Northwest Fishing Reports

I don't see anything mentioned about the earlier proposed 4 foot leader rule for the Puyallup. Does anyone know if that rule passed?

(FYI I am a previous member but lost all of my account info and had to re-register. )

nothing for the puyallup but man skokomish got funky quick

Looks like some boots might be going home...

SKOKOMISH RIVER (Mason Co.) CLOSED WATERS - the free flowing waters of the Skokomish River downstream (north) of the City of Tacoma PUD overhead transfer powerlines. See page 124 for mouth closure.
from Tacoma powerlines to Hwy. 106
Bridge
(834)
ALL SPECIES - Aug. 1-Nov. 30: night closure, anti-snagging rule, and single-point barbless hooks required. Sept. 15-Dec. 15: terminal gear (hooks, weights, lures, or baits) and line must not be within 25' of tribal gillnets.
We each must clean up after ourselves and pets. Refer to Human and Pet Waste Advisory (page 5).
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-July 13 Catch-and-release.
All Game Fish July 14-Sept. 30: CLOSED.
All Game Fish Oct. 1-Dec. 15 Catch-and-release.
SALMON Aug. 1-Sept. 1 Min. size 12". Daily limit 2. Anglers must retain the first 2 salmon, if
legal to do so, and stop fishing. Release CHUM and wild CHINOOK.
SALMON Sept. 15-Dec. 15 Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained. Release
CHINOOK. Sept. 15-Oct. 15: release CHUM.
from Hwy. 106 Bridge to Purdy Creek
(834)
ALL SPECIES - July 24-July 31: bait or lure must be suspended below a float. July 24-Nov. 30: night closure,
anti-snagging rule, and single-point barbless hooks required. Sept. 15-Dec. 15: Terminal gear (hooks, weights,
lures, or baits) and line must not be within 25' of tribal gillnets. We each must clean up after ourselves and
pets. Refer to Human and Pet Waste Advisory (page 5).
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-July 13 Catch-and-release.
All Game Fish July 14-Sept. 30: CLOSED.
All Game Fish Oct. 1-Dec. 15 Catch-and-release.
SALMON July 24-Sept. 1 Min. size 12". Daily limit 2. Anglers must retain the first 2 salmon, if
legal to do so, and stop fishing. Release CHUM and wild CHINOOK.
Aug. 3-Aug. 21: CLOSED Monday-Thursday each week.
SALMON Sept. 15-Dec. 15 Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained. Release
CHINOOK. Sept. 15-Oct. 15: release CHUM.
from Purdy Creek to Hwy. 101 Bridge
(834)
ALL SPECIES - July 24-Sept. 1: bait or lure must be suspended below a float. July 24-Nov. 30: night closure,
anti-snagging rule, and single-point barbless hooks required. Sept. 15-Dec. 15: Terminal gear (hooks, weights,
lures, or baits) and line must not be within 25' of tribal gillnets. We each must clean up after ourselves and
pets. Refer to Human and Pet Waste Advisory (page 5).
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-July 13 Catch-and-release.
All Game Fish July 14-Sept. 30: CLOSED.
All Game Fish Oct. 1-Dec. 15 Catch-and-release.
SALMON July 24-Sept. 1 Min. size 12". Daily limit 2. Anglers must retain the first 2 salmon, if
legal to do so, and stop fishing. Release CHUM and wild CHINOOK.
SALMON Sept. 15-Dec. 15 Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 4 adults may be retained. Release
CHINOOK. Sept. 15-Oct. 15: release CHUM

the retain first 2 has been there for a while at least a few years but the big thing being " bait or lure must be suspended below a float " is going to be a circus now . Im glad to see some sorta change happen

I don't care what the law says, I'm not taking home a boot. Wasting fish is worse crime IMO.

Diverdoyle wrote:the retain first 2 has been there for a while at least a few years but the big thing being " bait or lure must be suspended below a float " is going to be a circus now . Im glad to see some sorta change happen

Is the rule for retaining the first two fish caught, in response to those targeting female fish for there eggs?

It's cause locals on the river tend to toss bare 5/0-7/0 hooks and 1 oz cannon balls do a 5 - 10 second count down then rip reel in and repeat ... There's a native land side of the river and a non native side with different fishing styles and regulations so It's a nightmare for law enforcement to enforce anti snagging

Diverdoyle wrote:It's cause locals on the river tend to toss bare 5/0-7/0 hooks and 1 oz cannon balls do a 5 - 10 second count down then rip reel in and repeat ... There's a native land side of the river and a non native side with different fishing styles and regulations so It's a nightmare for law enforcement to enforce anti snagging

I understand how changing the rule to " bait or lure must be suspended below a float " would make a fish snagger stand out even more on the water. And, make it easier to enforce the no snag rule on that half of the river it is illegal. But keeping the first two fish, how does that affect a fish snagger? I mean, if they are fishing illegally in the first place, why would there moral compass suddenly kick in and only keep the first two? I would hope it would........how likely is that?

I was just curious if perhaps "keeping the first two that were caught" rule is "also" focused at those that waste the resource by catching and releasing until a limit of Female fish were retained for eggs?

A few years backeth when the first two gudgeon ruleth was implemented, the reasoning they print'd in the regs was to cuteth down on crowding.

Duwamish Amish wrote:A few years back when the first two fish rule was implemented, the reasoning they printed in the regs was to cut down on crowding.

If they want to cut down on crowding and maybe some fights they should implement a law that requires 8 foot 6 inch distance between fishermen!

its mainly for the snaggers so they get there two and leave and the bait guys for when they get jacks they have to keep them, but some how all my jacks just happen to be natives

Been to the skok once. Hated how everybody fished so never went back.

Hey Just reading through the regs myself. Is it me or did I miss something on the Duwamish? The picture is super confusing. Is the shaded area part of the "8" or something different? Did something happen with that river/tribe?

tlang wrote:Hey Just reading through the regs myself. Is it me or did I miss something on the Duwamish? The picture is super confusing. Is the shaded area part of the "8" or something different? Did something happen with that river/tribe?

I looked at that, I think the shaded area is part of the 8 but the little picture to the side just has the "8" placed outside of the cut off line.

That makes sense. But I heard a random rumor that the tribe won some court case, and therefore regular sport anglers wouldnt be able to fish the river. Maybe this is just one of those rumors that comes up every now and then? I hope so