Areas of Hoh River to open for salmon, trout

OLYMPIA - The Hoh River on the Olympic Peninsula will open to salmon and trout fishing May 16, but only from the river mouth to Willoughby Creek.

The section of the river upstream from Willoughby Creek to the Morgans Crossing boat launch site will also open soon for trout fishing - including hatchery steelhead - but not until June 1. That section was erroneously listed as open to trout fishing as of May 16 in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's 2002/2003 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Fishing rules in effect from May 16 through May 31 from the mouth of the Hoh to Willoughby Creek are as follows:

• Trout: Fishing will be open Wednesday through Sunday only, each week. Anglers can retain up to two fin-clipped hatchery steelhead each day, but must release all other trout.
• Salmon: Fishing will be open Wednesday through Sunday only. Anglers are limited to six salmon, but no more than one adult, per day.

Fishing rules in effect from June 1 through August 31 from the mouth of the Hoh to Willoughby Creek are as follows:

• Trout: Fishing will be open seven days per week. Anglers can retain up to two fin-clipped hatchery steelhead each day.
• Salmon: Fishing for salmon will be open Wednesday through Sunday only. (All salmon must be released on Mondays and Tuesdays.) Anglers are limited to six salmon, but no more than one adult, per day.

Selective gear rules (see fishing rules pamphlet) will be in place between Willoughby Creek and the Morgans Crossing boat launch until Oct. 16, when that section of the river opens to salmon fishing. Salmon fishing will remain closed above the Morgans Crossing boat launch and on the South Fork. Selective gear rules will be in place June 1-April 15 in those areas to facilitate the release of any salmon caught.

Check the WDFW 2002/2003 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for further details on the Hoh River fishery.