Portion Of Marine Area 13 To Open For Coho Retention October 1st

Hatchery coho salmon can be retained
in a portion of Area 13 beginning Oct. 1

Action: Hatchery coho can be kept as part of the daily limit in the westward portion of Marine Area 13 (South Sound), which will open as scheduled Oct. 1.

Effective Date:  Oct. 1, 2016, until further notice.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Marine Area 13 waters west of a line from the southernmost point of Devil's Head (at the southern end of Key Peninsula) to the eastern boundary of Tolmie State Park.

For a map of this area, visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/attach/rc_sep2916a.pdf.

Reason for action: State and tribal co-managers previously agreed to keep the area closed to wild and hatchery coho retention due to the low number of coho projected to return this year.

The co-managers agree there are sufficient hatchery coho returning to Squaxin Island Tribal Net Pens to allow the retention of hatchery coho in the western portion of Marine Area 13, while not increasing impacts on wild coho or chinook.

Other information: All of Marine Area 13 (South Sound) is scheduled to open for salmon fishing Oct. 1.

The daily limit for the western portion of Area 13 is 2 salmon, release wild chinook and wild coho. Anglers may fish with two poles if they have a Two-Pole Endorsement. Hatchery coho retention will only be allowed in the western section of Area 13.

Eastern waters within Marine Area 13 are not affected by this rule change and will open Oct. 1 as scheduled with a 2 salmon limit, release wild chinook and all coho.  Anglers are reminded that they may not fish this area with coho onboard their vessel. Anglers may fish with two poles if they have a Two-Pole Endorsement.

More information on Marine Area 13 fisheries can be found in the 2016-17 Washington Sports Fishing Rules pamphlet available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.

Information contact: Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808; James Losee, (360) 902-2741.