FORKS — Recreational fishing will reopen in the Quillayute River system Sunday under permanent rules.
Low hatchery rack returns of spring/summer chinook to the Sol Duc Hatchery prompted a fishing closure July 15.
As of Sept. 21, the hatchery has reached approximately 70 percent of the chinook broodstock goal.
Broodstock collection is now sufficient to allow for fall fishing opportunities listed in the 2023/24 Washington State Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Locations opening under permanent rules:
• Bogachiel River (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary.
• Calawah River (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary.
• Calawah River, North Fork (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream.
• Calawah River, South Fork (Clallam County), from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary.
• Dickey River (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream.
• Dickey River, East and West forks (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream.
• Quillayute River (Clallam County), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers.
• Sitkum River (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream.
• Sol Duc River (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary.
• Thunder Creek (Clallam County), including all tributaries, from the mouth upstream.
Razor clam openings
OLYMPIA — The first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis begin Friday.
“The first razor clam digs of the season will begin on some beaches this Friday, but unfortunately we’ll have to wait a little longer to harvest at Mocrocks,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a coastal shellfish biologist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Domoic acid toxicity levels remain elevated on the other beaches that will open, and ocean conditions can change quickly. For that reason, diggers should continually check our website before digging to confirm that beaches remain open as we continue to closely test and monitor the situation.”
Domoic acid levels at Mocrocks have exceeded the health guidelines set by the state Department of Health (WDOH) officials for safe consumption, so that beach remains closed to clamming at this time.
The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the WDOH showed razor clams are safe to eat:
• Friday; 7:18 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors.
• Saturday; 8:04 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Sunday, 8:49 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors.
• Monday, 9:36 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
