Salmon fishing re-opens Feb. 16 in marine areas 8-1, 8-2, and 9

January 11, 2018

Action: Marine areas 8-1, 8-2 and 9 will re-open to salmon fishing.

Effective Date: Feb. 16, 2018.

Species affected: Salmon

Location: Marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gamble), and 9 (Admiralty Inlet) within Puget Sound.

Reason for action: Test fishing data indicates there are still numerous juvenile (sublegal-sized) chinook salmon present in these marine areas, although they are approaching legal size. WDFW temporarily closed these areas (November 13 through February 15) until more legal chinook become available to harvest.

Other information: WDFW biologists will continue to monitor these fisheries and coordinate with the Puget Sound Sportfishing Advisory Group if any further action is necessary.

The daily salmon limit will be one salmon, release coho and wild chinook.

Edmonds Public Fishing Pier is unaffected by this rule change and specific regulations can be found in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Information contact: Mark Baltzell, (360) 902-2807; Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808

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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.