Olympic National Park has released its sport fishing regulations for 2016 to 2017, with many park rivers set to open to fishing on June 1.
The forecast low returns of wild coho salmon throughout coastal Washington highlight the need for additional conservation measures in both tribal and non-tribal fisheries this fall. There will be closures on 11 rivers draining from the park that are consistent with tribal and non-tribal closures on waters outside of the park.
Specific closures within Olympic National Park include:
- Elwha River: May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017;
- Hoh River mouth: May 15 to August 31 and October 11 to November 20;
- Hoh and South Fork Hoh Rivers: June 1 to November 20, 2016;
- Sol Duc, North Fork Sol Duc, and South Fork Calawah Rivers: September 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017;
- Bogachiel River: September 1 to November 30;
- Dickey River: September 1 to November 30;
- Quillayute River: October 1 to November 15;
- Queets and Salmon Rivers: October 1 to November 30.
Of particular concern to park managers are the recent and forecast low returns of Hoh River spring/summer Chinook and Queets River wild coho. The seasonal closures in those rivers are designed to maximize protection of those populations. Hoh Chinook have failed to meet the escapement floor in 7 of the last 10 years and last year Queets wild coho salmon were at their lowest levels since 1997. Queets wild coho are forecast to return well below the escapement floor of 5,800 fish this fall.
“While we strive to provide fishing opportunities to park visitors, we have significant conservation concerns about fishing impacts on wild salmon this season,” said Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum.
Sport fishing opportunities are available throughout the park, and mountain lakes in the Olympics are among the most reliable areas to catch and retain trout during summer. For the most updated information, please visit the park’s website https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
