Nevada Fish Report
Fish Report for 6-1-2022
Fish Report for 6-1-2022
2022 June Weekender Report
Photo Credit: 📷 WDFW
by WA Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
6-1-2022
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Salmon fishing, Free Fishing Weekend and a wide variety of other early-summer outdoor options thrive in June
The gates swing open to many of Washington's most popular summer fishing opportunities that include salmon off the coast, Columbia River and Puget Sound, and be sure to introduce someone to the excitement of fishing on Free Fishing Weekend!
The early summer salmon fishing season will get underway for hatchery Chinook in south-central Puget Sound (Marine Area 11) beginning June 1. This is more than two weeks earlier compared to 2021 and prior to that had been closed in June since 2018.
"We are really excited to be able to offer early June opportunities to South Sound anglers this year," said Dr. Kirsten Simonsen, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Puget Sound Recreational Salmon Manager.
This summer's hatchery Chinook retention fishery in Marine Area 11 -- from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the northernmost part of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge -- is split into two distinct seasons.
The first part is open daily from June 1-30 with an allowable catch quota of 580 hatchery-marked Chinook. The total encounter limit is 432 wild Chinook and 752 sublegal fish (Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size limit). The second half is open daily from July 1 through Sept. 30 with an allowable catch quota of 2,816 and a total sublegal encounter limit of 3,373 during this timeframe. Each season section could close sooner for Chinook retention or entirely so be sure to check the WDFW emergency regulation webpage before heading out the door.
State fishery managers indicate the two summer segments were modeled separately due to the stock composition found in Marine Area 11 during June and the July to September time periods.
"By keeping the Marine Area 11 fishery as two separate, distinct parts, we can meet all of our management objectives for stocks of concern and were able to add time on the water in June," Dr. Simonsen said. "So really it's a win-win."
The fishery will be intensively monitored and catch estimates will be reported on a weekly basis. If catch rates show a significant increase, then fishery managers may make in-season changes. To view the Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas visit the WDFW website.
The daily limit for Marine Area 11 is 2 salmon and only 1 hatchery-marked Chinook may be retained. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Release chum and wild Chinook. Commencement Bay is closed to salmon fishing from June 1 through July 31.
During summer months, large schools of dogfish migrate into Marine Area 11 so many anglers prefer to use lead-style salmon jigs. Others will troll with downriggers utilizing a plug, spoon or plastic squid attached to a dodger or flasher. A whole or cut-plug herring is another option but dogfish feed heavily on baitfish, and their sharp teeth and sandpaper-like skin can ruin fishing gear and leaders.
There are many places to fish in Marine Area 11 including the Clay Banks off the north side Point Defiance Park in Tacoma; the Tacoma Yacht Club breakwater; the "flats area" outside of Gig Harbor; Colvos Passage; Dolphin Point on northeast side of Vashon Island; Redondo Beach to Dash Point; Browns Point; Point Robinson; and Point Dalco on southwest side of Vashon Island.
The 2022 Puget Sound hatchery Chinook forecast of 201,059 is slightly better compared to 2021 and the 10-year historical average. The hatchery coho forecast of 387,722 shows a slight improvement from 2021 and is rebounding from poor ocean conditions seen between 2015 and 2017.
Many anglers are also gearing up for the coastal salmon season with a decent forecast of near 1.2 million coho and 500,000 fall Chinook that should provide quality fishing in the ocean this summer.
La Push (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) are open daily for salmon retention beginning June 18; Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) on June 25; and Westport (Marine Area 2) on July 2. All areas are scheduled to remain open through Sept. 30 or until quotas are met, with species and size restrictions dependent on the area.
Other salmon options in June include central Puget Sound (Marine Area 10) opening June 16 for coho only; the Tulalip Terminal Fishery open Fridays to Mondays only for Chinook; and southern Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) as well as many docks and piers that are open year-round for salmon.
More summer fishing can be found on the WDFW website. Click here for additional information about this year's sport salmon fisheries and the North of Falcon process. Before going to your favorite fishing location, be sure to check for emergency rule changes that could arise prior to and during the season.
The early summer salmon fishing season will get underway for hatchery Chinook in south-central Puget Sound (Marine Area 11) beginning June 1. This is more than two weeks earlier compared to 2021 and prior to that had been closed in June since 2018.
"We are really excited to be able to offer early June opportunities to South Sound anglers this year," said Dr. Kirsten Simonsen, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Puget Sound Recreational Salmon Manager.
This summer's hatchery Chinook retention fishery in Marine Area 11 -- from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the northernmost part of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge -- is split into two distinct seasons.
The first part is open daily from June 1-30 with an allowable catch quota of 580 hatchery-marked Chinook. The total encounter limit is 432 wild Chinook and 752 sublegal fish (Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size limit). The second half is open daily from July 1 through Sept. 30 with an allowable catch quota of 2,816 and a total sublegal encounter limit of 3,373 during this timeframe. Each season section could close sooner for Chinook retention or entirely so be sure to check the WDFW emergency regulation webpage before heading out the door.
State fishery managers indicate the two summer segments were modeled separately due to the stock composition found in Marine Area 11 during June and the July to September time periods.
"By keeping the Marine Area 11 fishery as two separate, distinct parts, we can meet all of our management objectives for stocks of concern and were able to add time on the water in June," Dr. Simonsen said. "So really it's a win-win."
The fishery will be intensively monitored and catch estimates will be reported on a weekly basis. If catch rates show a significant increase, then fishery managers may make in-season changes. To view the Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas visit the WDFW website.
