Whidbey anglers await 6 million pinks

Published 2:20 pm Friday, April 12, 2013

Washington’s 2013 salmon fishing seasons, developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and treaty tribal co-managers, were finalized Wednesday during the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s meeting in Portland. The regulations cover salmon fisheries in Puget Sound, Washington’s ocean and coastal areas and the Columbia River.

In Puget Sound, anglers will have an opportunity to take advantage of an abundant return of pink salmon this year. More than 6 million pink salmon are expected to return to Puget Sound, where “bonus” bag limits for pink salmon will be established in all marine areas, except Hood Canal. The majority of pink salmon, the smallest of the Pacific salmon species, return to Washington’s waters in odd-numbered years.

Specific fishing seasons and regulations for marine areas in Washington and a portion of the Columbia River will be available in the next couple of weeks at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon.