OLYMPIA – As of Tuesday, anglers can fish for salmon seven days a week along most of the Washington coast.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today that new rules will open fishing opportunities at Westport (Marine Area 2), La Push (Marine Area 3) and the portion of Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) that lies east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. Ocean waters west of that line in Marine Area 4 will be closed to all salmon fishing beginning Tuesday, said Doug Milward, WDFW ocean salmon manager.
Fishing had been restricted to five days a week since the season opened. Salmon fishing is scheduled to continue through Sept. 13 if sufficient numbers remain in the quota, Milward said.
“Angler participation has been down along the coast likely due to higher gas prices,” Milward said. “For that reason, we can provide anglers who are fishing at these three ports with additional opportunities without exceeding recreational harvest quotas.”
Anglers fishing at Westport and La Push may retain two chinook salmon as part of their daily limit, but those fishing in Neah Bay may retain only hatchery coho salmon, Milward said. All wild coho must be released in all three areas.
