Humptulips, Hoh rivers to close to fishing

OLYMPIA -- Two Olympic Peninsula rivers will close to all fishing in early March to protect wild steelhead runs, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

The Humptulips River, including its east and west forks and tributaries, will close to fishing at 12:01 a.m. March 1.

The Hoh River and its south fork will close to all fishing at 12:01 a.m. March 4.

Biologists reported it appears not enough wild winter steelhead will return to the Humptulips to meet spawning goals. They also reported fewer wild steelhead than expected are returning to the Hoh River system and the fish that do return are needed to spawn.

WDFW also reminds anglers that the state-wide, wild steelhead release regulations will remain in effect for the remainder of the season.

Adipose fins, which are located on the back of the fish just forward of the tail, have been clipped from hatchery fish. Wild steelhead have adipose fins.