OLYMPIA — Marine Area 6 west of Ediz Hook will be closed to all salmon fishing from Wednesday through Aug. 15.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife made the decision because of the high catch rates in Marine Area 6. Anglers reached 88 percent of the legal encounters quota for the season by July 24. The WDFW determined that a temporary total closure was necessary to ensure there are enough Chinook available for coho opportunities later in the summer.
Marine Area 6 east of Ediz Hook remains open. There is no minimum size and the daily limit is two. All Chinook, chum and wild coho must be released.
On Aug. 16, all of Marine Area 6 turns to hatchery coho through September. Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) is open on a daily basis until Aug. 15 for salmon. The daily limit is two, with up to one hatchery Chinook of a minimum 22 inches in size. All wild Chinook, wild coho and chum must be released.
The Sekiu salmon fishery is scheduled to switch to Chinook non-retention Aug. 16, but that date could be earlier if Chinook guidelines are reached.
Peninsula Daily News
