Each year state, federal and tribal fishery managers gather to plan the Northwest's recreational and commercial salmon fisheries. This salmon season-setting process is known as North of Falcon, which refers to northern Oregon's Cape Falcon, the southern border of active management for Washington salmon stocks. Salmon migrate and are intercepted by fisheries from California up to Alaska. The North of Falcon process coincides with meetings of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the federal authority responsible for setting ocean salmon seasons 3 to 200 miles off the Pacific coast. North of Falcon also functions in tandem with the Pacific Salmon Commission's Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements, which guide the conservation and management of salmon fisheries for the U.S. and Canada.
Several advisory groups that provide input to WDFW on salmon management meet throughout the North of Falcon process. More information on those groups – including meeting schedules and advisory group rosters – can be found on the advisory group homepage.
Details for 2023 meetings are still being finalized; updated information will be available on this page as scheduling develops.
North of Falcon timeline
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January-February
Salmon run forecasts
WDFW and tribal governments develop forecasts of salmon runs.
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March-April
Co-manager negotiations
WDFW and tribes hold government-to-government negotiations. To view a schedule of these government-to-government negotiations, visit our North of Falcon State-tribal meeting schedule webpage.
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March 1
Willapa Bay/Grays Harbor forecast meeting
Presentation of management objectives and forecasts for Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. This meeting will be live-streamed, but public participation will be limited only to those attending in-person.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
Presentation
North of Falcon documents
Willapa Bay documents
Grays Harbor documents
Meeting Notes -
March 3
Initial forecasts released
WDFW and tribal governments release initial salmon forecasts for Columbia River, Puget Sound, and Washington Coast. This meeting will have both in-person and online attendance options.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
Presentation
2023 Chinook forecasts
2023 Coho forecasts
2023 Chum, pink, and sockeye forecasts
Puget Sound recreational breakout presentation -
March 5-10
Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting
Based on annual abundance forecasts, WDFW works with state, tribal, and federal fisheries managers at Pacific Fishery Management Council to develop preliminary options for ocean fisheries.
Join a public meeting:
Visit the Pacific Fishery Management Council's website for information about virtual and in-person options to attend upcoming Council meetings.
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March 15
North of Falcon No. 1: Statewide proposals
Discussion of management objectives and preliminary fishery proposals for sport and commercial fisheries in Puget Sound and coastal Washington, with limited discussion of the Columbia River and ocean fisheries. This meeting will have both in-person and online attendance options.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
Presentation
Puget Sound Chinook stock analysis and modeling tool
Puget Sound coho stock analysis and modeling tool
Puget Sound gear study presentation
Puget Sound recreational breakout presentation
Puget Sound commercial breakout presentation -
March 20
North Coast, Straits, and Hood Canal discussion
Discussion of management objectives and preliminary fishing opportunities in the North Coast, Straits, and Hood Canal for 2023.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
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March 20
Public hearing on ocean options
The purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments on the proposed management alternatives in preparation for adopting final salmon management recommendations at the April 2023 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting.
Join a public meeting:
7 to 9 p.m.
Visit the Pacific Fishery Management Council's website for more information on attending this meeting.Attend in person:
Chateau Westport, Beach Room
710 S Hancock Avenue, Westport -
March 21
Columbia River fisheries discussion
Discussion of forecasts, management objectives, and potential fisheries for Columbia River. This meeting will have both in-person and online attendance options, and the initial overview will be followed by a recreational fishery discussion.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
2023 NOF ocean alternatives
2023 Columbia River meeting agenda
2023 Columbia River meeting handout
2023 Columbia River fall Chinook forecast
Tributary salmon and steelhead proposals -
March 21
Willapa Bay fisheries discussion
Discussion of forecasts, management objectives, and preliminary Willapa Bay fishing opportunities for 2023.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
Presentation
North of Falcon documents
Willapa Bay documents
2023 Willapa Bay NOF Public Fishery Suggestions Summary to-date
2023 Willapa Bay Terminal Area Management Model (TAMM) - Model A NALF
2023 Willapa Bay Fishery Model Run Summary
Meeting notes -
March 22
Grays Harbor fisheries discussion
Discussion of forecasts, management objectives, and preliminary Grays Harbor fishing opportunities for 2023.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
Presentation
North of Falcon documents
Grays Harbor Salmon Management Policy
2023 Grays Harbor NOF Public Fishery Suggestions Summary to-date
2023 Grays Harbor Models A & B Comparison
2023 Grays Harbor Models A & B Harvest Comparison
2023 Grays Harbor Models A & B Summary
Meeting Notes -
March 23
Puget Sound and freshwater sport discussion
Additional discussion of management objectives and preliminary Puget Sound sport fishing opportunities for 2023.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
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March 29
North of Falcon No. 2: Statewide fishery proposals
WDFW fishery managers will present information and analysis of preliminary fishery proposals. With public participation, staff will discuss preferred options for Puget Sound sport and commercial fisheries. This meeting will have both in-person and online attendance options.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
Puget Sound recreational presentation breakout
2023 Puget Sound Chinook stock analysis
2023-2024 Marine Area proposed regulation changes
NOF No. 2 meeting main presentation -
March 29
Upper Columbia and Snake River fisheries discussion
Discussion with WDFW fishery managers on forecasts and potential seasons for the upper Columbia (upstream of McNary Dam) and Snake rivers. This meeting will be in-person only. A video presentation on potential fishery options will be posted shortly before the meeting.
Join a public meeting:
6-8 p.m.
Kennewick Irrigation District
2015 S Ely St, KennewickMeeting materials:
View pre-recorded presentation
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March 30
Joint Willapa Bay/Grays Harbor fisheries discussion
Additional discussion of management objectives and preliminary Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor fishing opportunities for 2023.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
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April 2-7
Adopt final federal regulations
The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopts final recommended regulations for federal ocean fisheries.
Join a public meeting:
Visit the Pacific Fishery Management Council's website for more information on Council meetings.
State fish managers also plan to hold 8:30 a.m. morning briefings via conference call. Join conference call via Zoom.
Meeting materials:
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April 12
Joint Willapa Bay/Grays Harbor final fisheries package
Post-North of Falcon review of the outcome of regulations and schedules for the 2023-24 fishing season.
Meeting recording
Meeting materials:
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April-May
Draft regulations developed
Draft regulations for state fisheries developed based on public input, co-manager negotiations, and PFMC final regulations.
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June 8
Public comment
WDFW will take public comments on the proposed 2023-24 regulations package resulting from North of Falcon negotiations.
Meeting recording
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June
Regulations adopted
WDFW Director adopts state fishing regulations.