August 17, 2023
Action: Opens Chinook retention seven days/week.
Effective date: Aug. 18 through Sept. 30, 2023.
Species affected: Salmon.
Location: Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores)
Salmon Rules: Daily limit two (2) including no more than one (1) Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches. Other salmon species no minimum size. Release wild coho.
Reason for action: Effort and catch rates have decreased from the peak levels seen in July, and sufficient subarea Chinook guideline remains to return to allowing Chinook salmon retention seven days per week in the area without endangering the length of the salmon season.
Additional information: Grays Harbor (Marine Area 2-2) west of the Buoy 13 line are also open under the same rules as Marine Area 2. Regulations for Marine Area 2-1 changed from being concurrent with ocean rules in August, details are listed in the 2023/24 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Grays Harbor Control Zone is open for salmon through Sept. 30, 2023.
The catch quotas for recreational fisheries North of Cape Falcon in 2023 are 39,000 Chinook and 159,600 marked coho, with a Marine Area 2 Chinook guideline of 17,210 and Marine Area 2 coho quota of 59,050.
Marine Areas 1 through 4 are scheduled to close Sept. 30, but areas may close earlier if quotas are met.
Information contact: Fish Program 360-902-2700.