Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery opens Aug. 1

July 29, 2010

Action: Lake Wenatchee opens for sockeye salmon fishing

Effective date: Aug. 1 through Aug. 3, 2010. Opens one hour before official sunrise.

Species affected: Sockeye salmon.

Daily limit: Two sockeye 12 inches in length or greater.

Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.)

Reason for action: The 2010 return of sockeye will be sufficient to provide for the Lake Wenatchee spawning escapement goal, and additional sockeye will be present to provide for sport fishing opportunity.

Other information: Selective gear rules and a night closure will be in effect. Bull trout, steelhead, and chinook salmon must be released unharmed without removing the fish from the water. Legal angling hours are one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Release sockeye with one or more holes (round, approximately ¼” in diameter) punched in the tail (caudal fin) of the fish. These fish are part of a study and have been anesthetized; the FDA requires a 21 day ban on consumption of these fish.

After the fishery closes, WDFW fishery managers will assess the catch and determine if additional fishing opportunities for sockeye remain. Any announcement will be posted under Emergency Fishing Rules on the department's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.

Information contact: Chad Jackson, (509) 754-4624.

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.