THE OCEAN SALMON season opens Saturday in parts of the North Olympic Peninsula.
But the openings are fairly unceremonious because Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4 aren’t the hottest spots to nab saltwater salmon.
“The Strait areas get a lot more,” Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods (360-374-6330) in Forks said, listing Port Angeles, Sekiu and Neah Bay as better spots than nearby LaPush.
Gooding added that the Pacific Ocean is too unpredictable and dangerous for many anglers.
“[Along the Strait of Juan de Fuca], you can take a 14-foot boat out and putt around,” Gooding said.
“Not many people want to do that on the big pond.”
The Strait doesn’t open for ocean salmon fishing until Sunday, July 1.
That is the same day of crabbing, too.
“A lot of people know how crazy it can get around that time, so they’re starting to get ready now,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.
“That’s the wise thing to do.”
The rules
The ocean salmon fishing regulations for LaPush and Neah Bay are the same until Aug. 1 when the rules deviate for the portion of Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
Most salmon species have no size minimum, and are available to fish from the opener until the season closes on Sept. 23.
But chinook and coho both have size restrictions and specific dates when fishing them is legal.
Chinook
■ Size minimum: 24 inches.
■ LaPush: Saturday to Sept. 23.
■ Neah Bay, west of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Saturday to Sept. 23.
■ Neah Bay, east of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Saturday to Aug. 1.
Coho
■ Size minimum: 16 inches.
■ LaPush: Sunday, July 1 to Sept. 23.
■ Neah Bay, west of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Sunday, July 1 to Sept. 23.
■ Neah Bay, east of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Sunday, July 1 to Sept. 23.
The daily limit for the entire ocean salmon fishery is a combination of two salmon of any species.
Sekiu, Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend all open on Sunday, July 1.
Hunt permit results
Hunters who applied for special big-game hunt permits can check the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website to find out if they are among the chosen.
The results of the random, computerized drawing can now be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/
specialhunt.
These special permits allow their holders to hunt at times and locations beyond those authorized by a general hunting license.
This year’s application forms included a range of options for deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep.
Special-permit winners will also be notified by email, and should receive the permits in the mail by mid-July.
Celebration
Rivers, Forests and Fish Forever, a celebration of the North Olympic Peninsula, will take place Saturday at McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend.
The event provides entertainment and education for children and adults.
It features local, regional and national musical acts, speakers and storytellers.
There also will be performances by Peninsula’s Native American tribes.
The celebration is free and lasts from noon to 10 p.m.
For more information, call 360-805-0336 or visit www.riversforestsand
fishforever.com.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lee.horton@peninsuladailynews.com.
