Winter-spring salmon fishing closed in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area)

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced today that the winter-spring salmon fishery in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) is closing for the season except year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park, Seacrest Pier, and Waterman Pier) and will not reopen on Wednesday, April 9 as previously scheduled.

Marine Area 10 was open for salmon fishing Wednesday, April 2 through Saturday, April 5.

“Several days of good weather and heavy fishing pressure combined to reach our unmarked Chinook encounters,” said Lyle Jennings, WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational fisheries manager. “Meeting this management objective requires us to close this popular fishery.”

In Marine Area 10, the estimates of winter Chinook salmon caught to date indicate the fishery reached 99% of unmarked encounters (735), 70% of total encounters (4,787), and 36% of sublegal encounters (4,055). For a glossary of salmon management terms, refer to the WDFW webpage.

During the fishery, Puget Sound salmon anglers caught a mix of resident Chinook and resident coho, as well as some migratory Chinook. “Resident” salmon are fish that remain in or near the waters of the Salish Sea instead of migrating into the open ocean. Resident Chinook are traditionally called “blackmouth” by anglers due to their dark gums.

“While Marine Area 10 is closing, several other marine areas remain open or will open soon for hatchery Chinook fishing,” said Jennings. “We also encourage anglers to participate in the ongoing North of Falcon salmon season setting process to inform future seasons.”

Designated year-round fishing piers around Puget Sound will remain open to fishing as listed in the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules. For a list of piers, visit the WDFW webpage or refer to the Fish Washington mobile app.

Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) remains open four days per week – Wednesdays through Saturdays only – through April 30 or until the guidelines are met. Commencement Bay (east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock) in Marine Area 11 is closed to salmon fishing.

Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) is open year-round for salmon fishing, and both hatchery Chinook and coho may be retained. Refer to the annual fishing regulations or Fish Washington® mobile app for details.

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) will open April 14 and is scheduled to remain open through April 30. The daily limit is one hatchery-marked Chinook. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Anglers must release all salmon other than hatchery-marked Chinook. The April total sublegal Chinook encounter limit is 2,168.

WDFW will continuously analyze fishery data collected via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season. For updates on the status of these fisheries, refer to the WDFW’s seasonal Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas webpage.

Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and WDFW’s emergency rules webpage and download the Fish Washington® mobile app for up-to-date regulations.

Salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. For the public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback, refer to  WDFW’s North of Falcon webpage.

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