Schedule North of Falcon Meeting Calendar Background North of Falcon Q&A How salmon fishing seasons are set How tribes and state co-manage salmon and steelhead Run-Size Forecasts Chinook Chum Coho Pink Sockeye News   WDFW News Increased salmon fishing restrictions reflect conservation needs, low returns - Apr 10, 2008 Outlook for ocean salmon fisheries reflects poor coho forecasts - Mar 14, 2008 Low returns of coho, wild chinook may put damper on salmon fisheries - Mar 4, 2008 Public meeting scheduled March 4 on 2008 salmon forecast - Feb 1, 2008   Other News Cooperation at Salmon Harvest Talks - Kitsap Sun Fishing | Summer of salmon like last year in Puget Sound waters -Seattle Times Salmon cutbacks serve as warning - Tacoma News Tribune Links WDFW Commercial Fishing Selective Fishing Techniques Pacific Fishery Management Council Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife California Dept. of Fish and Game

2008 North of Falcon 2008-09 Salmon Seasons Marine Area Rules Columbia River Rules Each year state, federal and tribal fishery managers gather to plan the Northwest's recreational and commercial salmon fisheries. This series of public meetings, known as the North of Falcon process, involves federal, state, tribal and industry representatives and concerned citizens. This year’s North of Falcon salmon season-setting process has concluded. Attached are the 2008-09 recreational fishing regulations for Washington’s marine areas and the Columbia River. These regulations are subject to change during the 2008-09 season. Please visit our Fishing Regulations and Seasons website for all regulations and rule changes.   2008 North of Falcon Public Meeting Schedule March 4 2008 Salmon Forecasts and Fishing Opportunities: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, General Administration Building Auditorium, 11th Avenue and Columbia Street on the Capitol Campus, Olympia WDFW presents Puget Sound, coastal Washington and Columbia River salmon abundance forecasts. Fishery management objectives and preliminary fishing opportunities for 2008 are discussed. March 5 Grays Harbor Fisheries Discussion: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main Street, Montesano Public discussion of 2008 Grays Harbor salmon forecasts and fishing opportunities. March 6 Willapa Bay Fisheries Discussion: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Raymond Elks Lodge, 326 Third Street, Raymond Public discussion of 2008 Willapa Bay salmon forecasts and fishing opportunities. March 9-14 Pacific Fishery Management Council: Double Tree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA The PFMC adopts a range of ocean fishery options, including catch quotas for sport and commercial fisheries. March 12 Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Discussion: POSTPONED The public discussion of management objectives and preliminary options for Puget Sound commercial fisheries has been moved to the March 18th North of Falcon meeting in Olympia. March 12 Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Discussion: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, WDFW Mill Creek Office, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek Public discussion of management objectives and preliminary options for Puget Sound marine and freshwater sport fisheries. March 17 Columbia River Fisheries Discussion: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA Public discussion of management objectives and preliminary options for Columbia River fall commercial and sport fisheries. March 18 First North of Falcon Meeting: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, General Administration Building Auditorium, 11th Avenue and Columbia Street on the Capitol Campus, Olympia Discussion of management objectives and preliminary fishery proposals for Puget Sound, coastal Washington and Columbia River area sport and commercial fisheries. March 28 Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay Fisheries Meeting: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Avenue, Lacey Public meeting to reach final agreement on 2008 sport and commercial salmon seasons for Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. March 31 Pacific Fishery Management Council public hearing: 7:00 p.m., Chateau Westport, 710 Hancock Street, Westport Public hearing to receive comments on proposed ocean salmon fishery management options adopted by the council. April 1 Second North of Falcon Meeting: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Embassy Suites Hotel, 20610 44th Avenue West, Lynnwood Public meeting to present results of state-tribal negotiations and analyses of preliminary fishery proposals. With public participation, preferred options are developed for Puget Sound and Columbia River area sport and commercial fisheries. April 6-11 Final Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting: Seattle Marriot Hotel, 3201 S. 176th Street, SeaTac PFMC adopts final ocean fisheries regulations and state-tribal fishing plans are finalized for all inside area commercial and sport salmon fisheries.