What is the reasoning for Coho retention in these areas. You can keep native Coho in area 11 but not in area 13. I am new to the area, so I'm sure there's a reason. Most people trolling thru the narrows launch at point defiance (area 11) so I'm sure when they get to the southern side of the bridge (area 13) and catch native fish they keep them knowing the fish check if any will be done in area 11 when they return to the launch. You can't access the Gig Harbor side of the narrows bridge anymore with the construction going on. Just wondering on the logic, it's the same fish moving through the narrows. And second the ethical question how does a troller deal with fish caught in area 11 if he launches and lands in area 13 or vice versa?

SilverKing:

See page 23 of the Regs booklet to answer part of your question(s):

"You may not fish for or harvest fish... in an area with catch in your possession that does not meet the rules of that area. You may, however, pass through such an area without stopping to fish."

So, for a fisherman who launches in 13, but fishes in 11 and keeps an unclipped coho from 11, and later lands at 13, everything would be legal if he does NOT stop to fish in 13.

For the fisherman who launches from 11, and fishes in 13 and keeps an unclipped coho from 13, and then returns to 11, there would be a violation of the law. He fished for and had "possession of" an unlawful fish while in 13.

The reasoning for this law, I believe, is to prevent Yahoos/liars from fishing waters that are closed for a particular species, and then later claim when checked on the water that the fish were caught from some other, lawful area.

If you launch in MA13, fish MA11 and return with fish, you'll be covered if you filled your Catch Record Card out correctly..

If you launch in MA13, fish MA11 and return with fish, you'll be covered if you filled your Catch Record Card out correctly..

Thnx for clarifying that point, I understand that once a native Coho is retained a troller should no longer fish south of the bridge, and I'm sure it never happens. But again I'm still unsure of why a few hundred yards seperates a legal fish from illegal. Do the areas rotate annually, could area 13 be able to keep wild Coho and area 11 not next year, wouldn't it be easier to adjust the time of the season so whether your fishing at the mouth of the narrows or the sides of the narrows you can keep the same fish. I realize that opening more areas will result in more fish harvested, but would think there would be a more equitable way to ensure the desired number of fish get to spawn. Wouldn't it make more sense to close all areas to native harvesting until river returns are met then open all areas to retention of either clipped or native, taking the pressure of areas like Pt Defiance?

I guess there's a tough balancing act with opening areas to retention of wild fish and making both the anglers happy and ensuring healthy future returns of the fish. In hind site I should be pretty satisfied that I can head out in the mornings and fish with only a few if any other people around, even if I have to release the same fish somone a few hundred yards up the channel could retain.

Be shure to look at the fish before you release it alongside the boat. The other day my uncle thought he had a silver near the boat and I thought for sure the thing was a chum, it spit the barbless hook so we'll never know. I surely didn't see any spots on the back and it looked to have a smaller tail area.