2018 salmon seasons for Puget Sound are out

[BARCHASER]

For some reason, WDFW hasn't yet posted a spread sheet that shows the actual seasons in 4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10. There is just a notice that the regs are out. But Johns Sporting Goods posted a spreadsheet on his Facebook page. My wife printed out the spreadsheet for me but I am not a Facebook user so I cant post a link.

I am more than a little surprised. The seasons are quite a bit more generous than I expected, better than last year actually.

[retired11]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon ... easons.pdf

[retired11]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/

[18ftTrophy]

That is quite an improvement.

[BARCHASER]

I see you found the spread sheet. I always have trouble finding things on the WDFW website. Lot of info there but it just doesn't seem to be well organized. Too many subject headings.

After all the stuff we heard about massive season cutbacks, they come out with seasons more liberal than last year. I don't get it. The salmon forecasts for Puget Sound are actually a little below last year.

[The Quadfather]

Yeah, I thought for sure I was misreading it. I’m in areas 9 and 10, and was kinda just surprised at the length of the season. Grant it I am not too schooled on the quota numbers they gave, maybe those will be reached WAY early, then we back to dreaming about salmon fishing.

[BARCHASER]

Last year, 9 closed early but Chinook fishing in 10 lasted until mid August and it was pretty good in 10 after 9 closed, or so I'm told. Last year, like pretty much every year, I went over to CQ twice. This year I think I will not go to CQ and put the money towards dry stack moorage at Edmonds. I had my boat in the dry stack Sep and Oct last year but prob start in July this year. Coho in Sep and first part of Oct was very good for us in 10.

[FishAddict]

I'm curious to see what the regulations actually say and if opportunity in certain areas are limited by shore angling only etc. Seasons seem pretty decent and am looking forward to the 8-1 and 8-2 coho! Should be some good river fishing opportunity this year as well.

[spokey9]

i'll wait til it's closer to game time on the area i fish to really judge how the seasons are. the dept likes to manage with emergency openers and closings so much that it's hard to really see the seasons from this early on imo

[JAYDOG]

Hate to be the pessimist. But I smell a bait and switch scheme here. Get us all excited so license sales increase, then come June or July emergency closures start showing up. God I Hope I'm wrong........

[BARCHASER]

I hear you JD. I'm also suspicious. After all the pessimism over the winter, this seems a little too good to be true.

[Zerhyn]

The part that worries me for the coming season is this little nugget,

"Southern Resident Killer Whales: The governor and NOAA Fisheries have instructed WDFW to take steps to help recover killer whales. In meeting conservation objectives for wild salmon, the co-managers are also limiting fisheries in areas where southern resident killer whales are known to feed. The adjustments will aid in minimizing boat presence and noise, and decrease competition for chinook and other salmon in these areas critical to the declining whales. "

I mean they feed wherever the fish are right? In all seriousness though I feel like some of my favorite spots off San Juan will be a fishing no go this year.

If anyone knows more about where the talks are going for this I would be glad to know!