Olympic National Park Fishing Regulations Take Effect May 1; New Full-Color Fishing Brochures Available

Date: April 30, 2009
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005

Olympic National Park has released its fishing regulations for 2009 - 2010, with a number of revisions that were adopted following public review and comment this winter. The newly adopted changes apply only to non-tribal recreational angling within the park and are designed to improve the clarity of the regulations and better protect park resources while providing high-quality recreational fishing opportunities for the public.

“The updated regulations are now presented in a new full-color brochure and provide clear, consistent and easily understood information about the park’s regulations," said Superintendent Karen Gustin. “The brochure will be available at park visitor centers, entrance stations, ranger stations, and at area fishing shops in early May.”

The full-color booklet contains the park’s freshwater and marine fishing and shellfish harvest regulations, pictures and descriptions of many of the park’s fish species, answers to frequently asked questions, and suggested locations for watching salmon and trout populations in the park.

Olympic National Park lakes opened for fishing on April 25, with the exception of Lake Crescent that opens for fishing on June 1. Fishing in the park’s rivers and streams opens on June 1. Anglers should consult the new fishing regulations for complete information on fishing opportunities within the park.

Key elements of the changes for 2009 - 2010 include:

• On the Queets River, the number of management sections has been changed from three to two in order to simplify and clarify fishing regulations in that area.
• On the Queets River, selective gear rules (artificial lure with barbless single point hook) have been implemented above Hartzell boat launch to the headwaters throughout the angling season, to protect wild fish, including federally threatened bull trout, by making it easier for anglers to release fish.
• Elimination of the definition “jack salmon” in the Pacific Coastal Area and Salmon River (Queets) so that any salmon over the minimum size limit is included within the daily limit. This change clarifies regulations along the park’s coastal area and will better protect the park’s fish populations.

The new regulations, which take effect on May 1, are available by clicking on the Fishing Quicklink at the Olympic National Park website (https://www.nps.gov/olym/) and will be posted on many bulletin boards throughout the park.

Copies of the regulations will be available at park visitor centers, entrance stations, ranger stations, and at area fishing shops by May 6. To request a copy of the brochure, people may email the park at [e-mail].