Archive for November, 2010

Dec. 3 razor clam dig given the go-ahead


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 30, 2010

The next series of four evening razor clam digs, to start Friday, Dec. 3, on Washington coastal beaches has been greenlighted by state health authorities.

Marine toxin levels are within ranges (parts per million) deemed safe for humans to eat, so this round of personal use openings will commence on one of the five beach management sectors, Twin Harbors, Friday at 12 p. m.

All five beaches, Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch, will be open Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec, 5 from  noon to midnight for the late afternoon minus tides occurring then.

Twin Harbors will be the only sector open for digging on day four (Monday, Dec. 6) of this open. 

The Kalaloch Beach opening was authorized by the National Park Service to coincide with scheduled digs on state managed beaches.

One planned opening remains on the fall round of recreational razor clam digs,  a three-day New Year’s holiday dig that is set to start, barring a marine toxin alert, Friday, Dec. 31.

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Two north Olympic Peninsula fishing issues discussed


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 26, 2010

Two timely fish management issues on the Olympic Peninsula’s Elwha and Quillayute systems will be the subject of public meetings called by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The first is the future of the Snider Creek native steelhead program on the Sol Duc River, a major tributary in the Quillayute basin.

Under a 25-year contract with WDFW, the Olympic Peninsula Guides’ Association has underwritten production of 50,000 steelhead smolts out of wild broodstock steelhead group members annually capture. 

In anticipation of the June 2011 expiration of this commitment, WDFW is pulling together information concerning the program’s contribution to the Quillayute system’s recreational, commercial and subsistence fisheries as well as its conformity with new hatchery program and species management guidelines intended to foster restoration of wild fish populations.

Comments can be submitted via the Internet to snidercreek@dfw.wa.gov or snail mail to Snider Creek, 48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563. A public meeting is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 6-8 p.m. at the Forks Sportsman’s Club at 243 Sportsman Club Road off South Forks Avenue (Highway 101). 

On-line references for this issue can be obtained at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/fisheries/snider_creek/. The Web site includes compilations of steelhead harvest and run reconstruction (estimates of overall returns) data for the Quillayute and an overview of the broodstock production program.

The second is a proposed five-year fishery moritorium on the Elwha River that would start in the fall of 2011 as removal of two dams, the Elwha and Glines Canyon, impounding the north Olympic Mountains river begins.

An estimated 70 miles of mainstem river and tributaries again will be accessible to native anadromous salmon, trout and char species as well as their resident counterparts once these structures are dismantled.

The proposal, which has been endorsed by the National Park Service and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, includes possible cessation of recreational fishing in Lake Sutherland as a means of rebuilding a potential anadromous sockeye salmon run.

A WDFW public meeting to discuss the moritorium plan is set for Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Information Technology Building Room M-125 on the Peninsula College Campus. 

Comments on this fishing regulation change can be directed to the agency’s rules coordinator Lori Preuss at Lori.Preuss@dfw.wa.gov or 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501. Additonal public testimony will be taken in January at a formal fish and wildlife commission hearing on 2011 fishing rule amendments.

Details about the Elwha Dam removal are available at http://www.elwhainfo.org/elwha-river-watershed/dam-removal and http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/elwha-ecosystem-restoration.htm.

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Special Washington steelhead escapement & stream flow report for Nov. 26


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 26, 2010

As of Friday, Nov. 26 at 7 a. m.

All median flow comparisons are for the Nov. 26 history at each gauge. Steelhead numbers are through Thursday, Nov. 17.

With state fish and wildlife offices being closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no hatchery escapement report this week. Here is special update for winter-run steelhead:

NOOKSACK/SAMISH RIVERS

SPORT FISHERY: For the Nooksack and Samish permanent regulations, see pages 33-35 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. 

