Commercial Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor gillnet salmon fishery

Information, documents, and reported harvest of salmon for the Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor commercial gillnet fishery. For the latest regulatory information on seasons and emergency changes, please check the hotline at 360-902-2500 Option 1. For additional information or questions, please contact Regional office in Montesano at 360-249-4628.

Effective Friday, September 20, 2024 only, the Department has modified the Willapa Bay commercial fishery via emergency regulation.  The modifications include:

  • Area 2M will OPEN on Sept 20 from 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. using small mesh gillnet gear (maximum mesh size 6.5 inches)
  • Area 2U will be authorized to fish with small mesh gillnet gear (maximum mesh size 6.5 inches), changing gears from tangle net gear that was originally scheduled for use this week.  

All other rules of WAC 220-354-250 remain in effect for September 20, 2024.

Effective Thursday, October 3, 2024 only, the Department has modified the Willapa Bay commercial fishery via emergency regulation.  The modification includes:

  • Areas 2N and 2M will OPEN on October 3 from 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. using small mesh gillnet gear (maximum mesh size 6.5 inches)

All other rules of WAC 220-354-250 remain in effect for October 3, 2024.

Effective Thursday, October 17 and October 18, 2024, the Department has modified the Willapa Bay commercial fishery via emergency regulation. The modifications include:

  • October 17, 2024 - Commercial area 2T will OPEN from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. using small mesh gillnet gear (maximum mesh size 6.5 inches)
  • October 18, 2024 - Commercial area 2M will OPEN from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. using small mesh gillnet gear (maximum mesh size 6.5 inches)

All other rules of WAC 220-354-250 remain in effect.

Schedules, regulations, and other information

Fish Friendly Workshop

It is required that all operators complete a Fish Friendly "Best Fishing Practices" workshop to fish the Fall Fishery in Willapa Bay and/or Grays Harbor. See Letter to Interested Parties below.

Each year, WDFW provides a “Fish Friendly: Best Fishing Practices” workshop for new commercial fishers wanting to participate in any Willapa Bay or Grays Harbor commercial salmon fisheries. This workshop details requirements such as proper fish identification, recovery boxes, and limited soak times needed for participation in these fisheries. Upon completion of online training, fishers receive a department-issued “Fish Friendly” certification card. This certification does not expire, however, a valid card must be held by the licensed operator or alternate operator. Under each harbor heading below, you will find WAC 220-354-250 and 220-354-290 that authorize this certification requirement.

Once you have completed and viewed the Coastal Fish Friendly Online Workshop, use the link below to download and complete your Fish Friendly Online Attestation Form. These forms should be electronically sent to either WillapaBay@dfw.wa.gov or GraysHarbor@dfw.wa.gov depending on the fishery you plan to participate.  If you plan to participate in both Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor commercial fisheries, you only need to submit one Attestation form. Once received, our Licensing program will mail you your Fish Friendly Certification Card.

Coastal Fish Friendly "Best Fishing Practices" Workshop (PDF)

Large Whale Entanglement Program

Reporting

Mass Text System

Regional staff are looking to utilize a mass text system to provide the commercial gillnet fleet in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor notices via text of any in-season changes or adjustments.  The region 6 Shellfish program uses the same system to notify the commercial crab fleet of any updates. 

If interested in participating in this system to receive updates to the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay or Grays Harbor, please email either WillapaBay@dfw.wa.gov or GraysHarbor@dfw.wa.gov and provide your name and cell phone number so you can be included.

Willapa Bay

If you would like to be included in any email updates sent out by the Region 6 staff, please send an email to WillapaBay@dfw.wa.gov and let us know you want to be added to our distribution list.

Grays Harbor

If you would like to be included in any email updates sent out by the Region 6 staff, please send an email to GraysHarbor@dfw.wa.gov and let us know you want to be added to our distribution list.

Gillnet schedule summaries

Willapa Bay fall commercial salmon landings

2024 Willapa Bay Commercial Gillnet Salmon Fishery Landings

This information is preliminary and subject to change.  Unmarked Chinook are required to be released.

DateMgmt WeekAreaChinookCohoChum
Aug 11-17332N, M, R66511
Aug 18 - 24342N, M, R1081260
Aug 25 - 31352N, M, R351602
Sept 1 - 736Closed   
Sept 8 - 14372N, M, R3487820
Sept 15 - 21382N, M, R, T, U529756711
Sept 22 - 28392N, M, R, T, U1906385132
Sept 29-Oct 5402N, M, R, T, U1086074724
Oct 6 - 12412N, M, R, T, U3411874896
Oct 13 - 19422N, M, R, T, U13118822639
Oct 20 - 26432N, M, R, T, U2221128927
Oct 27 - Nov 2442N, M, R, T01346083
Nov 3 - 9452N, M, R, T01171631
Nov 10 - 16462N, M, R, T000
Nov 17 - 23472N, M, R, T, U046511
Nov 24 - 30482N, M, R, T, U0450
Total  33212624265057

Grays Harbor non-treaty commercial gillnet landings

2024 Grays Harbor Non-treaty Commercial Gillnet Salmon Fishery Landings

This information is preliminary and subject to change.

Grays Harbor Area 2C
DateMgmt WeekChinookCohoChum
10/23-10/2443000
10/2844000
Total 000

 

Grays Harbor Areas 2A and 2D
DateMgmt WeekChinookCohoChum
Oct 2 & 3401093312
Oct 21 & 22431332646
Oct 30 & 314413222560
Nov 4 & 545051115
Totals 1216383333