Six more days of sockeye fishing on Lake Washington set for August 8-13

OLYMPIA - An additional six days of sockeye fishing on Lake Washington will begin Tuesday, Aug. 8, and last through Sunday, Aug. 13, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

State and tribal salmon co-managers recently updated the size of the Lake Washington sockeye run to about 466,000 salmon. That projected run, which includes expected returns through August, is well above the spawning escapement goal of 350,000 salmon, and provides a surplus of 57,000 sockeye each for tribal and non-tribal fisheries.

"This year's unexpectedly strong sockeye return has allowed us to provide anglers another fishing opportunity on Lake Washington while still remaining within our non-tribal share of fish," said Tim Flint, WDFW salmon resource manager.

So far, anglers have caught about 28,700 sockeye during five days of fishing on Lake Washington this summer. Anglers averaged just above one sockeye per rod during the first two days of fishing, and slightly under one sockeye per rod during the last three days of fishing.

"Overall, the catch rate continues to look good," Flint said.

Fishing will be allowed from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset each day. The daily limit is two sockeye, measuring at least 15 inches. All other salmon must be immediately released unharmed. No fishing will be allowed within 100 yards of the floating bridges. Waters within 1,000 feet of the mouth of the Cedar River in Renton also will be closed to all fishing.

Anglers must carry a freshwater or combination fishing license and salmon catch record card. Any salmon that is not released must be immediately recorded on the catch record card. Under freshwater fishing rules, anglers may only fish with one rod and must stop fishing once they have reached their personal daily limit.

More information on Lake Washington sockeye salmon can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts.htm