Yep we have to wait another 4 days. I'm still not sure why they are waiting, in years past there have been seasons with less fish at this time. I gusse they just want to make sure.

Here's the story:

July 6, 2004
Contact: Steve Thiesfeld, (360) 902-2715


Lake Washington sockeye counts too low for fishery;
Co-managers will meet again July 9 to review data

OLYMPIA - Washington state and tribal salmon co-managers agreed today that counts of Lake Washington sockeye salmon are still too low to set fisheries.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty Indian tribes will meet again Friday (July 9) and on July 13 to review updated data and assess the likelihood of opening fisheries. No recreational sockeye fisheries in Lake Washington will occur this weekend.

Even though more than 166,000 sockeye had been counted at the Ballard Locks fish ladder through July 5, fisheries managers say it is too early to determine if this year's run will be strong enough to support recreational and treaty fisheries.

Fisheries managers agree that the run size estimate must exceed 350,000 sockeye before seasons can be set.