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Kendall Creek Hatchery (hatchery winter-run steelhead): no report. Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Nooksack River Ferndale Gage

  • Recent: 509 c.f.s., slight raise, now 10 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
  • Forecast: raise through Saturday, Nov. 27 then slow drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

FLOW – South Fork Nooksack River Saxon Gage

  • Recent: 471 c.f.s., slight raise, now 3,159 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
  • Forecast: slight raise through Saturday, Nov. 27 then slow drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

FLOW – Nooksack River Ferndale Gage

  • Recent: 2,270 c.f.s., steady, now 1,820 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
  • Forecast: raise through Saturday, Nov. 27 then slow drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

FLOW – Samish River Burlington Gage

  • Recent: 224 c.f.s., slight raise, now 193 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
  • No Forecast

SKAGIT RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: For the Skagit’s permanent regulations, see pages 35-37 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit winter steelhead): 34 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Skagit River Marblemount Gage

  • Recent: 4,110 c.f.s., dropping, with base flow at 3,000 c.f.s. under daily power generation fluctuations.
  • Forecast: at base flow but slight drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

FLOW – Cascade River Marblemount Gage

  • Recent: 559 c.f.s., slight raise, now 97 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

FLOW – Sauk River Sauk Gage

  • Recent: 2,660 c.f.s., slight raise, now 1,170 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See pages 37-38 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. The South Fork Stillagaumish above Granite Falls is open under an emergency order for catch and release and selective gear rules.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish hatchery summer steelhead): 12 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 25 summer steelhead.

FLOW – North Fork Stillaguamish River Arlington Gage

  • Recent: 1,700 c.f.s., steady drop, now 470 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
  • Forecast: raise through Saturday, Nov. 27 then slow drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

SNOHOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See pages 38-40 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for Snohomish system opportunities.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Wallace River Hatchery (Snohomish hatchery summer steelhead): 432 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 385 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
  • Reiter Ponds (Skykomish summer steelhead): 282 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 655 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
  • Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish summer steelhead): 482 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 497 summer steelhead.

FLOW – Skykomish River Gold Bar Gage

  • Recent: 2,410 c.f.s., slight raise, now 1,350 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady slight drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

ELWHA RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Elwha Hatchery (unknown origin winter steelhead): 1 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Elwha River McDonald Bridge Gage

  • Recent: 913 c.f.s., slight raise, now 489 c.f.s. below median flow for date under power generation fluctuation.
  • Forecast: slight raise through Saturday, Nov. 27 then slow drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

QUILLAYUTE RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach information on page 58-59 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Hoh, Quinault, Bogachiel, Calawah and Dickey rivers also open for salmon and trout. Salmon closes Tuesday, Nov. 30.  There is a weekly commercial fishery on the Quillayute River.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Bogachiel Hatchery (Bogachiel winter steelhead): no report. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
  • Sol Duc Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 502 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 381 summer steelhead.
  • Bogachiel Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 1,096 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 425 summer steelhead.

No gage.

QUINAULT RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Quinault National Fish Hatchery (Quinault winter steelhead): 1,454 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 747 adult winter steelhead.

FLOW – Quinault River Lake Quinault Gage

  • Recent: 2,160 c.f.s., slight raise, now 1,490 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
  • Forecast: slight raise through Saturday, Nov. 27 then slow drop through Monday, Nov. 29.

SOOES RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Makah National Fish Hatchery (Sooes winter steelhead): 129 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 106 no report.

No gage.

HUMPTULIPS RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Humptulips Hatchery (Humptulips winter steelhead): 25 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
  • Humptulips Hatchery (Humptulips summer steelhead): 50 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 111 adult summer steelhead.

FLOW – Humptulips River Gage

  • Recent: 1,260 c.f.s., sharp raise, now 262 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
  • No Forecast.

WILLAPA RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

Forks Creek Hatchery (Willapa winter steelhead): 3 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 24 adult hatchery and 1 wild winter steelhead.

FLOW – Willapa River Willapa Gage

  • Recent: 742 c.f.s., slight raise, now 298 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
  • No Forecast.

COWLITZ RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information starting on page 51 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz hatchery winter steelhead): 31 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 42 hatchery winter steelhead.
  • Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 8,784 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 5,061 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Cowlitz Trout Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 605 hatchery adult summer steelhead. Same week total in 2009 – 1,041 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Cowlitz River Castle Rock Gage

  • Recent: 11,000 c.f.s., leveling out, now 1,300 c.f.s. below median flow for date under hydroelectric generation regime.
  • Forecast: rolling raise and drop through Wednesday, Dec. 1.

