Fishing: State repeals gear restrictions

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife has removed selective gear restrictions and is allowing chinook retention on the lower Hoh River outside Olympic National Park.

With the onset of wetter and cooler weather, most summer chinook have moved out of the lower Hoh River, state officials said. The rule change that was initiated on Sept. 17 allows anglers to pursue salmon with normal gear, including bait, consistent with regular season rules found in the “Washington Sport Fishing Rules” pamphlet.

The Olympic National Park closures of the Hoh River within the park remain in effect.

The state also has re-opened to fishing the upper reaches of north coast rivers. These reaches were closed to protect fish during unusually low water conditions. Recent rains and cooling temperatures have increased water levels, allowing fish to move more freely upriver and alleviating the need for additional protection.

Among the re-openings are:

• the East and West Forks Dickey River upstream of their confluence, and Thunder Creek, tributary,

• and the Bogachiel River upstream of the U.S. Highway 101 bridge to the Olympic National Park boundary, and Bear Creek, tributary.