The daily limit for Marine Area 11 is 2 salmon and only 1 hatchery-marked Chinook may be retained. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Release chum and wild Chinook. Commencement Bay is closed to salmon fishing from June 1 through July 31.
During summer months, large schools of dogfish migrate into Marine Area 11 so many anglers prefer to use lead-style salmon jigs. Others will troll with downriggers utilizing a plug, spoon or plastic squid attached to a dodger or flasher. A whole or cut-plug herring is another option but dogfish feed heavily on baitfish, and their sharp teeth and sandpaper-like skin can ruin fishing gear and leaders.
There are many places to fish in Marine Area 11 including the Clay Banks off the north side Point Defiance Park in Tacoma; the Tacoma Yacht Club breakwater; the "flats area" outside of Gig Harbor; Colvos Passage; Dolphin Point on northeast side of Vashon Island; Redondo Beach to Dash Point; Browns Point; Point Robinson; and Point Dalco on southwest side of Vashon Island.
The 2022 Puget Sound hatchery Chinook forecast of 201,059 is slightly better compared to 2021 and the 10-year historical average. The hatchery coho forecast of 387,722 shows a slight improvement from 2021 and is rebounding from poor ocean conditions seen between 2015 and 2017.
Many anglers are also gearing up for the coastal salmon season with a decent forecast of near 1.2 million coho and 500,000 fall Chinook that should provide quality fishing in the ocean this summer.
La Push (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) are open daily for salmon retention beginning June 18; Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) on June 25; and Westport (Marine Area 2) on July 2. All areas are scheduled to remain open through Sept. 30 or until quotas are met, with species and size restrictions dependent on the area.
Other salmon options in June include central Puget Sound (Marine Area 10) opening June 16 for coho only; the Tulalip Terminal Fishery open Fridays to Mondays only for Chinook; and southern Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) as well as many docks and piers that are open year-round for salmon.
More summer fishing can be found on the WDFW website. Click here for additional information about this year's sport salmon fisheries and the North of Falcon process. Before going to your favorite fishing location, be sure to check for emergency rule changes that could arise prior to and during the season.
Columbia River spring/summer Chinook: The number of upriver spring Chinook continues to exceed expectations and is the best return since 2015. The updated run-size upstream of Bonneville Dam is 188,400 adults, up from the pre-season forecast of 122,900. Fishing on mainstem downstream of Bonneville Dam is open daily through June 15 for hatchery spring Chinook. A limited summer Chinook fishery from the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Bonneville Dam on the mainstem opens June 16-22. The summer Chinook fishery from above Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam is open June 16-July 31. Sockeye retention is off limits in both areas of the Columbia mainstem but allowed upstream of the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco. Check the regulations for additional details.
Puget Sound summer Dungeness crab fishing: WDFW shellfish managers are working to finalize this summer's Puget Sound Dungeness crab fisheries and hope to announce season information soon. The inner-marine recreational crab fishery is expected to start in early July.
Free Fishing Weekend: Anglers interested in fishing can join the fun during Free Fishing Weekend on June 11-12. During those two days, no license is required to fish or gather shellfish in any waters open to fishing in Washington. A valid Catch Record Card is still required for salmon, steelhead, halibut, and sturgeon. In addition, people do not need a Vehicle Access Pass or Discover Pass to park their vehicle at any public lands or water access areas managed by WDFW, DNR, or Washington State Parks in recognition of National Get Outdoors Day (June 11) and Free Fishing Day (June 12).
Shad in Columbia River: Another excellent shad return is expected and look for the run to peak around mid-June, which is open both above and below Bonneville Dam. In 2021, 5.8 million shad returned compared to the 10-year average of 3.7 million shad. Once daily counts at the Bonneville Dam fish ladder hit 20,000+ shad, it is time to go fishing. Track shad counts online. Look for shad along the rip-rap shoreline below Bonneville Dam, and from Washougal to Kalama. Shad prefer fast, swift running current. Many are caught less than 15 to 30 feet from shore. Cast shad darts; red and white colored flies with a small hook; colored beads in red, bright orange or metallic silver or gold; small crappie-like jigs; or small wobbler type spoons or spinners.
Eastern and Central Washington fishing: The Yakima River provides excellent catch-and-release trout fishing between Easton and Roza Dam -- use caddis nymph flies in the morning and dry flies in the afternoon. Small spinners and plugs also work well, as do San Juan Worm flies if the rivers are running high. Many other rivers and creeks are also open for game fish though waters will likely run high into June given late spring snowfall. Lake whitefish fishing should start to ramp up at Banks Lake as well as trout and kokanee. Sprague Lake is an ideal spot to catch rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Lake Chelan for a mix of kokanee, lake trout and Chinook salmon.
Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon: The popular white sturgeon fishery opens daily beginning June 18, until further notice, from Grand Coulee Dam to China Bend Boat Ramp (including the Spokane River from Highway 25 Bridge upstream to 400' below Little Falls Dam, Colville River upstream to Meyers Falls Dam and the Kettle River upstream to Barstow Bridge). A robust sturgeon hatchery program coupled with fish survival has resulted in a surplus of harvestable fish. Be sure to check on specific regulations and harvest limits for this fishery on the WDFW website.
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WA Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, May 26th, 2022
Puget Sound: South-central Puget Sound (Marine Area 11) kicks off the salmon fishing season beginning June 1
Columbia River: Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update
Hanford Reach: Hanford Reach summer salmon fishery to open
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