KALAMA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery winter steelhead): 4 hatchery and 1 wild adults. Same week total in 2009 – 4 hatchery winter steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery summer steelhead): 1,439 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,228 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery/wild summer steelhead): 2,034 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,243 hatchery/wild summer steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery Type S coho): 1,823 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,533 hatchery coho.

No gage.

LEWIS RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery summer steelhead): 9,113 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 6,563 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery winter steelhead): 9 hatchery and 2 wild adults. Same week total in 2009 – 14 hatchery winter steelhead.

FLOW – Lewis River Ariel Gage

  • Recent: 5,010 c.f.s., flat steady, now 1,710 c.f.s. below median flow under daily power generation flow fluctuations.   
  • No Forecast.

WASHOUGAL RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: See page 60 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Skamania Hatchery (Skamania hatchery summer steelhead): 4,371 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,605 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Skamania Hatchery (Skamania hatchery winter steelhead): no report. Same week total in 2009 – 21 hatchery and 3 wild winter steelhead.

No gage.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Greater Okanogan streams now closed for salmon but there are special openings on sections of the Okanogan, Methow and Similkameen rivers for hatchery steelhead only. Additionally, special steelhead openings are underway on the Wenatchee and Entiat rivers. See page 82 of the 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for the winter whitefish season. The Columbia River is open for salmon and steelhead (see pages 77-78 of the regulations pamphlet) above Priest Rapids Dam.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

Wells (Wells summer steelhead): 1,339 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,278 summer steelhead.

FLOW – Okanogan River Tonasket Gage

  • Recent: reporting ice, no flow readouts.   
  • Forecast: slight steady through Friday, Dec. 3.

FLOW – Methow River Winthrop Gage

  • Recent: 336 c.f.s., slight raise, now 14 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight steady drop through Friday, Dec. 3.

FLOW – Entiat River Ardenvoir Gage

  • Recent: 165 c.f.s., slight drop.   
  • Forecast: very slight steady drop through Friday, Dec. 3.

FLOW – Wenatchee River Plain Gage

  • Recent: 1,070 c.f.s., slight raise, now 87 c.f.s. below median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight steady drop through Friday, Dec. 3.

Sources: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Hatchery Program; U.S. Geological Service National Water Information System and Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

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Free vision screening available to licensed hunters


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 26, 2010

Individual members of the Optometric Physicians of Washington, in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will provide corrected and uncorrected monocular and binocular distance acuity vision screening, at no charge, to anyone presenting a special card and a valid Washington hunting license.

This is the quick, but very important test of how far into the distance you can see clearly, the measure for which is the well-known ratio 20/something.

Besides the assurance this simple procedure imparts, it could and should be an entrée to a general vision health check-up if you have been putting it off.

YOUR CHOICE, NO OBLIGATIONS

Getting your potential nearsightedness checked under this program is strictly voluntary. There is no current compulsory, vision-related qualification or standard in law that is a prerequisite for a hunting license the way there is for an authorization to drive.

The thrust of this initiative is to make every hunter self-aware of vision limitations they may have to reduce the likelihood of the next accident happening.    

LOCAL EYE DOCS INVOLVED

According to the eye doc finder on-line at eyes.org, there are 19 participating optometrists in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties, including clinics in Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale and Lynden.

Besides your Washington hunting license, you’ll need a postcard-sized form, which will serve as a record of the check, that you can get at any fishing and hunting license dealer or you can download from the department’s Web Site at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/vision/.

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Extra pheasants mean two more releases before season closes


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 26, 2010

Whatcom Wildlife Area Manager Richard Kessler reports he has received an extra shipment of pheasants that will enable releases to be made the evenings of Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27 on all three of Whatcom’s designated release sites (Lake Terrell, Alcoa-Intalco and BP Cherry Point).

