Northwest Fishing Reports

I think I ask this question every "humpy year", and should know, but the regs change so often that I don't care to spend an hour hunting through the WDFW maze. I want to fish the Snohomish River, Sky River and avoid a ticket. I know I can catch up to 4 pinks, or 2 silvers and 2 pinks. What about kings? I can't remember if I need a salmon card or not? Single hook and barbless right? Every humpy year I bet I see 50 people getting ticketed by WDFW. It shouldn't be that difficult, but it apparently is for many me included!

Mike, it would be great if someone could do up a sticky post on the front home page with a general run down of rules and requirements for pinks. Maybe there already is and I missed it?

It really isn't that hard to decipher and it can't take more than 5 minutes to open it up and look for the river you want to fish.

Mike already has the regs linked. If you go to "HOME", then to "LINKS", it is the 1st selection.

Or you can just click here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/2009/2009sportregs.pdf

5 mins!.....LOL If I was on a high speed it might. Not even that. I've looked through the WDFW hoping they would have a readers digest version of the requirements and I don't see anything. It doesn't need to be this convoluted! I see I can't catch a King. I still can't find the requirement for hooks? It's not listed per river. Single hook right, but can it be barbed? I need to know if I need a salmon card. You used to require one, but maybe not in fresh water?

I'd like to fish tomorrow, so sorry for the bother. Maybe someone that knows could post a response. Thanks

Yes, a Salmon card is required if you are catching salmon.

well, no matter how long it takes, I REALLY encourage you to get a copy of the regs and confirm for yourself what the regs are. Definately it's OK to ask members for clarification, but don't rely on what people say because ultimately you are responsible for what you catch and how you do it. Lecture aside, as stated, you need a salmon punch card, a frshwater license, and as to hooks, I honestly don't know because mine are always cripped, just easier that way.

have you checked out Fred Meyer? They usually have paper copies of the regs.

Start stopping at stores that sell fishing licenses and look for the reg book.

No barbs <----so pinch them

single gook<----so no trebles

yes you need a card, no matter what water you are in.

4 pinks if only only pinks

2 silvers 2 pinks

1 king 1 silver and two pinks.............but this can change depending on the water you are fishing I do believe.

Oh and most if this info can be found on one page!!!

Maybe I’m wrong but as I understand the regulations currently in place for the Snohomish River it is under the “Anti-Snagging Rule”. Basically this means bank fisherman must use a single hook, ¾” or smaller from tip to shank, attached to or below the lure or bait. Weights may not be attached below or less than 12” above the lure or bait. When fishing from a boat you are allowed 2 single point hooks. The anti-snagging rule does not prohibit the use of barbed hooks but like Mike said pinch them all anyway. A barb pinched does not snag in the net, your cloths, your fishing buddies ear or other body parts.

rseas wrote:........pinch them all anyway. A barb pinched does not snag in the net, your cloths, your fishing buddies ear or other body parts.

:thumleft:

let me just clarify since you do not have a reg book. Dynamite is allowed in the lower snohomish and long as it measures at least 6" but no more than 10" from wick to butt. It may be cast or trolled but lost body parts must be retrieved before they hit the water. My friend last year got a ticket for chumming when parts of his finger landed in the river. happy fishing!

Kinda off topic, but had to share. There was a guy fishing on the beach with us yesterday who was very nice and shared plenty of unsolicited advice, but he was incredulous when he found out I was using a barbless hook. I told him that was the rule in the salt and he said it was only for boat fishermen! I asked where he got that info and he said that that was what he saw when fishing the piers......I had to laugh as I thought of all the people I've seen on the piers using barbed and even treble hooks casting for salmon. Regs...what regs?!

Just to clarify for this ol noobie, is the salmon card part of the combo license? Or is this a separate deal, other than the catch record.

yes

izzMo wrote:Just to clarify for this ol noobie, is the salmon card part of the combo license? Or is this a separate deal, other than the catch record.

To clarify (maybe): Whether you buy a freshwater, saltwater, or combo license, you should get a catch record card for the fish you're going to target. If you catch salmon in fresh or saltwater, then you are supposed to record it on the card via the instructions in the regulation book. Aside from the license and catch record card, you do not have to purchase anything additional to fish for salmon...unless you need more than one catch record card (some fill up the first one and need another).

Remember different rivers different regulations.What goes for the Sky may not go for the Stilly. Get a rule book.Its the sure fire way to be sure and avoid a costly ticket.They are free.

exactly as rac said. stilly is selective gear right now until december 1. but the sky is not. heres a new one the samish river now has a stationary gear restriction so no plunking

gian wrote:let me just clarify since you do not have a reg book. Dynamite is allowed in the lower snohomish and long as it measures at least 6" but no more than 10" from wick to butt. It may be cast or trolled but lost body parts must be retrieved before they hit the water. My friend last year got a ticket for chumming when parts of his finger landed in the river. happy fishing!

:thumleft: =d>