WDFW Sport Sampling Results:
September 26, 2005

Latest Southwest Washington Sport Sampling Summaries [PDF Format]

Salmon/Steelhead -

Elochoman River - Light effort and catches. Through September 18, a total of 2,694 adult fall chinook had been counted at the hatchery/trap. The natural spawn goal (433 fish) has been met and the hatchery brood stock goal (1,426) will likely be reached.

67 adult early stock coho had returned to the hatchery/trap through Sept. 22. It's too early to tell if the hatchery brood stock goal of 800 adults will be met.

Cowlitz River - A mixture of fall chinook, coho, and sea run cutthroats are being caught from the I-5 Bridge downstream. During the past week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 692 fall chinook adults, six jacks, 1,130 coho salmon adults, 115 coho jacks, four spring chinook adults, 41 summer-run steelhead, 12 cutthroat trout and one sockeye salmon adult during five days of separator operations at Tacoma Power’s Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.

Tacoma Power employees released 898 coho salmon adults, 54 jacks and four spring chinook adults into the upper Cowlitz River at the Lake Scanewa Day Use site above Cowlitz Falls Dam during the week.

During the week Tacoma Power employees recycled seven steelhead adults, nine cutthroat trout and one sockeye salmon downstream to the I-5 boat launch.

During the week 272 fall chinook adults, two jacks, six coho adults and one jack were released into Mayfield Lake at Ike Kinswa State Park boat launch. Also during the week, four cutthroat trout were released into the Tilton River at the Bremer Bridge.

Through September 21, a total of 832 adult late stock coho have returned to the salmon hatchery. At the same point last year, 3,416 fish had returned. Last year's total hatchery return was 44,500 adults.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are currently at 3,510 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Monday, September 26. Flows are expected to remain steady. Water visibility at Mayfield Dam is over 14 feet.

Toutle River - No report on angling success. A total of 1,151 adult fall chinook had been counted at the hatchery/trap through Sept. 18. The run should peak this week or next. The natural spawn and hatchery brood stock minimum goals are 500 and 1,600 adults, respectively.

Through Sept. 22, a total of 614 adult early stock coho had returned to the hatchery/trap. The run is meeting expectations. The hatchery brood stock goal is 800 adults.

Kalama River - Bank anglers are catching fall chinook and some coho. Through Sept. 18, a total of 3,247 adult fall chinook had been counted at the hatchery/trap. The natural spawn escapement goal (500 fish) should be met; the hatchery brood stock goal (2,300) will likely be reached.

60 adult early stock coho had returned to the hatchery/trap through September 22. It's too early to tell if the hatchery brood stock goal of 500 fish will be met.

Lewis River - Bank anglers near the salmon hatchery are catching coho although most fish are dark. Boat anglers are catching primarily fall chinook.

Through September 22, a total of 3,128 adult early stock coho had returned to the hatchery/trap. The run is meeting expectations. The hatchery brood stock goal is 1,600 fish.

Washougal River - Bank anglers are catching fall chinook. Through Sept. 18, a total of 106 adult fall chinook had returned to the hatchery. Pre-season over 20,000 fish were expected to return. Though it's too early to predict, the minimum escapement goals (3,000 natural spawners and 2,090 hatchery brood stock) may not be met.

Wind River - Boat anglers are catching coho.

Klickitat River - Lower river was good at times for fall chinook.

Yakima River - Angler effort continues to increase. Catch rates remain low with 1 chinook harvested for every 45 angler hours. An estimated 23 adult chinook and 11 jacks were harvested last week.

Lower Columbia below Bonneville Dam - Some coho are being caught near the mouth of the Cowlitz. Overall, angler effort has dropped way off since the chinook restriction took effect September 18. Only 71 boats and 8 Washington bank anglers were counted during the Thursday Sept. 22 flight.

During August 1-September 17, an estimated 17,500 Chinook were landed from 74,000 angler trips in the Tongue Point-Bonneville area. Preseason expectations were for a Chinook catch of 16,600 fish.

Bonneville Pool - Limited sampling. 25 boats were counted at both the White Salmon and Klickitat mouths on Sunday.

Hanford Reach - Fishing has picked up but not at full force yet. Catch rates were an adult chinook per every 15 pole hours. Fish condition was better than average for the month of September.

Sturgeon -

Lower Columbia below Bonneville Dam - Effort remains light during the current catch and release only fishery. From the Wauna powerlines to Bonneville Dam, sturgeon may be retained Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only beginning October 1.

From WashingtonLakes.com:

A 31.15 pound tiger musky was recently caught at Merwin Reservoir. Click here for details and a photo.

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