Hatchery salmon fishing available on Icicle River May 30 - June 30

A portion of the Icicle River in north-central Washington's Chelan County will be open to hatchery spring chinook salmon fishing May 30 through June 30.

The open area is from 400 feet below the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery rack downstream to the mouth of the Icicle River, where it flows into the Wenatchee River. The daily catch limit is one salmon. Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect through the season.

The month-long season is not listed in the current fishing regulations pamphlet because it is based on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) forecasts for hatchery salmon returns up the Columbia, Wenatchee and Icicle rivers. It also is based on the number of fish the hatchery needs to meet spawning goals. Current dam counts and hatchery returns indicate that there should be a harvestable surplus of about 700 hatchery salmon. There are no wild salmon in the Icicle.

Based on seasons in recent years, sport and Indian fishers are expected to harvest fewer than 700 salmon.

WDFW reminds anglers to secure permission from private property owners before fishing in the couple of miles of the Icicle that will be open. Anglers also are reminded that the head of any adipose-fin-clipped salmon should be turned in to WDFW officials. Clipped fish carry coded wire tags that provide data needed for future management.

WDFW officials note that the mainstem Wenatchee River is closed to fishing for salmon and the entire Icicle and Wenatchee rivers are closed to steelhead angling.