Usually the last ring-necked release of the season here is done on Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday), however, the Bob Oke State Pheasant Farm in Lewis County had more birds on hand this fall.

Kessler credited Farm Manager Chris White for the windfall plants. Despite Seattle’s near-disasterous reaction to Monday night’s snowstorm, White persevered, deciding Tuesday to risk the icy, accident-strewn metropolitan freeway to deliver the birds to Lake Terrell headquarters.

Hunting for pheasants and quail (bobwhite, mountain and California) west of the Cascades including most designated release sites ends Tuesday, Nov. 30.

This turkey time Western Washington closure is intended to clear the field for duck and goose hunters on a number of publicly owned lands where in the past the two fall fowling pursuits have clashed.

STILL OPEN

Selected designated release sites in five Western Washington counties where there are few, if any, conflicts with waterfowlers, do stay open until Dec. 15.

To find them check on-line at wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00883/wdfw00883.pdf for WDFW’s 28-page Western Washington Pheasant Release Program pamphlet.

Also, rooster ring-neckeds, partridge (chukar and Hungarian) and quail (California and bobwhite) remain fair-game throughout Eastern Washington until Sunday, Jan. 17.

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Washington stream flows and hatchery returns for Nov. 19


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 19, 2010

As of Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6 a. m.

All median flow comparisons are for the Nov. 19 history at each gauge.

NOOKSACK/SAMISH RIVERS

SPORT FISHERY: Fall salmon fishery for hatchery fall chinook, coho and wild chum now open in the mainstem Nooksack from the Lummi Reservation upstream to the forks. The Samish is open from Bayview Edison Road Bridge upstream to Interstate 5 for salmon except for wild coho.  Trout and other gamefish elsewhere in the Samish up to the Hickson Bridge under permanent rules. For the Nooksack and Samish permanent regulations, see pages 33-35 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Samish Hatchery (Samish hatchery fall chinook): 15,652 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 9,548 hatchery fall chinook.
  • Skookum Creek Hatchery (Skookum coho): 10,500 coho. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
  • Maritime Heritage Center Hatchery (Whatcom Creek chum): 3,215 adults as of Nov. 10. Same week total in 2009 – 297 adult chum.
  • Kendall Creek Hatchery (Skookum Creek coho): 820 coho (Nooksack coho program discontinued). Same week total in 2009 – 350 hatchery coho.

FLOW – Nooksack River Ferndale Gage

  • Recent: 5,130 c.f.s., steady drop, now 1,560 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
  • Forecast: substantial drop through Monday, Nov. 22.

FLOW – South Fork Nooksack River Saxon Gage

  • Recent: 1,100 c.f.s., slow drop, now 620 c.f.s. below median flow for date.    
  • Forecast: substantial drop through Monday, Nov. 22.

FLOW – Samish River Burlington Gage

  • Recent: 436 c.f.s., slow steady drop, now 172 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
  • No Forecast

SKAGIT RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: The coho fishery is now open in the Skagit. The mainstem and selected major tributaries also is open for hatchery-origin steelhead and 20-inch or larger bull trout. For the Skagit’s permanent regulations, see pages 35-37 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit coho): 3,999 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 7,465 coho.
  • Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit winter steelhead): 34 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Skagit River Marblemount Gage

  • Recent: 4,200 c.f.s., slight dropping, now 1,210 c.f.s. below median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.
  • Forecast: close to base flow but slight drop through Monday, Nov. 22.

FLOW – Cascade River Marblemount Gage

  • Recent: 1,100 c.f.s., steady, now 498 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady drop through Monday, Nov. 22.

FLOW – Skagit River Concrete Gage

  • Recent: 16,000 c.f.s., steady, now 2,700 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.
  • Forecast: rolling steady drop through Monday, Nov. 22.

FLOW – Skagit River Mount Vernon Gage

  • Recent:  21,000 c.f.s., steady, now 6,000 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.   
  • Forecast: rolling steady drop through Monday, Nov. 22.

