Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) reopens for shore-based salmon fishing in August; fishing restrictions also lifted within 100 yards of Dash Point Pier

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Photo by WDFW

OLYMPIA – Anglers will be able to fish from the shoreline only beginning Aug. 9-31 in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) for pinks and coho salmon, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

“We know everyone has been anxiously awaiting news on the reopening of the Marine Area 11 fishery, and we’ve been working to find the best path forward,” said Kirsten Simonsen, Ph.D., WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational salmon manager. “Given the popularity of this fishery, and it being a pink year, it was really important for us to be able to find a way to offer opportunity to target these returning pinks and coho.”

Salmon fishing is open daily Aug. 9-31 from the shoreline only to target pinks and coho salmon returning to South Puget Sound. Angling from a floating device, other than a dock or pier that is attached to shore, is prohibited. The daily limit is two salmon, with no minimum size. Anglers must release all Chinook and chum.

The Marine Area 11 summer salmon fishery was closed on July 15 due to high encounters of sublegal Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size limit. WDFW fishery managers have been working to assess the remaining impacts agreed to in this year’s List of Agreed Fisheries to reopen for coho and pink opportunities while still meeting conservation goals for Chinook.

Fishing also reopens Aug. 9, until further notice, within 100 yards of Dash Point Pier to food fish fishing and shellfish harvest under Marine Area 11 rules. The Dash Point Pier remains closed, per order of the City of Tacoma, due to structural concerns. Because access to the Pier is closed, the closure area surrounding the pier is not needed to avoid gear conflicts between pier and vessel or shore anglers. The Department of Health has classified this area as prohibited for the harvest of clams, mussels, and oysters for human consumption due to pollution concerns.

Marine Area 11 will reopen for salmon fishing from vessels on Sept. 1-30 targeting pinks and coho only. The daily limit is two salmon, with no minimum size. Anglers must release all Chinook and chum. This rule change does not affect the planned Oct. 1-31 salmon fishery (release Chinook).

Puget Sound salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon (NOF). The public is invited to participate in this process in late winter and spring of each year and can visit the WDFW NOF webpage for more information.

For full fishery details and regulations, see the emergency rule change at WDFW’s website. Permanent regulations can be found in the 2023-24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. Other marine areas currently open for salmon fishing can be found on the WDFW website. To be notified of in-season rule changes as they are announced sign up for email notifications at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.