Commercial Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor Gillnet Salmon Fishery

Effective September 7, 2023, The Department has modified the commercial fishery via emergency regulation for Willapa Bay.  The modification opens commercial fishing areas 2N, 2M, and 2R from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. using tangle net gear (maximum mesh size of 4.25 inches) on September 7, 2023.  

 

Effective August 27, 2023, The Department has modified the commercial fishery for commercial fishing area 2N on August 31, 2023 via emergency regulation for Willapa Bay.  The modification opens commercial fishing area 2N from 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. using tangle net gear (maximum mesh size of 4.25 inch) on August 31, 2023.  

  • This modification means it will be lawful to fish in Willapa Bay commercial fishing areas 2N, 2M, and 2R using tangle net gear (maximum mesh size of 4.25 inch) from 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on August 31, 2023.

 

Effective August 20, 2023, The Department has modified the commercial fishery for commercial fishing areas 2M and 2R on August 20 and August 25, 2023, via emergency regulation for Willapa Bay.  

The modifications are:

  • Areas 2M and 2R will OPEN on August 20, 2023 from 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. using 4.25" tangle net gear.  2N, 2M, and 2R will be the only areas open to commercial salmon fishing on August 20.

  • Areas 2M and 2R will be CLOSED on August 25, 2023.  It will be unlawful to fish for salmon in Willapa Bay for commercial purposes on Friday, August 25, 2023 in all commercial fishing areas.

 

 

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.

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
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 that are 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

Gillnet landings archive

Willapa Bay fall commercial salmon landings
2023 Willapa Bay Commercial Gillnet Salmon Fishery Landings

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

Date Statistical 
Week		 Area(s) Chinook Coho Chum
Aug 20 34 2N, M, R 294 6

0
Aug 27 - Sept 2 35 2N, M, R 440 14 0
Sept 3 - 9 36 2N, M, R 367 117

0
Sept 10 - 16 37 2N, M, R, T, U 223 3693 1
Sept 17 - 23 38 2N, M, R, T, U 185 3051 3
Sept 24 - 30 39 2N, M, R, T, U 118 4888

152 
Oct 1 - 7 40 2N, M, R, T, U 66 3758

508
Oct 8 - 14 41 2N, M, R, T, U 6 238 1412
Oct 15 - 31 42 - 43 Closed      
Nov 2 & 3 44 2N, R, T, U 0 487 768
Nov 6 & 9 45 2N, M, R, T, U 0 123 123
Nov 13 & 16 46 2N, M, R, T, U 0 84 14
Nov 20 & 21 47 2N, M, R, T, U 0 159 2
Nov 27 48 2M, T, U 0 20 0

Season totals

Chinook Coho Chum
1699 16638 2983

Grays Harbor non-treaty commercial gillnet landings
2023 Grays Harbor Non-treaty Commercial Gillnet Salmon Fishery Landings

This information is preliminary and subject to change.

Grays Harbor area 2C

Date Stat week Chinook Coho Chum
Oct 23 -24 43 0 0 0
Nov 2 44 0 0 0

Totals

Chinook Coho Chum
0 0 0

Grays Harbor areas 2A and 2D

Date Stat week Chinook Coho Chum
Oct 3 - 4 40 9 1184 11
Oct 8 - 14 41 Closed    
Oct 18 42 0 93 270
Oct 26 43 0 122 1871
Oct 30 - Nov 1 44 0 75 969

Totals

Chinook Coho Chum
9 1474 3121