Washington Reopens to Crabbing
Each week we round-up the top fishing news from the Northwest and beyond. Do you have a news tip? E-mail us at news /at/ salmonuniversity.com.
Washington Reopens to Crabbing
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) last week reopened the recreational crab fishery on the state’s northern coast. Earlier this month, the WDFW closed crabbing on the northern coast – from Point Chehalis north to the Queets River – when levels of marine toxins posed a threat to public health. That area, including Grays Harbor, is now open.
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) says it intends to continue to test shellfish in all coastal marine waters. Harvesters should check for closures on DOH’s shellfish safety webpage.
Idaho Fall Chinook, Coho Seasons Begin September 1
Fall chinook fishing will open on parts of the Snake, Clearwater, and Salmon rivers in Idaho on September 1, the Spokesman-Review reports. Fall coho fishing will open on parts of the Clearwater River at the same time.
The 2015 fall chinook forecast is 37,000 hatchery and naturally-produced fall chinook to the Snake River basin.
The Snake River will open for fall chinook fishing from the Washington-Idaho border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. Washington also is opening its stretch of the Snake to fall chinook harvest on Sept. 1.
Only adipose-clipped salmon may be kept. The daily bag limit for adult fall chinook is six while the possession limit is 18. There is no season limit.
Salmon Tales Returns to Westport
The Salmon Tales festival, perhaps the Northwest’s largest event dedicated to salmon, returns to Westport, Wash. for its fourth year at the end of September. Scheduled to take place September 26 and 27, 2015, the event includes a fishing derby, smoked salmon competition, a market with salmon-related vendors, live music, and a beer garden hosted by the Westport Brewing Company. More information on the Salmon Tales festival can be found on their website.
Heap Receives Award
Richard Heap receives the Dave Liscia Volunteer Award from ODFW Director Curt Melcher.
Brookings, Oregon resident Richard Heap recently received the Dave Liscia Volunteer Award from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The award is presented annually to outstanding volunteers in honor of Dave Liscia, a former ODFW employee who coordinated many volunteer efforts and was killed in a car accident while on the job.
According to the ODFW, for the past 11 years, Heap has been involved in Oregon fisheries as a volunteer in the Brookings area and as the current Vice Chair of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) Salmon Advisory Subpanel.
“His recommendations have a direct and positive impact on our resources and local economy,” said John Weber, ODFW STEP biologist and one of several people who nominated Heap for the Liscia Award, in a written statement. “He’s dedicated to keeping the local community informed and reports back on the status of salmon stocks and fishery zone information.”
