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MONTESANO - Anglers must release adult chinook caught in rivers and streams flowing into Willapa Bay as of 12:01 a.m. Sept. 30, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
The emergency closure is necessary because chinook runs returning to the bay*s tributaries are smaller than expected.
The rivers closing to chinook retention are the Bear, Naselle, Middle and South Nemah, Niawiakum, North, Palix and Willapa rivers and Smith Creek.
Adult chinook are 24 inches or longer in length. Sport fishers may continue to retain chinook jacks, hatchery coho and chum salmon. Hatchery coho have no adipose fin, which is located on the back between the dorsal fin and tail.
In addition, the following are closed to adult chinook retention:
! North Nemah River, from the Highway 101 Bridge upstream to the lower bridge on the dead end Lower Nemah Road, Oct. 1 through Jan. 31
! Nasselle River from the Highway 4 Bridge to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge, Oct. 16 through Jan. 31
! Willapa River from the Highway 6 Bridge to Forks Creek, Oct. 16 through Jan. 31
Anglers should check the Fishing in Washington regulation pamphlet for other rules before fishing.
Uploaded: 9/28/1999
Uploaded: 9/28/1999