Lake Washington reopens for two more days of sockeye fishing

July 31, 2006

Action: Lake Washington reopens to fishing for sockeye salmon Aug. 2 and 3.

Effective Dates: Aug. 2 and 3, 2006

Species affected: Sockeye salmon

Location: Lake Washington waters east of a line extended true south from Webster Point. Closed to fishing within 100 yards either side of Hwy. 520 and I-90 floating bridges, and additionally, closed within 1,000 feet of the Cedar River mouth.

Reason for action: The projected sockeye run has been upgraded to 466,000 with an escapement goal of 350,000. The projected non-treaty harvestable share is approximately 57,000 sockeye.

Other information: The salmon bag limit will be two fish (sockeye only) with a minimum size of 15 inches. All other salmon must be immediately released unharmed. Daily fishing hours are from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset.

Freshwater fishing rules apply. These rules include the requirement that fishers have a current Freshwater or Combination license and catches must be immediately recorded on their Sport Catch Record Card. A Saltwater fishing license is not valid in Lake Washington. Barbed hooks are allowed. Also under freshwater rules, individual anglers may only fish with one rod and must stop fishing once their personal daily limit has been retained.

Catch rates and run size will continue to be updated to determine whether additional fishing opportunity can be provided.

The Muckleshoot Tribe will be conducting a gillnet fishery in the south end of the Lake from 8:00pm Tuesday evening until 3:00am Wednesday morning. Tribal vessels will be offloading catch and pulling their boats out at the Atlantic City boat ramp. To avoid launching delays, anglers may want to use an alternative launch location Wednesday morning.

Anglers should also be aware of boating closures in certain areas of the Lake associated with Seafair including hydroplane testing on Wednesday and Blue Angels practice on Thursday. See Seafair.com.

Chinook impacts: Chinook impacts are expected to be minimal. The peak of the chinook abundance in the lake is not expected until after mid-August. Anglers are reminded to release any chinook immediately.

Information contact: Steve Thiesfeld, (360) 902-2715

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. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

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.