Northwest Fishing Reports

Are sockeye coming up the Cedar? I've read a few reports on Rainbows and would love to get out my flyrod to take part in the C&R action. Would love it if I could C&R a sockeye out of the Cedar.

read the regs for the area you hit..

targeting sockeye in the Cedar is strictly forbidden..

As previously mentioned, it would be more than just a little frowned upon. Add to that, the river will be closed to all fishing by tht time any salmon start making thier way up the river as it closes for the season Aug 31.

thx guys. i always feel like i need a degree to read the regs. it doesn't say specifically about salmon, just Trout - catch and release, then All other game fish (which never includes salmon, of course) state wide min. size/daily limit. but then again i may be looking at the wrong section.

anyhow, appreciate the replies! i'll just stick with C&R trout in the Cedar.

If salmon are not permissible to keep in Lk Wa then that includes the Cedar to me IMO. This would include the Ship Canal and Lk Sammamish too.

racfish wrote:If salmon are not permissible to keep in Lk Wa then that includes the Cedar to me IMO. This would include the Ship Canal and Lk Sammamish too.

Not so much, for north of 520, Coho only, no Socks or Kings on to Sammamish with the Sough (Sammamish River, I just can't say it...) being off limits. Then there's the Sammamish Boot fest in front of Issaquah Creek as long as you're 100yrds out. Have all them darky Kings you can get to bite.
Wish we could have a great time fishing for them in Lake WA but those precious Cedar River fish.... Come on guys, fire up the hatcheries and get some more fish in the system! The numbers don't come up by themselves.

kyamukun wrote:thx guys. i always feel like i need a degree to read the regs. it doesn't say specifically about salmon, just Trout - catch and release, then All other game fish (which never includes salmon, of course) state wide min. size/daily limit. but then again i may be looking at the wrong section.

anyhow, appreciate the replies! i'll just stick with C&R trout in the Cedar.

If it closes to fishing aug 31 then that means no fishing, doesnt have to say any specific species. But i have been wondering if i do catch a salmon in the sammamish river before the river closes, what are the rules against that? Not that i would want to keep anything out of there...

The answer to your question is, you'll have to release the fish without taking it out of the water. Further, if it appears you are targeting the salmon, you caould end up with a ticket. The fishing for and the retention of salmon, unless specifically stated under the special rules for a body of water, river or stream, is prohibited. The following can be found on page 16 of the regs.

For all Game Fish and SALMON, the Special Rules show all of the fishing opportunities for each freshwater area listed.
Unlisted rivers, streams, and beaver ponds fall under statewide rules except the Puget Sound, Strait, and Coastal rivers (see below).
All freshwater areas are CLOSED to the harvest of any fish not classified as a Food Fish or Game Fish (see definitions page 10) except for NORTHERN PIKE.
Freshwater areas are open 24 hours per day when open.
All FRESHWATER areas are CLOSED to fishing for SALMON, Dolly Varden/Bull Trout, LAMPREY, and GRASS CARP.

The State goes so far out of its way to make its point, it becomes a little confusing.