Road Closures May Block Access To Lake Wenatchee Due To Fires

Road closures may block access to
Lake Wenatchee sockeye opener

OLYMPIA - Anglers are advised that all roads are currently closed to Lake Wenatchee, where a popular sockeye salmon fishery is set to open Saturday (July 19).

With several wildfires burning in the area, state officials have closed U.S. Highway 2 east of Stevens Pass as well as Old State Route 209 ("Chumstick Road") between Leavenworth and the lake.

Washington State Parks has also closed entry to Lake Wenatchee State Park, the site of the primary boat launch on the lake.

"The sockeye fishery will open as scheduled, but anglers may have to wait for a few days to get to it," said Jeff Korth, regional fish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "We strongly advise they check reports on fire and road conditions before they head out."

Sources of that information include:

• Fire Status: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3937/
• Road Closures: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/default.aspx
• Lake Wenatchee State Park: http://www.parks.wa.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=167

Information on the upcoming sockeye fishery is available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.