2019 Puget Sound Salmon Seasons Set

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Nice bright south sound king
Nice bright south sound summer King

Unfortunately, almost all the news on setting the 2019 Salmon Seasons is bad. Yes, there are more coho this year than in previous years. Yes, we need to do our part for conservation purposes and the SRKW situation, but some of the season cuts don’t quite make sense to me.

In my previous post on what was shared about the North of Falcon salmon season setting process, I highlighted the exciting increased Coho opportunity. Also, there have been articles like this one from NOAA highlighting the Ocean cooling period we are entering which is helping the Coho numbers. I was expecting only smallish reductions in the Chinook seasons, and likely mostly in the North Sound and Strait related to Blackmouth to benefit the SRKW situation. Here’s the rundown by Marine area on what we are hearing now in the loss column:

Note: This page has been updated to reflect the WDFW news release on the exact details of the 2019 summer salmon seasons in Puget Sound.

Marine Area 11

According to Mark Yuasa Twitter: Closed June through mid-July with a reduced quota of 2,800 hatchery chinook (5,030 in 2018) and closed October through December.

Update: The season has been announced starting on July 1st, but is only open 5 days / week by boat Saturday – Wednesday. That means Thursday / Friday can only be fished from the bank in MA11.

This is a major disappointment for the South Sound. That quota of 2800 hatchery chinook will not last long. Likely will not make it through July with that quota.

Marine Area 10

According to Mark Yuasa Twitter:Hatchery chinook fishery reduced by 2 to 3 weeks and quota dropped to 3,044 compared to 4,473 in 2018.

Update: Will open July 25 and be open until August 31st or the quota is reached. This quota will not last long at all based on the opening time and angling pressure. I wouldn’t give it more than 1-2 weeks.

Again, that quota will likely not last very long even in a reduced season. A good week plus a weekend could take care of it. You better make your plans, take time off of work, whatever if you want to get in on this fishery this year.

Marine Area 9

According to Mark Yuasa Twitter: Hatchery chinook fishery until July 25 (last year’s was July 16) plus quota of 3,044 compared to 5,400 in 2018 & closed in January

Update: MA9 will only get 4 days in the summer July 25-July 29, and then will close to re-assess whether any quota remains for more open dates.

With regards to the closure in January…Go party on New Year’s Eve and don’t worry about waking up early to fish Point no Point on New Year’s Day.

Marine Area 8-1 and 8-2

According to Mark Yuasa Twitter: Closing Areas 8-1 & 8-2 in Dec & Jan.

Update: Closed to all Salmon until Area 8-2 opens Aug 16 for hatchery Coho only.

There goes my Blackmouth / Winter crab combo in 8-2 that I like to do 🙁

Marine Area 7

According to Mark Yuasa Twitter: Salmon fishing seasons include closing all salmon fishing in Area 7 in August & January

This one is just a gut punch. With the Fraser River salmon closure and the close proximity to the SRKW’s, it’s not a complete surprise, but still just a complete gut punch.

Marine Area 5 & 6

According to Mark Yuasa Twitter: Closing Area 5 for hatchery chinook for 2 weeks in Feb; closing Area 6 in Feb

Enough bad news? Looking to get geared up to make the most of the limited Chinook season this summer? Cruise on over to my article on Puget Sound Salmon Fishing for a primer and links to many of the topics related to this fishery.