COHO RETURNS LOW enough to put the traditional summer and fall fishing seasons in limbo are predicted in initial forecasts developed and released this week by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and treaty tribes.
Forecasts for chinook, coho, sockeye and chum were announced at a meeting in Olympia on Tuesday.
Coho is the biggest worry, with a Puget Sound forecast of 256,000 coming in about one-third the size of the 2015 run.
Sub-totals for rivers and streams feeding the Strait of Juan de Fuca predict a return of just 8,351 total coho, 3,655 of which are hatchery stock.
That’s down from the 2015 estimate of 22,258 total coho, 8,845 of which were hatchery.
And last year’s coho run wasn’t what any long-time angler would term stellar.
Predicted returns are even worse for South Puget Sound rivers like the Nisqually, and rivers farther north like the Skagit.
“Unfavorable ocean conditions led to fewer coho salmon returning last year than we anticipated,” said state salmon fisheries policy lead John Long.
“We expect to see another down year for coho in 2016 and will likely have to restrict fishing for salmon in a variety of locations to protect wild coho stocks.”
That statement doesn’t bode well for the length of a potential summer coho fishery along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, or for river fishing on the West End this fall.
“We’re going to have to be creative in order to provide fisheries in some areas this year,” Long said.
“We would appreciate input from the public to help us establish priorities.”
To add insult to injury, the Puget Sound chinook run also is predicted to be down this season, with about 165,000 fish returning, 132,000 of those being hatchery stock.
Tuesday’s meeting served as the starting point for the negotiation of salmon seasons, known as the North of Falcon process, which wraps with Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings in Vancouver, Wash. April 8-14.
Salmon seasons will be released at those meetings, after state and tribal co-managers finalize Puget Sound and Columbia River fishing seasons and the Council sets the seasons in ocean waters 3 to 200 miles off the Pacific coast.
The North Olympic Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers will host a meeting with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to discuss potential Puget Sound recreational seasons Thursday, March 17.
That meeting will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
An online commenting tool, a meeting schedule, salmon forecasts and information about the salmon season-setting process are available on the state’s website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/.
Catch some fish
Brinnon’s Geoduck Restaurant and Lounge has upped the stakes for its 34th annual Murray Salmon Derby this Saturday and Sunday.
The angler who brings in the largest blackmouth landed in Hood Canal will now take home $1,500, a steep rise from the former $400 top prize.
Second-place will receive $750 (a $450 increase) and third will get $500 (a $300 gain).
There also is a $100 prize for the largest salmon caught Saturday.
Any fish that is caught must be transported by boat to the weigh station at the state dock near Pleasant Harbor Marina in Brinnon. Saturday’s fish must be registered by 4 p.m.; Sunday’s must be submitted by noon.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Geoduck Restaurant at 2 p.m. Sunday. Anglers must be present to win.
Tickets cost $15. They are available at the Geoduck, McKay’s Crab and Bait Shop and Brinnon General Store.
For more information, phone the Geoduck at 360-796-4430.
Plant some plants
The North Olympic Salmon Coalition is seeking volunteers to help pot 900 plants at its native plant nursery near the Chimacum crossroads on Saturday.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and parking is available at 124 Center Road.
The bare-root plants potted at this event will be planted at salmon restoration sites during the 2016-2017 winter season.
The coalition plants native trees and shrubs to enhance habitat along waterways on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Instructions for potting, as well as refreshments, tools and gloves will be provided.
Workers should dress in layers, wear boots and bring lunch and water.
To RSVP, visit nosc.org. For more information, email outreach@nosc.org or phone 360-379-8051.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
