine fish and shellfish are produced at varying times of each year. For this reason, coupled with an increase in the number of catch record cards issued, budget, and staffing constraints, the 2002 edition of the Washington State Sport Catch Report is being published in April, 2008. The 2002 sport estimates reflect harvest from April 1, 2002, through March 31, 2003. Historically, salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Steelhead estimates were summarized from May 1 through the next April 30 to better capture the results of steelhead “run years”. Effective January 1, 1999, the sport license system adopted an April 1 to March 31 license year for all species. To adjust to the new reporting time frames, the 1999 sport report included 15 months of salmon and sturgeon catch and 11 months of steelhead catch (May 1, 1999 – March 31, 2000). When comparing past years’ sport harvest estimate tables, please note the changes in the license structure and reporting year as described above. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 4.57 MB] Errata [PDF Format - 95KB] 2001 Sport Catch Record- Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch Report was first published in 1967. The report originally provided salmon harvest estimates, which were and still are based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). Beginning in 1975, marine fish sport harvest estimates were reported in the sport catch report. In 1976, shellfish sport harvest was added. Marine fish and intertidal shellfish sport harvest estimates are based on field and creel surveys. In 1994, steelhead sport harvest estimates, from catch record cards, were added to the report. Now, catch record card data are collected for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Dungeness crab, and halibut. Those data are supplemented with field or creel survey data or telephone surveys where and when possible to improve recreational harvest estimate accuracy. The 2001 sport estimates (except Dungeness crab) reflect harvest from April 1, 2001, through March 31, 2002. The sport Dungeness crab catch estimates are for the period from April 21, 2001, through April 15, 2002. There were different seasons in different areas of Puget Sound, but this time range encompasses them all. Historically salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Steelhead estimates were summarized from May 1 through the next April 30 to better capture the results of steelhead “run years”. Effective January 1, 1999, management adopted an April 1 to March 31 license year for all species. To adjust to the new reporting time frames, the 1999 sport report included 15 months of salmon and sturgeon catch and 11 months of steelhead catch (May 1, 1999 – March 31, 2000). When comparing past years’ sport harvest estimate tables, please note the changes in the license structure and reporting year as described above. The term “catch” in this report is the same as “harvest” (kept fish). Released fish are not recorded. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 624KB] 2000 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch Report was first published in 1967. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates, which were and still are based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). Beginning in 1975, marine fish sport harvest estimates were reported in the sport catch report. In 1976, shellfish sport harvest was added. Marine fish and intertidal shellfish sport harvest estimates are based on field and creel surveys. In 1994, steelhead sport harvest estimates, from catch record cards, were added to the report. Now, catch record card data are collected for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Dungeness crab and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data or telephone surveys where and when possible to improve recreational harvest estimate accuracy. The sport harvest estimates for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, marine fish and shellfish are produced at varying times of each year. For this reason, coupled with an increase in the number of catch record cards issued, budget, and staffing constraints, the 2000 edition of the Washington State Sport Catch Report is being published in April 2004. The 2000 sport estimates reflect harvest from April 1, 2000, through March 31, 2001. Historically salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Steelhead estimates were summarized from May 1 through the next April 30 to better capture the results of steelhead “run years”. Effective January 1, 1999, the sport license system adopted an April 1 to March 31 license year for all species. To adjust to the new reporting time frames, the 1999 sport report included 15 months of salmon and sturgeon catch and 11 months of steelhead catch (May 1, 1999 – March 31, 2000). When comparing past years’ sport harvest estimate tables to 1999 and 2000 tables, please note the changes in the license structure and reporting year as described above. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 654KB] 1999 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch Report was first published in 1967. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were and still are based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). Beginning in 1975, marine fish sport harvest estimates were reported in the sport catch report. In 1976, shellfish sport harvest was added. Marine fish and intertidal shellfish sport harvest estimates are based on field and creel surveys. In 1994, steelhead sport harvest estimates, from catch record cards, were added to the report. Now, catch record card data are collected for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Dungeness crab and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data or telephone surveys where and when possible to improve recreational harvest estimate accuracy. The sport harvest estimates for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, marine fish and shellfish are produced at varying times of each year. For this reason, coupled with budget and staffing constraints, the 1999 edition of the Washington State Sport Catch Report is being published in August 2002. January 1, 1999, a new licensing structure was implemented which changed the fishing season regulations and licenses issued. Licenses and catch record cards were issued which were valid from April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000. Historically salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Steelhead estimates were summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year to better capture the results of steelhead "run years", which typically span two calendar years. When comparing sport harvest estimate tables from past years to 1999 please notice that the 1999 reported harvest totals reflect the above change in the license structure. