Bob,

Favored net mesh for steelhead fishing typically ranges from 5" - 6"; for sockeye it's usually 5" - 5 1/2". Stock protection in most net fisheries is achieved by limiting fishing time (days & hours/ week). If two stocks equally subject to the same fishing gear are of dissimilar run strength (allowable exploitation rate) then fishing time SHOULD be limited to the amount of effort that can be tolerated by the weaker stock. The realities of commercial fishery management doesn't always follow that axiom. You probably knew that.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.