Chinook salmon closure north of Vashon Island extended to end of season

The closure of part of central Puget Sound to Chinook salmon fishing will continue to the end of the season, state fisheries authorities have announced.

The closure began Tuesday, Jan. 19 in Marine Area 10, which is the area of Puget Sound roughly between the Southworth Ferry dock and the northern tip of Bainbridge Island. The closure affects natural-origin Chinook salmon.

After assessing the January catch, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said the area will remain closed for the remainder of the winter season, which ends Jan. 31. The threshold for total unmarked encounters was exceeded (738 of 579) and the guideline for total sublegal encounters was met (3,224).

Four year-round piers remain open: Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier, Seacrest Pier and Waterman Pier.

This story was originally published January 15, 2021 at 5:30 AM.