Our local waters here in Seattle are opening back up for one additional day of Chinook retention this Saturday! The initial 4-day opener starting on April 1st yielded some great fishing, and while sub-legal encounters were creeping up there after the first four days, it looks like we get one more shot at Marine Area 10 salmon fishing this spring! Marine Area 11 will still be open for the period after for a while, so Seattle based anglers can make a short run on nice weather days and get their fishing in after the Saturday opener.
April salmon fishery in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) reopens for one additional day on Saturday, April 11 only
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced a one-day extension to Chinook salmon fishing in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) on Saturday, April 11.
Chinook catch estimates for the Marine Area 10 salmon fishery indicate that through April 4, 78% (3,507 of 4,491) of the total encounters, 38% (1,423 of 3,713) of total sub-legal encounters – Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size – and 79% (762 of 967) of total unmarked encounters have been reached. Based on daily catch rates, sufficient quota remains to allow for this additional opening of hatchery-marked Chinook retention.
Marine Area 10 was open for salmon fishing April 1 through April 4 and then closed until estimates were finalized. The decision to reopen Area 10 on April 11 was made by WDFW fishery managers, after consulting with the Puget Sound sportfishing advisory group and members of the public.
Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) remains open four days per week – Wednesdays through Saturdays only – through April 30 or until the guidelines are met. Commencement Bay (east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock) in Marine Area 11 is closed to salmon fishing. Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) is also open year-round for salmon fishing, and both hatchery-marked Chinook and coho may be retained.
In Marine Area 11, catch estimates for the Chinook fishery through April 4, have reached 56% of the total encounters (718 of 1,274), 44% of the sublegal encounters (387 of 887), and 70% of the unmarked encounters (221 of 314).
Designated year-round fishing piers around Puget Sound remain open to fishing as listed in the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules. For a list of piers, visit the WDFW webpage.
WDFW will continuously analyze fishery data collected via test fishing and catch sampling throughout the season. For updates on the status of these fisheries, refer to the WDFW’s seasonal Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas webpage.
Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and WDFW’s emergency rules webpage and download the Fish Washington® mobile app for up-to-date regulations. See the WDFW The Salmon Fishing Current blog: North of Falcon 2026 edition for additional salmon fishery information.
Salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. For the public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback, refer to WDFW’s North of Falcon webpage.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.
