Lake Wenatchee Sockeye Fishery To Close

Action: Lake Wenatchee closes for sockeye salmon fishing.

Effective date/time: Aug. 16, 2015, one hour after official sunset.

Species affected: Sockeye salmon

Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.)

Reason for action: Spring chinook listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and destined for the spawning grounds in the tributaries of the upper Wenatchee River are seeking refuge in the colder waters of Lake Wenatchee. While sufficient numbers of harvestable sockeye remain in the lake, the number of endangered spring chinook currently being incidentally caught and released is nearing the ESA take limit specific to the Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery.

Information contact: Travis Maitland, (509) 665-3337, (Wenatchee District Office) (509) 662-0452, Jeff Korth (509) 754-4624.