Lake Chelan chinook salmon fishing season opens early

April 27, 2009

April 13, 2009

Lake Chelan chinook salmon fishing
season opens early


Action: Opens chinook salmon fishing.

Species affected: Landlocked summer chinook salmon.

Location: All of Lake Chelan, except within 400 feet of the mouths of all tributaries.

Effective date: 12:01 a.m. April 15, 2009 until further notice.

Reason for action: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW ) provides a salmon fishery in Lake Chelan by annually stocking a relatively small number of triploid, sterile chinook. The chinook salmon population also includes some naturally reproducing diploid chinook. WDFW seeks to maintain the abundance of chinook at a level that minimizes predation on kokanee and cutthroat trout but still provides fish for harvest. Sufficient numbers of stocked chinook are available to open the season early. The fishery will also help control the numbers of naturally reproducing chinook.

Other Information: Minimum size is 15 inches, Daily limit of 1 salmon. No catch record card is needed. Land locked summer chinook are not listed or protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Information contact: Art Viola (509) 665-3337 or the Wenatchee Office (509) 662-0452.

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Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.