Lake Washington sockeye fishery
set for afternoon of July 29, 2004
OLYMPIA - There are enough surplus sockeye salmon in Lake Washington to open recreational fishing from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"We are pleased to be able to offer this additional fishing opportunity for the remaining portion of the non-treaty share of sockeye," said Tim Flint, WDFW statewide salmon manager.
Recreational and tribal fisheries for Lake Washington sockeye can occur once the salmon co-managers have agreed that the run exceeds 350,000 fish. This year the co-managers have set the estimated run size at 403,000 fish, providing harvestable surpluses of 26,500 sockeye each for tribal and non-tribal fisheries.
An estimated 10,800 anglers caught 13,700 fish on July 17. Approximately 9,800 anglers caught an additional 10,900 sockeye on July 24, bringing the two-day catch total to 24,600 fish. Flint said angler participation on July 24 was slightly lower than expected, leaving approximately 1,900 fish of the non-treaty share available.
"This will definitely be the final sockeye fishing opportunity this year on Lake Washington," Flint said.
The daily limit is two sockeye of at least 15 inches, and anglers must stop fishing once their personal daily limit has been filled. A freshwater or combination fishing license and salmon catch record card are required, and kept salmon must be immediately recorded on the catch record card. Fishing will be closed within 100 yards of the floating bridges and within a 1,000-foot radius from the mouth of the Cedar River.
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