Columbia rive
The third largest run on record since 1938 of Columbia River Chinook is expected to
return this year. The forecast from WDFW calls for 900,000 Fall Chinook. About 70%
or 626,000 salmon are expected to be “Upriver Brights” that will pass over Bonneville
Dam.
Columbia River Coho returns will be slightly down with a return of 777,000 expected.
Ocean Waters
255,000 hatchery Chinook are expected to return to the Lower Columbia River and
coastal areas. Coho numbers are expected to be down about 20%, but that still would
create great fishing opportunities in the ocean.
Puget Sound
890,000 Coho are expected to return to Puget Sound, up 20,000 over last year’s return.
Central and South Sound are the bright spots for Coho.
Fall Chook returns are expected to be down slightly.
Six to seven million Pink Salmon (Humpies) will provide ample opportunity for family
outings and great tasting fish for the smokers. So, get your pink gear ready!
No sockeye fishery is expected on Lake Washington, as long as the escapement goal
remains at 350,000. Lake Washington will never reach that goal as long as gillnetting is
allowed below the Ballard Locks and into Lake Union.