Coho salmon fishing opens in Willapa Bay tributaries

By Ryan Sparks • October 8, 2020 3:30 pm

The coho salmon fishing season has opened in Willapa Bay tributaries, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The department’s prediction from the two modelling tools it uses to evaluate the run size of coho in-season indicates a much higher coho run size and coho natural origin escapement than predicted preseason.

The locations affected are Fork Creek, Naselle River, Nemah River Middle, Nemah River North, Nemah River South, Willapa River, Willapa River South Fork, North River, Smith Creek and Bear River.

Fish and Wildlife staff have continued to monitor recreational and commercial fisheries as well as the hatchery returns to date. Data collected to date indicates there are remaining unmarked Chinook impacts available as well as a coho run size larger than the preseason prediction. After further evaluation of these factors, fishery managers have decided that additional changes to the preseason recreational fishery for freshwater fisheries is warranted.

For more information on permanent rules and other Willapa Bay fisheries, visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations or contact the WDFW Region 6 (Montesano) office at 360-249-4628.

Rules

Bear River – From mouth (Hwy 101 Bridge) to Lime Quarry Road (approximately. two river miles): Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit of one. Release wild Chinook.

Fork Creek – From Forks Creek Hatchery rack upstream 500 feet at fishing boundary sign: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit three. Only one may be a wild coho. Release wild Chinook.

Naselle River – From the Hwy 101 Bridge to the Hwy 4 Bridge: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit three. Only one may be a wild coho. Release wild Chinook.

Naselle River – From the Hwy 4 Bridge to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge: Open to salmon Oct. 16 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit three. Only one may be a wild coho. Release wild Chinook.

Nemah River, Middle – From mouth upstream to the Department of Natural Resources decommissioned bridge on Middle Nemah A-Line Road: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. Release Chinook.

Nemah River, North – From Hwy 101 Bridge upstream to bridge on Nemah Valley Road: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. Release Chinook.

Nemah River, North – From Nemah Hatchery barrier dam to N700 Road (46° 28.58N, 123°48.54W): Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit 1. Release Chinook.

Nemah River, South – From mouth (Lynn Point 117° true to opposite shore) upstream – Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. Release Chinook.

North River – From the Hwy 105 Bridge to Fall River: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. Release wild Chinook.

Smith Creek – From mouth to Hwy 101 Bridge: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through December 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. Release wild Chinook.

Willapa River – From mouth (City of South Bend boat launch) to Hwy 6 Bridge (near the town of Lebam): Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit three. Only one may be a wild coho. Release wild Chinook.

Willapa River, South Fork – From mouth to 400 feet downstream of falls/fish ladder in Sec. 6 T13N R8W: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit three. Only one may be a wild coho. Release wild Chinook.

Willapa River, South Fork – From falls/fish ladder in Sec. 6 T13N R8W to Pehl Rd. Bridge: Open for salmon Oct. 3 through Jan. 31. Min. size 12 inches. Daily limit three. Only one may be a wild coho. Release wild Chinook.