Actually, the sockeye run on the Cedar is almost entirely artificial. These fish are introduced from Baker Lake, and not native to the Cedar. WDFW and Seattle are pumping out MILLIONS of sockeye as "mitigation" for Landsburg--they have a temporary hatchery near the pipeline at Landsburg. The sockeye that spawn in the river, the various spawning channels and Cavanaugh Pond, are from this hatchery stock--or so it appears. After several generations, these fish have spread throughout the Cedar, and compete for spawning habitat with native chinook in the system.

The fishing closure is to protect NATIVE steelhead (adults and smolts--don't forget the little guys) and NATIVE chinook.

Here's a couple of websites if you are interested in volunteering: http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/esa/action.htm, or http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/waterres/salmon/index.htm