A draft version of the 2017-18 Grays Harbor freshwater salmon seasons has been released, showing limited opportunity for sport fishermen on the Chehalis and Humptulips rivers.

These dates are far from final. These are preliminary dates provided by Region 6 biologist Mike Scharpf; these seasons are based on forecast models and public comment and can change a number of times before final seasons are set when the Pacific Fishery Management Council meets April 7-12 in Sacramento to set final seasons.

The Chehalis River could open for a jack season Aug. 1-Sept. 15 below the South Elma Bridge. Jacks are salmon that return a year early in their spawning cycle. The limit would be six juvenile fish per day with a 12-inch minimum. Starting in that same stretch of river Sept. 16 the retention of adult fish would be legal with a limit of two, one of which may be an adult wild coho. Wild Chinook must be released. That season is expected to go through the end of the year. Starting Jan. 1, 2018 and running through the entire month the adult limit remains at two, but all wild coho and Chinook must be released. Last season there was no fishery after the first of the year.

The Humptulips River will provide an opportunity for wild Chinook. From the West and East forks downriver one adult wild Chinook can be included in a limit of two adult fish Sept. 1-Oct. 15. Starting Oct. 16 -30, the limit changes to two adult fish daily, one of which can be an adult Chinook. Nov. 1-Jan. 31 the limit remains two adult fish daily, but all Chinook must be released. Throughout the season on the Humptulips all wild coho must be released.

The proposed season on Johns River is Oct. 1-Nov. 30. The daily limit of two adult fish can contain one wild adult coho, all wild adult Chinook must be released. Last year Johns River was closed to all salmon fishing. Elk River, which also was closed to salmon fishing last season, will have the same season as Johns River.

The Satsop River below Swinging Bridge Park will open later this season, Oct. 1. The adult limit is two salmon, one of which may be a wild adult coho; adult wild Chinook must be released. That season is proposed to stay open through the end of the year. Starting Jan. 1, 2018, all wild Chinook and wild coho must be released.

Questions remain about the retention of chum salmon in Grays Harbor tributaries. Those seasons have not yet been proposed.