Strait of Juan de Fuca rivers will close early to fishing

January 25, 2011

Action: Close rivers along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to fishing.

Species affected: All game fish.

Effective date: Feb. 1, 2011

Locations:

- Dungeness River: From mouth upstream to the forks at Dungeness Forks Campground.

- Morse Creek: From mouth to Port Angeles Dam.

- Salt Creek: From mouth to bridge on Highway 112.

- Deep Creek: From mouth upstream.

- Pysht River: From mouth upstream.

- Clallam River: From mouth upstream.

- Sekiu River: From mouth to forks.

Reasons for action: There is an unknown number of wild steelhead returning to these streams for the 2010-2011 season. Wild steelhead escapements to these waters over the past several years have shown a declining trend. These closures will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.


Other information: Rules re-opening fisheries in the Snohomish River basin will be listed in the 2011/2012 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet.

Information Contact: Mike Gross, District 16 Fish Biologist, (360) 249-4628, Mike.Gross@dfw.wa.gov; Randy Cooper, District 16 Fish Biologist, (360) 765-3979, Randy.Cooper@dfw.wa.gov; Kirt Hughes, Region 6 Fish Program Manager, (360) 249-4628, Kirt.Hughes@dfw.wa.gov.

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.