Mcclellan, Barbara A (DFW)
<barbara.mcclellan@dfw.wa.gov>

1:44 PM

Hi All, Attached are updates for the Willapa Bay marine recreational fishery similar to what has been going out. The catch estimate is inclusive of data through yesterday, Sept. 27, 2018.

We had staff out yesterday on the docks. We have staff out today as well and they will be out there on Sunday for the last day of September.



Also attached is an update of the Naselle Hatchery rack returns through yesterday, Sept, 27, 2018.



We will be opening the freshwater systems in Willapa Bay effective Monday, October 1 except for Naselle River. WDFW previously closed these areas to salmon fishing to protect fall chinook, which were returning in lower numbers than expected. Over the past week, active brood stocking efforts conducted by hatchery staff and volunteers have been significantly increased, making it likely that hatchery production goals for fall chinook will be met on the Willapa and Nemah river systems. Additionally, the proportion of females in the broodstock collected in these systems is higher than expected.

Returns of fall chinook needed for hatchery production in the Naselle River system are still short of the production goal. The Naselle River will remain closed to salmon fishing.

The regulation will be daily limit of 6 fish, up to 2 adults may be retained, and no more than 1 adults may be a wild coho. Release ALL Chinook. Retention of fall chinook is prohibited in all fisheries in the Willapa Bay watershed as a conservation measure in order to focus harvest opportunity on coho.

The commercial fishery will fish Monday through Friday next week, Oct. 1 – 5 in areas 2M, 2N, 2T, and 2U.

They will be required to release All Chinook as well.



Summary of marine recreational landed catch data online can be found at:

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/creel/willapa_bay/



Summary of commercial landed catch data online can be found at:

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/commercial/salmon/landings_willapabay.html





If you have any comments or questions about any of the information provided, you can call Chad Herring or myself directly or send an email to WillapaBay@dfw.wa.gov.

Thank you,

Barbara