Salmon fishing in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) closes on April 26; Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) hatchery Chinook limit to increase

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced today that the winter-spring salmon fishery in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is closing for the season beginning Saturday, April 26, except year-round piers (Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, and Point Defiance Marina Boathouse Pier).

“After reviewing the in-season estimate for Marine Area 11, if we remained through Saturday, we’re on track to go over unmarked Chinook encounters,” said Lyle Jennings, WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational fisheries manager. “Meeting this management objective requires us to trim the last two days off this popular fishery.”

In Marine Area 11, the in-season estimates of winter Chinook salmon caught to date indicate the fishery reached 77% of unmarked encounters (209 is guideline), 65% of total encounters (1,196 is guideline), and 31% of sublegal encounters (840 is guideline). For a glossary of salmon management terms, refer to the WDFW webpage.

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) is scheduled to remain open through Wednesday, April 30, and the daily limit will increase to two hatchery Chinook on Friday, April 25. Increasing the daily limit will not jeopardize meeting agreed to conservation and management objectives through the remainder of the season. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Anglers must release all salmon other than hatchery-marked Chinook. The in-season estimate shows that anglers have reached 8% of the total allowable sublegal encounters (2,168 is guideline).

Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) is also open year-round, and anglers can keep both hatchery Chinook and coho may be retained. Refer to the annual fishing regulations or Fish Washington® mobile app for details.

Designated year-round fishing piers around Puget Sound remain open to fishing as listed in the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules. For a list of piers, visit the WDFW webpage or refer to the Fish Washington mobile app.

WDFW will continue to analyze fishery data collected via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season. For updates on the status of these fisheries, refer to the WDFW’s seasonal Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas webpage.

Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and WDFW’s emergency rules webpage and download the Fish Washington® mobile app for up-to-date regulations.

Salmon fisheries are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. The tentative 2025-2026 proposed salmon seasons were finalized April 15 in San Jose, California, and more information is available on the WDFW blog. Tentative proposed seasons will be posted soon on the WDFW webpage. For additional details, visit WDFW’s North of Falcon (NOF) webpage. The season package now moves forward for approval by NOAA Fisheries and final rule making. Additional opportunity for public input will available soon on the WDFW NOF webpage. Salmon fishing regulations should be adopted by mid-June.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.