Action: Restores the salmon angling rules for the Washougal River to those published in the 2022-23 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Effective date: Oct. 26, 2022.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Washougal River, from the mouth to the bridge at Salmon Falls.

Reason for action: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife closed retention of hatchery Chinook salmon on the Washougal River earlier this month due to very low numbers of fish returning for hatchery broodstock collection. Returning Chinook numbers have since improved and continued closure of the fall Chinook fishery is no longer needed to ensure the 2022 broodstock collection goal will be met.

Additional information: The Washougal River weir has been removed and will remain uninstalled until late July 2023, therefore the ‘closed waters’ area around the weir is not in effect. Anglers can check the status of Region 5 tributary weirs on the southwest Washington hotline webpage: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/hotlines/southwest.

Information contact:  Matt Gardner, District Fish Biologist, 360-906-6746