Because the illegal encounter limit has been reached, salmon fishing is being temporarily stopped. This is because the limit reached is 3.209% of the 203,845 that was agreed upon in this year’s List of Agreed Fisheries (LOAF). People in the Puget Sound Sports Fishing Advisory Group and elsewhere in the public said they wanted to keep salmon fishing opportunities open in August. Therefore, WDFW will suspend the fishery now to preserve opportunity for later in the summer season.
The 2023–24 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet lists the following piers that are open all year: Dash Point Dock, Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, Point Defiance Boathouse Dock, and Redondo Pier.
Anglers should download the FishWA app or sign up for WDFW rule update emails at wdfw.com so they know about changes to fisheries rules as soon as they happen. wa. gov/about/lists.
Because fewer spring and summer Chinook salmon than expected are returning, all fishing will be shut down on Saturday, July 15, in the Quillayute river system. This includes the Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey, Sitkum, and Sol Duc rivers, as well as Thunder Creek.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Quileute Tribe’s fishery managers decided that the system-wide closure was needed because returns are still falling short of what was expected before the season. As of July 12, only 47 Chinook had returned to the Sol Duc Hatchery. This is a lot less than the 900 fish that were supposed to be released. On average, about half the run has returned to the hatchery by mid-July.
To close a fishery is never easy, but we have to put conservation first, and the fact that so few Chinook have come back so far this year is very worrying, said Jennifer Whitney, a fish biologist for WDFW. For the rest of the summer, we need to make sure that as many fish as possible go back to the hatchery. ”.
Anglers should keep an eye on WDFW’s page with emergency fishing rules for any changes that might be made to this or any other fisheries in the state, or they can sign up for email updates. For information on fishing inside Olympic National Park, visit the fishing webpage.
Marine Area 11, also known as the Tacoma-Vashon Island area, is a popular salmon fishing destination for anglers in the Puget Sound region. This area includes the scenic inland waters between Vashon Island and Tacoma, providing boat and shoreline access to target migratory salmon returning to Puget Sound rivers and streams to spawn.
Here are the important dates and rules you need to know about salmon fishing in Marine Area 11 in 2024.
When is Area 11 Open?
The 2024 salmon fishing season for Area 11 has the following opening dates
- Chinook salmon – Opens March 1st
- Pink salmon – Opens July 1st
- Coho salmon – Opens July 1st
- Chum salmon – Opens October 1st
During the peak summer season of July 1st through September 30th, Area 11 is open for salmon fishing 4 days per week – Thursday through Sunday. It is closed Mondays through Wednesdays during this time frame.
Fishing regulations allow anglers to retain both Chinook and coho salmon when open. You can only catch two salmon in a day, and only one of them can be a Chinook.
Why is the Summer Season Limited to 4 Days Per Week?
Marine Area 11 is one of several places in Puget Sound where you can only fish for salmon four days a week in the summer and early fall. There are two main reasons for this restriction:
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To spread out fishing pressure over more days. This provides some quieter weekday periods for the salmon.
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To help extend salmon fishing opportunities over a longer period. Reducing open days per week slows catch rates so the quota isn’t reached as quickly.
By limiting open days and coordinating with other Puget Sound regions, fishery managers try to achieve compliance with quotas and annual catch limits.
What is the Daily Limit?
When Marine Area 11 is open for salmon fishing, here are the daily limits:
- 2 total salmon
- 1 Chinook (minimum size 22″)
- 1 additional coho, pink, chum, or sockeye salmon
Both clipped and unclipped Chinook may be retained when the area is open. Anglers must release wild coho (unclipped adipose fin), chum salmon, and all steelhead.
These limits apply to most waters in Area 11. However, there are no minimum size limits at five public fishing piers – Dash Point Dock, Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, Point Defiance Boathouse Dock and Redondo Pier. But the daily bag limit remains 2 salmon, only one of which can be a Chinook.
Where are the Best Places to Catch Salmon in Area 11?
Here are some of the most popular and productive salmon fishing spots in Marine Area 11:
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Point Defiance – Troll along the kelp beds and shoreline of the park. Target migrating salmon heading towards southern Puget Sound rivers.
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Dalco Passage – Waters between Tacoma and Vashon Island. Try trolling between the Narrows and Gig Harbor.
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Fox Island Bridge – Fish the currents around the pilings of this bridge between Fox Island and the mainland.