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: The mainstem Stillaguamish is open for coho under permanent rules. The mainstem has a keeper trout rule, the north fork is under a catch and release requirement. See pages 37-38 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. The South Fork Stillagaumish above Granite Falls is open under an emergency order for catch and release and selective gear rules.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish hatchery summer steelhead): 12 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 25 summer steelhead.

FLOW – North Fork Stillaguamish River Arlington Gage

  • Recent: 3,750 c.f.s., steady drop, now 1,850 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
  • Forecast: rolling steady drop through Monday, Nov. 22..

SNOHOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Salmon seasons now for coho only portions of the Snohomish system as well as main tributaries remain open for hatchery-origin steelhead. See pages 38-40 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Salmon fishing resumes Wednesday, Sept. 1 on some reaches of the Snohomish system.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Wallace River Hatchery (Snohomish hatchery summer steelhead): 432 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 385 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
  • Reiter Ponds (Skykomish summer steelhead): 282 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 655 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
  • Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish summer steelhead): 482 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 497 summer steelhead.
  • Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish coho): 8,501 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 24,764 coho.

FLOW – Skykomish River Gold Bar Gage

  • Recent: 6,270 c.f.s., sharp steady drop, now 2,970 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady through Monday, Nov. 22.

SKOKOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Mouth upstream to U.S. Highway 101 Bridge for hatchery-origin fall chinook only in Skokomish. Anti-snagging, night closure and single barbless hook rules in effect. Chinook salmon not hooked in mouth must be released. Sport gear may not be operated near tribal nets. Monday sport closures in August plus Sept. 13 will be enforced between the Highway 106 and U.S. Highway 101 bridges. See also cautions regarding human waste and garbage. More regulation details on pages 45-46 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • George Adams Hatchery (Skokomish hatchery fall chinook): 12,891 adult fall chinook as of Oct. 27. Same week total in 2009 – 13,220 hatchery adult fall chinook.

FLOW – Skokomish River Potlatch Gage

  • Recent: 1,600 c.f.s., sharp drop, now 190 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation.
  • Forecast: slight raise through Saturday, Nov. 20, then dropping through Monday, Nov. 22.

QUILLAYUTE RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Quillayute River and Sol Duc River from confluence with Bogachiel upstream to hatchery pump-station for hatchery-origin chinook only changing Aug 31. Concurrent trout season including hatchery-origin steelhead (wild steelhead retention now closed). See reach information on page 58-59 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Hoh, Quinault, Bogachiel, Calawah and Dickey rivers also open for salmon and trout. Salmon closes Tuesday, Nov. 30.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Sol Duc Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 502 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 381 summer steelhead.
  • Bogachiel Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 1,096 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 425 summer steelhead.
  • Sol Duc Hatchery (Sol Duc summer coho): 1,644 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 8,095 summer coho.

No gage.

COWLITZ RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Confluence with Columbia River upstream to Mayfield Dam for hatchery-origin chinook and/or coho only, releasing all other salmon through Dec. 31. Concurrent trout season includes only hatchery-origin steelhead and cutthroat plus sturgeon. See reach closure information starting on page 51 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz fall hatchery chinook): 13,300 hatchery adults and 1,082 jacks. Same week total in 2009 – 9,694 adult and 1,692 jack hatchery fall chinook.
  • Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 8,784 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 5,061 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Cowlitz Trout Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 605 hatchery adult summer steelhead. Same week total in 2009 – 1,041 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Cowlitz River Castle Rock Gage

  • Recent: 18,400 c.f.s., dropping from storm peak, now 9,450 c.f.s. above median flow for date under hydroelectric generation regime.
  • Forecast: steady drop to 12,300 c.f.s. through Wednesday, Nov. 24.

KALAMA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Confluence with Columbia River upstream to near salmon hatchery fishway for hatchery-origin chinook with new bag and retention rules after Sunday, Aug. 1. Concurrent trout season includes only hatchery-origin steelhead and trout. See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery fall chinook): 2,982 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 4,282 hatchery fall chinook.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery summer steelhead): 1,439 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,228 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery/wild summer steelhead): 2,034 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,243 hatchery/wild summer steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery Type S coho): 1,823 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,533 hatchery coho.

No gage.

LEWIS RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Mainstem and lower forks for hatchery-origin chinook and steelhead now with new species bag and retention rules as of Sunday, Aug. 1. hatchery-origin steelhead. See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery fall chinook): 84 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 170 hatchery fall chinook.
  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery summer steelhead): 9,113 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 6,563 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Lewis River Ariel Gage

  • Recent: 11,700 c.f.s., steady, now 5,640 c.f.s. above median flow under daily power generation flow fluctuations.   
  • No forecast.

WASHOUGAL RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: Washougal River for hatchery-origin summer steelhead only catch and release on other gamefish, salmon season started Aug. 1. See page 60 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Skamania Hatchery (Skamania hatchery summer steelhead): 4,071 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,603 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Washougal Hatchery (Washougal hatchery fall chinook): 11,076 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 169 hatchery fall chinook.

No gage.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Greater Okanogan streams now closed for salmon but special openings in the Okanogan, Methow and Similkameen rivers for hatchery steelhead only. See page 82 of the 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for the winter whitefish season. The Columbia River is open for salmon and steelhead (see pages 77-78 of the regulations pamphlet) above Priest Rapids Dam but for now sockeye and coho must be released.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Wells (Wells summer steelhead): 1,339 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,278 summer steelhead.
  • Methow Hatchery (Methow spring chinook): 1,518 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,894 spring chinook.
  • Wells Hatchery (Wells summer chinook): 6,003 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 4,335 summer chinook.

FLOW – Okanogan River Tonasket Gage

  • Recent: 1,490 c.f.s., storm run-off peak, now 180 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight steady drop through Friday, Nov. 26.

FLOW – Methow River Winthrop Gage

  • Recent: 496 c.f.s., slight steady drop, now 166 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight drop through Friday, Nov. 26.

FLOW – Entiat River Ardenvoir Gage

  • Recent: 196 c.f.s., slight drop.   
  • Forecast: slight steady drop through Friday, Nov. 26.

FLOW – Wenatchee River Plain Gage

  • Recent: 1,890 c.f.s., dropping, now 872 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight steady drop through Friday, Nov. 26.

Sources: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Hatchery Program; U.S. Geological Service National Water Information System and Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

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Washington stream flows and hatchery returns for Nov. 5


Written by | The Bellingham Herald | November 5, 2010

As of Friday, Nov. 5 at 6 a. m.

All median flow comparisons are for the Nov. 5 history at each gauge. 

NOOKSACK/SAMISH RIVERS

SPORT FISHERY: Fall salmon fishery for hatchery fall chinook, coho and wild chum now open in the mainstem Nooksack from the Lummi Reservation upstream to the yellow marker at the Deming school bus barn. The Samish is open from Bayview Edison Road Bridge upstream to Thomas Road bridge. Trout and other gamefish elsewhere in selected streams in both basins also legal under regulations. For the Nooksack and Samish permanent regulations, see pages 33-35 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Samish Hatchery (Samish hatchery fall chinook): 15,652 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 9,548 hatchery fall chinook.
  • Skookum Creek Hatchery (Skookum coho): 10,500 coho. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
  • Maritime Heritage Center Hatchery (Whatcom Creek chum): 1,861 adults, first report. Same week total in 2009 – 297 adult chum.
  • Kendall Creek Hatchery (Nooksack coho): 100 coho (program discontinued). Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Nooksack River Ferndale Gage

  • Recent: 3,830 c.f.s., drop leveling out, now 250 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
  • Forecast: steady through Saturday, Nov. 6, substantial raise through Sunday, Nov. 7 then slow drop.

FLOW – South Fork Nooksack River Saxon Gage

  • Recent: 787 c.f.s., slow drop, now 363 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
  • Forecast: steady through Saturday, Nov. 6, substantial raise through Sunday, Nov. 7 then slow drop.

