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Yearly evaluations show limits for freshwater fishing

By Bob Brown | For The Olympian • Published December 25, 2008

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OVERVIEW

It is the time of the year when the Department of Fish and Wildlife begins its yearly evaluation of fish returns and expectations for the upcoming year. Never an exacting science, forecasting fish returns in western Washington is like forecasting the weather. Variables such climate oscillations, shifts in ocean temperatures, El Nino/La Nina fickle behavior and survival rates are just a few variables that must be considered. About all that can be expected is a well - founded educated guess and with that in mind what can the fishing populace expect in the coming year?

Forecasts for freshwater fishing indicate there will be some restrictions, but not any great changes from last year. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council will adopt ocean salmon fishery regulations in the spring. Chinook and coho quotas have yet to be determined, but seasons are expected to be similar to last year.

In the lower Columbia sturgeon populations are holding their own and will probably be managed the same as in 2008. The shad run is expected to be strong; however the smelt return does not look good. Smelt have been petitioned for Endangered Species Act listing. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) found the petition has some merit and conducted a status review. A determination is expected some time this month.

The Columbia River upriver spring chinook return is forecasted to be larger than last year and so are summer chinook upriver returns. Steelhead upriver summer returns are forecasted to be similar to recent years, but have yet to be determined. In 2008 the sockeye return was 214.000 fish. The forecast for 2009 is 183, 200 fish.

Angler activity has been practically non- existent this week. Some action has been had on the Nisqually above the handicap area, but only the hardiest of anglers are fishing. Results have been mixed. A couple of local anglers have been fishing the Kalama, but not much has been going on in the catching department. The story is the same on the Olympic Peninsula. No activity has been reported on area lakes and in Puget Sound and Hood Canal.