Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) salmon fishery updates

July 24, 2024

Action: Opens three additional days of salmon fishing in most of Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island). Reduces Chinook portion of the daily limit to one fish, through September.

Effective date: July 25 through Sept. 30, 2024.

Species affected: Salmon.

Effective dates, locations, and rules:

Marine Area 11, except waters of Commencement Bay east of a line bearing 215° true from the Cliff House Restaurant on north shore through Sperry Ocean Dock and year-round piers (Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, and Point Defiance Boathouse Dock, and Redondo Pier):

  • July 25-27, 2024: Salmon daily limit is two (2) including no more than one (1) hatchery Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. All other salmon species, no minimum size. Release chum and wild Chinook.
  • July 28-31, 2024: Salmon fishing is closed.
  • Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2024: Salmon daily limit is two (2) including no more than one (1) hatchery Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. All other salmon species, no minimum size. Release chum and wild Chinook.

Marine Area 11 waters of Commencement Bay east of a line bearing 215° true from the Cliff House Restaurant on north shore through Sperry Ocean Dock:

  • July 25-31, 2024: Salmon fishing is closed.
  • Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2024: Salmon daily limit two (2) including no more than one (1) hatchery Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. All other salmon species, no min. size. Release chum and wild Chinook.

Reason for action: Catch estimates for the Marine Area 11 summer Chinook fishery indicate that through July 21, 9% of the harvest quota (315 of 3,379), and 2% of sublegal encounters (119 of 5,907) have been reached. Based on daily catch rates, sufficient quota remains to allow this additional opening of the 2024 summer Chinook season. Reducing the Chinook portion of the daily limit in August and September is needed to avoid reaching quota early in the season, possibly resulting in early closure.

Additional information: Year-round piers (Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, and Point Defiance Boathouse Dock, and Redondo Pier) are not affected by this rule change and remain open as listed in the 2024/25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Anglers are reminded to check the WDFW emergency rules webpage prior to fishing, seasons may be updated if encounters approach allowable limits.

Information contact: Fish Program, 360 902-2700.

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.