OUTDOORS: Low stream flow delays Dungeness River fishing opener
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, October 8, 2014
SEQUIM — Low stream flow on the Dungeness River will delay the opening of fishing season at least a week on the Dungeness River.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the delay, which affects the Dungeness River from the mouth upstream to the hatchery intake pipe at river mile 11.3, on Tuesday.
The lower portion of the Dungeness would have opened for coho, trout and other game fish today.
Current water flow in the Dungeness River is well below the mean flow for early October.
Must protect chinook
This lack of flow leaves Dungeness chinook salmon, an Endangered Species Act listed stock within the Puget Sound Evolutionarily Significant Unit, particularly susceptible to disturbance as their spawning activities conclude.
It is anticipated that rainfall sufficient to recharge the system and draw coho into the river will occur by Thursday, Oct. 16, otherwise this closure may be extended.
Daily limit of four coho
When fishing does open in the lower stretches of the Dungeness, anglers can keep a daily limit of four coho of a minimum 12 inches in length.
The salmon season on the lower Dungeness will stretch through the fall and wrap on Dec. 31.
The state fishing regulation pamphlet is available by visiting tinyurl.com/PDN-StateFishRules.
