Anyone heard when the Sockeye season gets going? Should be pretty soon. Also, there is a website with the fish counts at the Ballard Locks, which I accidentally deleted from my bookmarks - Anybody remember what it is. Thanks for any info!

Just found the Sockeye counts -http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts.htm

Here's the link as a clickable link:

Sockeye count

We are at 84K vs 60K in 2002 (the last season). So I think it will happen. I believe WDFW was going to make an announcement tomorrow (I read it somewhere). Cross your fingers!

the web sit for the fish counts is www.wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts.htm

i hope it opens but i think the run is going to be to small this year oh well there's always next year.

Well, here's what Olympia says -

June 30, 2004
Contact: Tim Flint, (360) 902-2728


It's still too early to set Lake Washington sockeye season

OLYMPIA - Anglers eager to fish for sockeye salmon in Lake Washington will have to wait a little longer for word of a possible season.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty Indian tribal salmon managers met Wednesday (June 30) to review the progress of this year's Lake Washington sockeye salmon run and determined that it is too early to accurately estimate the total run size, said Tim Flint, WDFW statewide salmon manager.

Through June 29, more than 91,000 sockeye salmon had been counted at the Ballard Locks fish ladder. Fisheries managers say the total run size estimate must be greater than 350,000 fish in order to set fishing seasons. The preseason forecast called for a total run size of approximately 486,000 sockeye.

No sport or tribal commercial fisheries for Lake Washington sockeye salmon are scheduled at this time. However, Flint said a small amount of tribal ceremonial and subsistence fishing will occur this week.

The salmon co-managers will meet July 6 to review run size data. Another announcement on the possibility of sockeye fisheries will be made following the July 6 meeting.

Daily counts of Lake Washington sockeye from the Ballard Locks are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts.htm on the Internet.

Don't forget to watch for the lake Wenatchee sockeye announcement. Last I heard that lake was getting a record run coming through and we may get a season there. It's a great place to fish, except for the tiny ramp and parking area.

Is this strictly boat fishing or is there places to go to catch sockeye from the bank?

Strictly boats/trolling as far as I know.

I went to the Ballard locks on Friday. There were a ton of sockeye moving through the fish ladder.

Well, here's the latest. Hurry up and wait, I guess -

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.

WDFW maintains a web page with updated information on the Lake Washington sockeye counts, at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts.htm on the Internet