Salmon Fishing Reopens In Marine Area 6 March 12 - 18, 2016

Salmon fishing re-opens March 12-18 in Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait)

Action: Re-opens fishing for salmon in Marine Area 6.

Effective Date: March 12 through March 18, 2016.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Marine Area 6 within Puget Sound.

Reason for action: Before the salmon fishing season started, WDFW and tribal co-managers agreed to a limited number (2,586) of chinook encounters - retaining or releasing fish - anglers are allowed in Marine Area 6. WDFW closed salmon fishing in Area 6 on Feb. 22 to ensure compliance with conservation objectives and agreed-to management plans.

Preliminary estimates at the close of the fishery indicate that anglers incurred 90 percent of the chinook encounters for Marine Area 6. WDFW projections indicate that there are sufficient encounters remaining to allow for an additional seven-day fishery while still meeting conservation objectives.

Other information: The daily catch limit for salmon during the March 12-18 opening in Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait) is at 1 chinook, with a 2 salmon limit. All wild chinook salmon must be released. Salmon fishing remains closed in Area 6 until March 12. The area will again be closed for salmon fishing March 19 through April 10.

Information contact: Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808.