WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE  
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov
October 16, 2015
Salmon fishing closes on Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers
Action: 

1. Skagit River (Skagit County): Closed to salmon fishing from the mouth of the Skagit River upstream to the Cascade River Road (Marblemount) Bridge.
2. Stillaguamish River: Closed to salmon fishing from Marine Drive (south of Stanwood) upstream to the confluence of the North and South Forks.

Effective Date: Oct. 19, 2015, until further notice.
Species affected:  Salmon.
Location:  Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers.
Reason for action: The rule is necessary to protect returning coho runs to the Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers (permanent regulations are already in place requiring release of chinook and chum salmon, and the pink salmon returns have nearly concluded).  In-season run size assessments conducted by state and tribal co-managers indicate that coho run sizes are significantly below pre-season forecasts in these rivers.
Other information: The Cascade River, from the mouth to Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge, remains open for a daily limit of 4 coho only (minimum size of 12 inches).   Non-retention of chum and chinook salmon is already in place per permanent rules.
Also, for both the Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers, game fish rules are unchanged and remain as specified in the 2015-16 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Information contact:   Mill Creek Regional Office: (425) 775-1311