Winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14

OLYMPIA – The start date for winter Chinook fisheries in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area), Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island), and Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) has been changed to extend opportunity later into the season, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced today.

Winter Chinook fishing in Marine Areas 10 and 11 opens four days a week – Wednesdays through Saturdays only – starting April 2 and Marine Area 5 opens daily starting April 14.

“Starting the season in Marine Areas 10 and 11 on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule gives us the best chance to fish the entire month,” said Lyle Jennings, the WDFW Puget Sound recreational fisheries manager. “Marine Area 5 is opening late due to limited moorage space and all the docks aren’t expected to be installed at the beginning of April. We consulted with the Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group and recreational anglers, who indicated a priority to preserve fishing opportunity as long as possible into the winter season.”

The opening dates are a change from the 2024-2025 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, which had the winter season in Marine Areas 10 and 11 open daily from March 16 through April 30, and Marine Area 5 open from April 1 to 30.

In Marine Areas 10 and 11, winter salmon fishing is open Wednesdays through Saturdays only from April 2 to 30, except open daily at year-round piers. In Marine Area 10, the April winter Chinook guidelines are 4,787 total encounters, 735 total unmarked encounters, and 4,055 total sublegal (Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size limit) encounters. In Marine Area 11, the April winter Chinook fishery guideline is 1,196 total encounters, 209 total unmarked encounters, and 840 total sublegal encounters.

In Marine Areas 10 and 11, the daily limit is two salmon including no more than one hatchery-marked Chinook. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. All other salmon species have no minimum size limit. Anglers must release chum and wild Chinook. The Agate Pass Area in Marine Area 10 remains open daily through March 31 for catch-and-release fly fishing only, and closed beginning April 1. Commencement Bay in Marine Area 11 east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock line is closed to salmon fishing.

In Marine Area 5, winter Chinook fishing is open daily from April 14 to 30. The daily limit is one hatchery-marked Chinook. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Anglers must release all salmon other than hatchery-marked Chinook. The April total sublegal Chinook encounters are 2,168.

WDFW will evaluate catch rates from fishery data collected each week via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season and assess whether the fishery should be opened additional days per week. For weekly updates on the status of these fisheries, anglers can refer to 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. Anglers are encouraged to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications. You can also follow in-season salmon management updates, by going to the WDFW’s The Salmon Fishing Current blog.

Salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. The 2025-2026 statewide salmon forecast meeting is Friday, Feb. 28 in Olympia. For the public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback, visit the WDFW North of Falcon webpage. For key terms and suggested resources refer to the WDFW’s North of Falcon FAQs and Glossary Information.

All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

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