Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) salmon fishery update

August 4, 2023

Action: Closes retention of Chinook and changes coho daily limit to one (1). Clarifies chum retention rules and West Elliott Bay seasons.

Species affected: Chinook and coho salmon.

Effective dates, locations, and rules: 

Marine Area 10, except Elliott Bay, and year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier, Seacrest Pier, and Waterman Pier):

  • Immediately through Sept. 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit two including no more than one coho. No minimum size. Release Chinook and chum.
  • Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2023: Salmon daily limit two including no more than one coho. No minimum size. Release Chinook.

Elliott Bay, waters of Elliott Bay east of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point, up to the mouth of the Duwamish River, and including Harbor Island:

  • Aug. 18 through Sept. 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit two including no more than one coho. No minimum size. Release Chinook and chum.
  • Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2023: Salmon daily limit two including no more than one coho. No minimum size. Release Chinook.

Reason for action: The current estimate of Chinook sublegal encounters for the summer fishery is 9,471 of 7,748 total sublegal encounters (122%) agreed to in this year’s List of Agreed Fisheries (LOAF). Therefore, WDFW will close the fishery to Chinook retention.

Additionally, the current estimate of coho catch for the month of July is 11,665 coho.  The preseason expected catch of coho in the month of July was 4,810 coho, almost 250% above the expected catch. The retention limit for coho is being reduced to minimize impacts on coho stocks of concern.

Additional information: The East Elliott Bay Chinook retention fishery from Aug. 4 to 12:00 p.m. Aug. 7, remains open as listed in the 2023/24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier, Seacrest Pier, and Waterman Pier) also remain open as listed in the sport fishing rules pamphlet.

Anglers can be notified of any Fishing Rule Changes by email, as soon as they are announced, by signing up for rule change notices at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.

Information contact:  Fish Program, 360-902-2700.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.