Hatchery spring Chinook season opens on Cascade River

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the opening of a portion of the Cascade River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook salmon. The season will run from May 29 through July 15 and will only be open on Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Anglers will be allowed to fish for Chinook salmon from the mouth of the Cascade River to the Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge in Skagit County. The daily limit will be four hatchery Chinook, including no more than two adults, with a minimum size of 12 inches. All other salmon must be released.

The WDFW has implemented a night closure and anti-snagging rule for the duration of the season. It is important to note that the area will be closed to fishing for all species on Sundays through Tuesdays. Additionally, gamefish seasons will not open until June 1, and anglers should consult the rules pamphlet for daily limits and size restrictions.

The decision to open the Cascade River to hatchery spring Chinook fishing comes as a result of the forecasted return of harvestable numbers of these fish to the Marblemount Hatchery. The four-day-per-week schedule for the sport fishery is designed to prevent gear conflicts with tribal fisheries, which are scheduled for Sundays through Tuesdays, similar to the previous season.

The WDFW is requesting anglers' cooperation with creel personnel who will be collecting catch information during the season. This monitoring and evaluation process is crucial for ensuring that conservation goals for salmon are being met.

For more information on fishing regulations and seasons, anglers can visit the WDFW website or consult the current rules pamphlet.