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Coho Limits To Be Reduced In Most Puget Sound Marine Areas

Limit reduced to 1 coho salmon daily in most Puget Sound marine areas

Action: Reduces the daily limit for coho salmon to one.

Effective date: Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.

Species affected: Coho salmon.

Locations: Marine areas 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point), 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait), 7 (San Juan Islands) 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, Skagit Bay), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area), 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island), and 13 (South Puget Sound).

Reason for action: Since early September, state and tribal co-managers have been assessing coho runs throughout Puget Sound waters. Preliminary information indicates that returning coho have a smaller body size and potentially lower-than-expected run sizes to many systems. WDFW is implementing this rule as a precaution to ensure escapement and hatchery goals are met.

Salmon rules by area:

  • Marine Area 5: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 22”. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook.
  • Marine Area 6: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 22”. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook.
  • Marine Area 7: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 22”. Release chum and Chinook.
  • Marine Area 8-1: Sept. 23 through October 31: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release pinks and Chinook.
  • Marine Area 9: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 22”. Release chum, Chinook, and wild coho.
  • Marine Area 10: Sept. 23 through Nov. 15: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Release Chinook.
  • Marine Area 11: Sept. 23 through Sept. 30: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 22”. Release Chinook.
  • Marine Area 13: Sept. 23 until further notice: Daily limit 2; up to 1 coho may be retained. Chinook min. size 22”. Release wild coho and wild Chinook.

Additional information:  Rules for Marine Area 12, year-round docks and piers, Bellingham Bay, Tulalip Bay, and Sinclair Inlet Special Areas remain unchanged.

Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2019-20 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet athttps://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/02077/wdfw02077.pdf for the specific regulations in each Puget Sound marine area or visit the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.

Information contact: David Stormer, Puget Sound recreational salmon manager, 360-902-0058; or Mark Baltzell, Puget Sound salmon manager, 360-902-2807

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