Several Washington top salmon fishing rivers reopen to sport fishing

2015 Skykomish River Fishing Report
August 29, 2015
2015 Quilcene river fishing report
September 3, 2015

 

Lunker Alert!

 

Sept. 2, 2015

 

WDFW eases restrictions on some of Washington’s top salmon fishing rivers

 

OLYMPIA – State fishery managers are easing drought-related fishing restrictions and closures on more than a dozen rivers where conditions have improved.

The changes are effective immediately.

To protect fish, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) previously closed or restricted fishing on more than 60 rivers and streams due to drought-induced low river flows and warm water temperatures.

Conditions in some rivers have returned to normal for this time of year thanks to recent rains and cooler weather, said Ron Warren, WDFW salmon policy lead.

“We’re seeing lower water temperatures and river flows typical for late summer in several rivers around the state,” Warren said. “If those conditions continue, we’ll likely ease restrictions in other rivers in the coming days and weeks.”

Any future changes will be posted on WDFW’s drought webpage at . The webpage also contains information on fishing closures or “hoot owl” restrictions – which limit the hours that a river is open to fishing – that remain in place on more than 40 rivers and streams across Washington.

Fishing is open, or no longer restricted to specified hours, on the rivers listed by region below.

Region 3 – South Central Washington

Hoot owl restrictions lifted on:

Naches River from Tieton River to Bumping River/Little Naches River
Rattlesnake Creek
Yakima River from I-82 at Union Gap to South Cle Elum Bridge
Region 4 – North Puget Sound

Reopening to fishing:

Lower Nooksack River from Slater Road to Deming
Lower Skykomish River
Stilliguamish River from Marine Drive upstream to the North and South forks
Region 5 – Southwest Washington

Hoot-owl restrictions lifted on:

East Fork Lewis River from Lewisville Park upstream
Washougal River from Mt. Norway Bridge upstream
Reopening to fishing:

East Fork Lewis River from Lewisville Park downstream
Washougal River from Mt. Norway Bridge downstream
Region 6 – Olympic Peninsula and South Sound

Hoot owl restrictions lifted on:

Nisqually River
Reopening to fishing:

Quilcene River
Upper Quileyute River
Lower Dickey River
Lower Sol Duc River
Lower Calwah River
Lower Bogachiel River
Lower Clearwater River
Salmon River

More details on the actions taken today can be found on WDFW’s webpage at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/index.jsp

The department also has rescinded a moratorium on sturgeon fishing in the Columbia Basin.

In addition, WDFW is easing restrictions on the rivers listed above for suction dredging for gold and mechanical removal of aquatic plants.

For more Lunker’s Guide Washington fishing reports CLICK HERE!

 

If you’re not into fishing for salmon there are several walleye fishing opportunities on the Columbia River. Northwest walleye fishing guides are offering guided walleye fishing trips with no catch limits and these fish are known to be far better eating that salmon.

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