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.

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
2022 Willapa Bay Commercial Gillnet Salmon Fishery Landings

This information is preliminary and subject to change.

Date Statistical 
Week		 Area(s) Chinook Coho Chum
Aug 26

35

 2N, 2M 710 13 0
Sept 2

36

 2N, 2M 537 58 0
Sept 7 37 2N, 2M 325 194 0
Sept 12 - 17 38 2N, M, T, U 488 8,932 0
Sept 19 - 23 39 2N, M, R, T, U 181 8,456 3
Sept 26 - Oct 1 40 2N, M, R, T, U 94 11,665 40
Oct 3 - 7 41 2N, M, R, T, U 47 5,634 171
Oct 9 - 15 42 2N, M, R, T, U 20 6,494 2,062
Oct 16 - 31 43 & 44 Closed      
Nov 1 - 5 45 2N, T, U 2 4,295 10,308
Nov 7 & 11 46 2N, M, T, U 1 1,474 3,289
Nov 16 47 2N, M, T, U 0 17 5

Season totals

Chinook Coho Chum
2,405 47,232 15,878

Grays Harbor non-treaty commercial gillnet landings
2022 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 17-18

43

1

2

30

Oct 27

44

0

0

0

Totals

Chinook Coho Chum
1 2 30

Grays Harbor areas 2A and 2D

Date Stat week Chinook Coho Chum
Sept. 28

40

 0 1174 0
Oct. 12

42

 1 411 47
Oct. 19-20 43 1 282 337
Oct. 24-26 44 1 1357 3914
Nov. 1-2 45 0 292 1252

Totals

Chinook Coho Chum
3 3516 5550