Action: Reduces the daily limit for coho salmon to one.
Effective date: Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.
Species affected: Coho salmon.
Locations: Marine areas 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point), 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait), 7 (San Juan Islands) 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, Skagit Bay), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area), 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island), and 13 (South Puget Sound).
Reason for action: Since early September, state and tribal co-managers have been assessing coho runs throughout Puget Sound waters. Preliminary information indicates that returning coho have a smaller body size and potentially lower-than-expected run sizes to many systems. WDFW is implementing this rule as a precaution to ensure escapement and hatchery goals are met.
Salmon rules by area:
Marine Area 5: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release chum, wild coho, and Chinook.
Marine Area 6: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release chum, wild coho, and Chinook.
Marine Area 7: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release chum and Chinook.
Marine Area 8-1: Sept. 23 through October 31: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release pinks and Chinook.
Marine Area 9: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release chum, wild coho, and Chinook.
Marine Area 10: Sept. 23 through Nov. 15: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release Chinook.
Marine Area 11: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release Chinook.
Marine Area 13: Sept. 23 until further notice: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 20". Release wild coho and wild Chinook.
Additional information: Rules for Marine Area 12, year-round docks and piers, Bellingham Bay, Tulalip Bay, and Sinclair Inlet Special Areas remain unchanged.
Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2019-20 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/02077/wdfw02077.pdf (PDF) for the specific regulations in each Puget Sound marine area or visit the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.
Information contact: David Stormer, Puget Sound recreational salmon manager, 360-902-0058; or Mark Baltzell, Puget Sound salmon manager, 360-902-2807