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Dash Point – Productive for trollers working the drop-off along the Pierce County park. Shore casting can also be good.
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Burton Acres – Shoreline area near Vashon Island ferry docks. Buzzbombs and casting spoons catch salmon here.
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Les Davis Pier – One of the most popular piers for catching salmon. Jig or cast buzzbombs and spoons.
Boat anglers tend to have the most success trolling herring, spoons, and plugs near kelp beds and channel edges where baitfish congregate. But ample shoreline access allows landbased anglers opportunities as well.
What Tactics Produce Best?
When salmon fishing in Area 11, the most effective techniques include:
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Trolling – Running herring, spoons, and plugs near shorelines and structure. Target depths of 20-60 feet.
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Casting – Buzzbombs, spoons, and jigs worked from piers and shorelines. Allow lures to sink 30+ feet between retrieves.
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Jigging – Vertical jigging with herring, plastic tails, or spoon jigs around harbors and bridges. Watch your fish finder for bait/salmon.
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Mooching – Slow trolling/drifting with live herring lowered down 30-60 feet below the surface.
Vary trolling speeds from 2-4 mph until you locate actively feeding fish. Keep bait fresh and switch up colors and sizes of lures.
What Gear and Bait is Recommended?
Recommended salmon trolling gear for Area 11 includes:
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Rods – 8-10 foot medium power. Levelwind or baitcast rods for herring, casting rods for spoons/plugs.
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Reels – Quality reels in the 30-50 size range, with line counter or lever drag.
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Line – For downriggers and mooching, use 30-50 lb. braid with a 6-8 foot fluorocarbon leader.
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Baits – Herring, both whole and plug cut, is a top bait. Also spoons, plugs, and hoochies.
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Flashers – Dodger or flasher blades give action to lures. Green/blue/white colors are popular.
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Weights – Downriggers, dipsy divers, and sliders help get lures down to target depth zones.
Check regulations for current bait restrictions and definitions. Quickly switching lure colors and sizes until you dial in what’s working is key to salmon success.
Can You Fish Area 11 Year Round?
While the most popular salmon fishing occurs during the summer months, Marine Area 11 is open year round for certain species:
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Winter blackmouth Chinook – October through April, with a 2 fish daily limit.
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Coho salmon – Late fall and winter action, usually near creeks and freshwater outflows.
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Cutthroat trout – Best during spring months, with catch-and-release fishing.
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Squid – Pier fishing for squid peaks November through February. Best after dark under lights.
So winter blackmouth salmon, late-run salmon, and squid provide fishing opportunities before and after the summer salmon season in Area 11.
Marine Area 11 offers Puget Sound anglers excellent access to target prized salmon returning to regional rivers and hatcheries. Though open just 4 days per week from July through September, the action can be outstanding when the salmon are in. Trolling herring and spoons leads to success for most boat anglers, while pier and shore casters throw metallics like buzzbombs. Area 11 sees fewer anglers than places like Area 10 or the San Juans, yet provides beautiful scenery and good catch rates for those willing to learn its fishery.
Chinook “Re-opener” Fishing Puget Sound Marine Area 11
FAQ
Is the salmon fishery closed in California?
Is the Columbia River open for salmon?
Where are the salmon running in California?
When will marine area 4 & 3 open for salmon retention?
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay), Marine Area 3 (La Push), and Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) will open for salmon retention beginning June 22. Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores) opens June 30-July 11 on Sundays through Thursdays only, and then open daily beginning July 14.
When is the salmon fishery open?
In option one, the proposed salmon fishery is open May 25–28, July 4–7, Aug. 29–31, and Sept. 1–30. In option two, the salmon fishery is open July 4–10. Option three is a season-long salmon fishing closure.
When will Recreational ocean fisheries open?
Recreational ocean fisheries would be proposed to open June 22 in Marine Areas 1, 3, and 4 and June 30 in Marine Area 2 and would run until Sept. 30 or until quotas are met.
When will the buoy 10 salmon fishery open?
· Under all ocean season options, the Buoy 10 salmon fishery at the Columbia River mouth will open on Aug. 1. In option one, the expected landed catch is 22,000 marked coho in August and September; option two is 27,000; and option three is 32,000. · The North Puget Sound fall wild Chinook forecasts in 2024 are down compared to 2023.