This is something the Port of Grays Harbor started with net pens years ago. Not our traditional fishery but a lot of folks enjoy it.



Westport Marina boat basin fishery begins
‘The boat basin fishery is the best kept secret in Washington state’

The Daily World

This week marks the start of the Westport Marina Boat Basin Recreational Coho Fishery.

This unique, familyfriendly fishing opportunity has a long history in Westport and is a favorite among anglers in the Pacific Northwest, according to a news release. To ensure a safe and fun environment for years to come, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has implemented new rules for the 2023 season.

New rules

■ Anti-snagging rule in effect, except any hook where the weight is molded directly to the hook such as twitching jigs, swim jigs, or casting jigs are not allowed.

■ Only single-point barbless hooks may be used.

■ Daily limit of six salmon; up to four may be adult salmon

■ Release Chinook

■ Night closure rule in effect In addition to the rule change, a patrol emphasis by WDFW enforcement will be in effect to combat illegal snagging and support a safe and fun environment for everyone. Anglers must also follow all WDFW regulations, along with the rules and regulations of the Westport Marina Tariff. Fishing from the banklines, piling or fences is strictly prohibited.

“The Westport Boat Basin Fishery is a unique opportunity compared to the many available fisheries in Washington. In the last few years, WDFW enforcement has been responding to increased snagging complaints and disorderly behavior. As a result, WDFW has responded by enacting the new laws … to ensure this fishery remains familyfriendly and enjoyable for all. We wish all anglers a safe, orderly, and successful trip to the Westport boat basin,” said Captain Dan Chadwick, WDFW Region 6 Enforcement.

For many, the boat basin coho fishery can be a beginning step into recreational fishing. A laidback atmosphere with no boat required, fishermen of all ages, demographics and backgrounds can enjoy the opportunity to catch their limit of salmon from the docks in the Westport Marina. Fishermen’s Boardwalk on Float 20, the Centennial Viewing Tower, and 17 public docks provide all citizens the opportunity to enjoy a working waterfront, with access from dawn to dusk.

“We are thrilled to see the public utilizing the docks for the boat basin fishery,” said Port of Grays Harbor Commission President Tom Quigg. “Public access to the waterfront has been a priority of Port of Grays Harbor Commissioners for decades. Thanks to the excellent work of WDFW and the Westport Police Department this opportunity will be around for years to come.”

Transported by WDFW, and monitored by Ocosta students and staff, the rearing of salmon in the marina has taken place since 1975 when the nets were first placed. This year, WDFW placed an additional net pen and more than 50,000 additional salmon, over and above the 100,000 historically delivered.

These new fish are “Late Coho” which means in 2026, when these salmon mature and return, they should arrive in November and December extending this unique fishery late into the year. In 2023, salmon are expected to return in early September, depending on rainfall, with peak returns over the last week of September through the first week of October.

Westport has long been dubbed the “Salmon Fishing Capital of the World.” Getting to fish for salmon is often challenging. The boat basin offers an easy access salmon fishery that is free and available to all ages.

Ramps allow handicap accessibility and having all services just a few hundred feet from where salmon are swimming by.

“The boat basin fishery is the best kept secret in Washington state. Catching a salmon from the docks and cooking it up for dinner is a special experience for visitors and locals alike. With these new rules in place and an abundance of harvestable fish, we hope to see many more people out on the docks this fall,” said Mike Coverdale of Windermere Real Estate.