OLYMPIA – Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington state salmon fisheries can get a preview of this year’s salmon returns and proposed fishing seasons during a public meeting here March 2.
With the first chinook salmon of the year already arriving in the Columbia River, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will present initial forecasts of 2010 salmon returns that will be used to help establish salmon-fishing seasons for dozens of other waters around the state.
The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the General Administration Building Auditorium at 11th Ave. and Columbia St. on the Capitol Campus.
Those attending the meeting will have an opportunity to talk to fishery managers about the pre-season forecasts and participate in work sessions focusing on key salmon-management issues in the region.
“Public input is an important part of the season-setting process,” said Pat Pattillo, salmon policy coordinator for WDFW. “We encourage anyone who has an interest in recreational and commercial salmon fisheries to get involved in these discussions and take part in the development of upcoming fishing seasons.” Read the rest of this entry »