FLOW – Samish River Burlington Gage

  • Recent: 204 c.f.s., slow steady drop, now 48 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
  • No Forecast

SKAGIT RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: The sockeye and chinook salmon fisheries are now closed in the Skagit. Trout and char here and elsewhere on selected basin streams also legal under regulations. For the Skagit’s permanent regulations, see pages 35-37 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit coho): 4,000 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 6,365 coho.
  • Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit winter steelhead): 34 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
  • Baker River FCF (Baker sockeye): 14,959 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 6,476 sockeye.

FLOW – Skagit River Concrete Gage

  • Recent: 13,400 c.f.s., steady, now 800 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.
  • Forecast: steady through Saturday, Nov. 6, then slight raise through Sunday, Nov. 7.

FLOW – Skagit River Mount Vernon Gage

  • Recent: 16,000 c.f.s., steady, now 1,700 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.   
  • Forecast: steady through Saturday, Nov. 6, then slight raise through Sunday, Nov. 7.

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: The mainstem Stillaguamish, North Fork Stillaguamish and lower South Fork Stillagaumish currently are closed for the taking of salmon, but are open for the summer gamefish season under permanent rules. The mainstem has a keeper trout rule, the north fork is under a catch and release requirement. See pages 37-38 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. The South Fork Stillagaumish above Granite Falls is open under an emergency order for catch and release and selective gear rules.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish hatchery summer steelhead): 11 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 16 summer steelhead.

FLOW – North Fork Stillaguamish River Arlington Gage

  • Recent: 2,230 c.f.s., leveling out, now 570 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady through Saturday, Nov. 6, then slight raise through Sunday, Nov. 7.

SNOHOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Monroe (Lewis Bridge) to Wallace River for hatchery-origin spring chinook option is now closed by emergency order in the Skykomish River, but Snohomish/Skykomish system rivers and select tributaries remain open for the trout and summer-run steelhead season. See pages 38-40 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Salmon fishing resumes Wednesday, Sept. 1 on some reaches of the Snohomish system.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Wallace River Hatchery (Snohomish hatchery summer steelhead): 432 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 336 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
  • Reiter Ponds (Skykomish summer steelhead): 282 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 625 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
  • Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish summer steelhead): 478 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 492 summer steelhead.
  • Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish coho): 7,273 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 22,694 coho.

FLOW – Skykomish River Gold Bar Gage

  • Recent: 4,320 c.f.s., leveling out from storm peak drop, now 1,220 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
  • Forecast: steady through Saturday, Nov. 6, then slight raise through Sunday, Nov. 7.

SKOKOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Mouth upstream to U.S. Highway 101 Bridge for hatchery-origin fall chinook only in Skokomish. Anti-snagging, night closure and single barbless hook rules in effect. Chinook salmon not hooked in mouth must be released. Sport gear may not be operated near tribal nets. Monday sport closures in August plus Sept. 13 will be enforced between the Highway 106 and U.S. Highway 101 bridges. See also cautions regarding human waste and garbage. More regulation details on pages 45-46 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • George Adams Hatchery (Skokomish hatchery fall chinook): 12,891 adult fall chinook as of Oct. 27. Same week total in 2009 – 13,320 hatchery adult fall chinook.

FLOW – Skokomish River Potlatch Gage

  • Recent: 1,580 c.f.s., leveling out, now 633 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation.
  • Forecast: slight raise starting Friday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 7 then dropping.

QUILLAYUTE RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Quillayute River and Sol Duc River from confluence with Bogachiel upstream to hatchery pump-station for hatchery-origin chinook only changing Aug 31. Concurrent trout season including hatchery-origin steelhead (wild steelhead retention now closed). See reach information on page 58-59 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Hoh, Quinault, Bogachiel, Calawah and Dickey rivers also open for salmon and trout. 

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Sol Duc Hatchery (Sol Duc summer chinook): 880 adults final report. Same week total in 2009 – 722 summer chinook.
  • Sol Duc Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 502 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 374 summer steelhead.
  • Bogachiel Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 1,096 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 397 summer steelhead.
  • Sol Duc Hatchery (Sol Duc summer coho): 1,700 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 8,095 summer coho.

No gage. 

