Spring Chinook Must Be Released On The Lewis River

Action: Anglers must release all chinook salmon.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Effective date: March 10, 2016 until further notice.

Location: Lewis River from the mouth upstream to the overhead powerlines below Merwin Dam.

Reason for action: The pre-season forecast is for a return of 1,100 adult spring chinook to the Lewis River in 2016 compared to a hatchery escapement goal of approximately 1,350 fish. The closure is necessary to provide the hatchery with as many returning fish as possible to minimize the shortfall.

Other information: Lewis River spring chinook returns will be closely monitored in-season and adjustments to these regulations may be made if information shows more spring chinook returning than expected.

Lewis River will remain open to fishing for hatchery steelhead, except that Johnson Creek upstream to Merwin Dam will be closed to all fishing May 1-May 31. Under permanent rules, fishing for hatchery steelhead and other gamefish will re-open from Johnson Creek upstream beginning June 1 or earlier if in-season information shows the hatchery will meet its spring chinook escapement goal.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.