Recreational ocean salmon fishing set to open June 22

Olympia, WA – Recreational salmon fishing is set to open next weekend in Washington’s ocean waters.

The WDFW says that sport anglers will have the opportunity to reel in salmon off the Washington coast starting Saturday, June 22.

Wendy Beeghley, a fishery manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says that’s when all four marine areas open daily to fishing for Chinook and coho salmon.

“Anglers can expect some great opportunities to fish for coho this summer,” Beeghley said. “With increased numbers of coho projected to return, we have a much higher catch quota for coho this year in comparison with the last few years.”

The coho quota for 2019 is 159,600 fish, up 117,600 over last year.

The Chinook catch quota is 26,250 fish, which is 1,250 fewer fish than 2018’s quota.

In marine areas 1 and 2 near Ilwaco and Westport, anglers can retain two salmon, only one of which can be a chinook.

Anglers fishing in marine areas 3 and 4 near La Push and Neah Bay, will have a two-salmon daily limit.

Anglers must release wild coho in all marine areas.

Anglers should be aware that the daily limit for the section of Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line is listed incorrectly for June 22-July 31 in 2019-2020 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

The daily limit for the area during that time frame is two salmon.

Although all four marine areas are scheduled to close Sept. 30, Beeghley reminds anglers that areas could close earlier if the quota is met.

A section of Marine Area 3 also will re-open Oct. 1 through Oct. 13 or until a quota of 100 Chinook or 100 coho is met.