COWLITZ RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Confluence with Columbia River upstream to Mayfield Dam for hatchery-origin chinook and/or coho only, releasing all other salmon through Dec. 31. Concurrent trout season includes only hatchery-origin steelhead and cutthroat plus sturgeon. See reach closure information starting on page 51 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz fall hatchery chinook): 13,009 hatchery adults and 1,075 jacks. Same week total in 2009 – 9,205 adult and 1,692 jack hatchery fall chinook.
  • Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 9,713 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 4,717 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Cowlitz Trout Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 605 hatchery adult summer steelhead. Same week total in 2009 – 1,041 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Cowlitz River Castle Rock Gage

  • Recent: 11,800 c.f.s., steady drop from storm peak, now 5,160 c.f.s. above median flow for date under hydroelectric generation regime.
  • Forecast: slight raise through Sunday, Nov. 7 then slow drop. 

KALAMA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Confluence with Columbia River upstream to near salmon hatchery fishway for hatchery-origin chinook with new bag and retention rules after Sunday, Aug. 1. Concurrent trout season includes only hatchery-origin steelhead and trout. See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery spring chinook): 467 hatchery adults as of Oct. 13. Same week total in 2009 – 167 hatchery spring chinook.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery fall chinook): 2,982 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 4,272 hatchery fall chinook.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery summer steelhead): 1,437 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,277 hatchery summer steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery/wild summer steelhead): 2,004 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,200 hatchery/wild summer steelhead.
  • Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery Type S coho): 1,823 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,533 hatchery coho.

No gage.

LEWIS RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: Mainstem and lower forks for hatchery-origin chinook now with new species bag and retention rules as of Sunday, Aug. 1. Concurrent trout season is catch and release except for hatchery-origin steelhead. See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery spring chinook): 1,828 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,045 hatchery spring chinook.
  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery fall chinook): 73 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 169 hatchery fall chinook.
  • Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery summer steelhead): 8,894 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 6,444 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Lewis River Ariel Gage

  • Recent: 9,470 c.f.s., steady, now 5,530 c.f.s. above median flow under daily power generation flow fluctuations.   
  • No forecast.

WASHOUGAL RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: Washougal River for hatchery-origin summer steelhead only catch and release on other gamefish, salmon season started Aug. 1. See page 60 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Skamania Hatchery (Skamania hatchery summer steelhead): 4,071 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,523 hatchery summer steelhead.

No gage.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Okanogan River only, from Highway 97 Bridge near Brewster upstream to below Zosel Dam (Lake Osoyoos control), limited to the taking of chinook salmon, changing Sept. 15. Methow stock information is for reference, the Methow River is closed to salmon fishing but open for steelhead. Concurrent gamefish season also open. See page 82 of the 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. The Columbia River is open for salmon and steelhead (see pages 77-78 of the regulations pamphlet) above Priest Rapids Dam but for now sockeye and coho must be released.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

  • Wells (Wells summer steelhead): 1,339 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,278 summer steelhead.
  • Methow Hatchery (Methow spring chinook): 1,518 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,894 spring chinook.
  • Wells Hatchery (Wells summer chinook): 6,003 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 4,335 summer chinook.

FLOW – Okanogan River Tonasket Gage

  • Recent: 1,430 c.f.s., storm run-off peak, now 180 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight drop through Tuesday, Nov. 9 then slight raise through Friday, Nov. 12.

FLOW – Methow River Winthrop Gage

  • Recent: 392 c.f.s., slight steady drop, now 113 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: slight drop through Tuesday, Nov. 9 then slight raise through Friday, Nov. 12.

FLOW – Entiat River Ardenvoir Gage

  • Recent: 169 c.f.s., slight raise.   
  • Forecast: slight raise through Sunday, Nov. 7, then slight drop to steady through Friday, Nov. 12.

FLOW – Wenatchee River Plain Gage

  • Recent: 1,740 c.f.s., dropping, now 872 c.f.s. above median flow.   
  • Forecast: raise through Sunday, Nov. 7, then slight drop to steady through Friday, Nov. 12.

Sources: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Hatchery Program; U.S. Geological Service National Water Information System and Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

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