Chehalis, Satsop and Clearwater open to fall salmon fishing

OLYMPIA -- Effective immediately, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is opening sections of the Chehalis, Satsop and Clearwater rivers for additional recreational salmon fishing opportunities.
Here are the details:

• Chehalis River -- Open for all salmon species except chinook through Oct. 31 from the Mellen Street Bridge to the high bridge on Weyerhaeuser road number 1000, which is approximately 400 yards downstream of Roger Creek. The daily limit is six salmon, of which two may be adults. The river opens to fishing for all salmon species, including chinook and coho, on Nov. 1. The early opening is possible because of a strong return of wild coho.

• Satsop River -- Open for all salmon species through Nov. 30 from the mouth to the Schafer State Park bridge. The daily limit is six salmon, of which four may be adult provided no more than two are chinook or chum adults. There are strong runs of hatchery and wild coho in the river.
• Clearwater River -- Open for all salmon species through Nov. 30 from the mouth to the mouth of the Snahapish River. The daily limit is six salmon, of which two may be adults. The opening is possible because runs of wild chinook and coho exceed spawning needs. Anglers should check with the Olympic National Park for rule changes on the Queets River, into which the Clearwater flows.

Adult chinook are more than 24 inches in length; adult coho exceed 20 inches and chum adults exceed 12 inches.