SALMON FISHING -- Starting tomorrow (Aug. 18), the daily limit for sockeye at Lake Wenatchee will increase to five fish 12 inches or longer. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife just anounced the change along with an extension of the sockeye fishing season at Lake Wenatchee through Labor Day.

Reason for action:  To date, at least 46,000 fish have migrated past Tumwater Dam in route to Lake Wenatchee. Projections of the total run could exceed 62,000 fish. Current angler participation and catch rates have indicated that these actions are warranted.  At least 23,000 fish are estimated to be available for harvest above the natural spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish. To date, less than 7,000 sockeye have been estimated in the harvest.

Read on for more detals from the WDFW.

Other information: Selective gear rules require anglers to use single barbless lures and knotless nets. No bait or scent are allowed. Bull trout, steelhead, and chinook salmon must be released unharmed without removing the fish from the water. The two-pole endorsement is not valid for this fishery. A night closure will be in effect. Legal angling hours are one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

The Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery may still be closed on short notice depending on angler participation response to these regulation changes and catch rates. Anglers are advised to check daily the Fishing Hotline at 360-902-2500 or the Fishing Update webpage.

Additional notes to anglers:All sockeye with a floy (anchor) tag attached and/or one or more round quarter-inch holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin must be released. These fish are essential to ongoing studies being conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.