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 1.67MB] 1998 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch report was first published in 1967 by the former Department of Fisheries. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). By 1991, catch record card data were collected for salmon, sturgeon and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data where and when possible to improve catch estimate accuracy. Over time the report expanded to include shellfish and marine fish estimates. Food fish (salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish) estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Since 1950, the former Department of Game (renamed Department of Wildlife in 1985) has published steelhead harvest reports based on catch record card data and creel surveys. Game fish (steelhead) estimates are summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year. This is to better capture the results of steelhead “run years”, which typically span two calendar years. On March 1, 1994, the former Departments of Fisheries (WDF) and Wildlife (WDW) merged to form the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This marks the fifth combined report covering both “food fish” and “game fish.” Delayed due to budget and staffing constraints, the 1998 edition is being published in February 2001. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 1.78MB] 1997 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch report was first published in 1967 by the former Department of Fisheries. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). By 1991, catch record card data were collected for salmon, sturgeon and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data where and when possible to improve catch estimate accuracy. Over time the report expanded to include shellfish and marine fish estimates. Food fish (salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish) estimates are made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Since 1950, the former Department of Game (renamed Department of Wildlife in 1985) has published steelhead harvest reports based on catch record card data and creel surveys. Game fish (steelhead) estimates are summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year. This is to better capture the results of steelhead “run years”, which typically span two calendar years. On March 1, 1994, the former Departments of Fisheries (WDF) and Wildlife (WDW) merged to form the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This marks the third combined report covering both “food fish” and “game fish.” Delayed due to budget and staffing constraints, the 1997 edition is being published in December of 1999. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 1.24MB] 1996 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch report was first published in 1967 by the former Department of Fisheries. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). By 1991, catch record card data were collected for salmon, sturgeon and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data where and when possible to improve catch estimate accuracy. Over time the report expanded to include shellfish and marine fish estimates. Food fish (salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish) estimates are made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Since 1950, the former Department of Game (renamed Department of Wildlife in 1985) has published steelhead harvest reports based on catch record card data and creel surveys. Game fish (steelhead) estimates are summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year. This is to better capture the results of steelhead “run years,” which typically span two calendar years. On March 1, 1994, the former Departments of Fisheries (WDF) and Wildlife (WDW) merged to form the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This marks the third combined report covering both “food fish” and “game fish.” Delayed due to budget and staffing constraints, the 1996 edition is being published in November of 1999. Complete introduction Download [PDF Format - 848KB] 1995 Sport Catch Report - Introduction The Washington State Sport Catch report was first published in 1967 by the former Department of Fisheries. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). By 1991, catch record card data were collected for salmon, sturgeon and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data where and when possible to improve catch estimate accuracy. Over time the report expanded to include shellfish and marine fish estimates. Food fish (salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish) estimates are made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Since 1950, the former Department of Game (renamed Department of Wildlife in 1985) has published steelhead harvest reports based on catch record card data and creel surveys. Game fish (steelhead) estimates are summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year. This is to better capture the results of steelhead "run years", which typically span two calendar years. On March 1, 1994, the former Departments of Fisheries (WDF) and Wildlife (WDW) merged to form the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This marks the second combined report covering both "food fish" and "game fish." Delayed due to budget and staffing constraints, the 1995 edition is being published in the spring of 1999. Complete introduction