The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday that fishing for salmon and game fish in most coastal rivers and tributaries is closing beginning Saturday, Oct. 8.
The closure is due to historically low flows in the waterways this summer that have created conditions that limit fish movement and result in harvest rates above expected levels, according to WDFW Region 6 fish program manager James Losee.
“These areas are closing to fishing until river conditions improve and salmon are able to reach the spawning grounds in adequate numbers,” Losee said.
Close to 50 coastal streams from the northern Olympic Peninsula coast to Willapa Bay will be closed until further notice starting Oct. 8. A specific list of rivers affected can be found by checking the emergency regulations on the WDFW webpage.
The rivers will reopen when fishery managers determine that salmon are successfully migrating upstream.
According to WDFW, fishing is open in Grays Harbor’s East Bay (Marine Area 2-2), Willapa Bay (Marine Area 2-1) and the Chehalis River downstream of Fuller Bridge.
The Lower Willapa and Naselle rivers are also open to fishing, but only for hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho starting Oct. 8.
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