Lake Wenatchee Sockeye Fishing

Lake Wenatchee opened yesterday for Sockeye giving you another choice besides Baker Lake. For us in the Puget Sound area the time it takes to go to either place is about equal. We had some very good reports coming from the opener yesterday with many anglers catching their limits fairly easily. Ted's has all your needs for either the Lake Wenatchee or Baker Lake fisheries.      

Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery opens July 20

Action: Lake Wenatchee opens for sockeye salmon fishing.

Effective date/time: July 20, 2016 (one hour before official sunrise) until further notice.

Species affected: Sockeye salmon

Daily limit: The daily limit per angler is 6 sockeye 12 inches in length or greater.

Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.)

Reason for action: Based on current sockeye passage analysis at both Tumwater Dam and mainstem Columbia River Dams, at least 60,000 total sockeye are projected to be destined for Lake Wenatchee. This provides an estimated 37,000 sockeye to be available for harvest above the natural spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish.

Other information: Selective gear rules are in effect (up to three single barbless hooks per line, no bait or scent allowed, knotless nets required). A night closure will be in effect. Anglers may fish with 2 poles as long as they possess a valid two-pole endorsement. Legal angling hours are one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Bull trout, steelhead, and chinook salmon must be released unharmed without removing the fish from the water.

NOTE: The Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery may be closed on short notice depending on participation and catch rates. Anglers are advised to check the fishing hotline at 360-902-2500 or WDFW's website daily.

Anglers are required to possess a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement as part of their valid fishing license and catch record card. Revenue from the endorsement supports salmon or steelhead seasons in the Columbia Basin, including enforcement and monitoring the upper Columbia River fisheries. The endorsement has generated more than $1 million annually for WDFW to maintain and increase fishing opportunities throughout the Columbia River basin. Check the fishing hotline at 360-902-2500 or the webpage at https: //fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/rules_all_freshwater.j Information contact: Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337 (Wenatchee District Office). Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager (509) 754-4624.