Washington’s ocean beaches will remain closed to razor clam harvest until at least Dec. 12 after test results on razor clams dug at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis indicate levels of domoic acid that exceed the threshold set by state public health officials for safe consumption.
“While levels remain too high for safe consumption on Washington’s ocean beaches, those levels have declined since the last test, and we hope to see that trend continue to the point where we can open,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.
Updates
Columbia River, Buoy 10 upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco — Through Dec. 31, the daily limit is six salmon with up to two adults of which one may be a hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release wild coho downstream of Hood River Bridge. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches.
Lewis River, from mouth to Colvin Creek: Through Dec. 31, daily catch limit on hatchery Coho salmon is six, with up to three adults kept, of which no more than two may be Chinook. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery Coho.
Lewis River, from Colvin Creek to power lines below Merwin Dam: From Dec. 16 through Dec. 31, daily catch limit on hatchery Coho salmon is six, with up to three adults kept, of which no more than two may be Chinook. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatcher Coho. Salmon and steelhead fishing closed Nov. 19 to Dec. 15.
Cowlitz River, from mouth to posted markers below Barrier Dam: Through Dec. 31, daily catch limit on hatchery salmon is six, up to three adults kept. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery Coho.
Kalama River, from mouth to 1,,0 feet below fishway at Kalama Falls Hatchery: Through Dec. 31, daily catch limit on hatchery salmon is six, up to three adults kept. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery Coho.
Klickitat River, from mouth to Fisher Hill Bridge: Through Jan. 31, 2021, daily catch limit of salmon is six, up to three adult kept. Minimum size is 12 inches.
Klickitat River, from 400 feet above No. 5 fishway to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon hatchery: Through Nov. 30, daily catch limit of salmon is six, up to three adult kept. Minimum size is 12 inches.
Washougal River, from mouth to bridge at Salmon Falls: Through Dec. 31, daily catch limit of hatchery salmon is six, up to three adult kept. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery Coho.
Drano Lake — Through Dec. 31 in the waters downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish hatchery and upstream of Highway 14 bridge, the salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six with up to two adults of which no more than one may be a hatchery steelhead.
Fishery reports
Fishing reports for waters in southwest Washington, including the Columbia River and tributaries as reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Nov. 17.
Always check the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing for the latest fishing rules and regulations as seasons can change or close quickly if necessary.
Columbia River tributaries
Salmon/steelhead
Cowlitz River – Interstate-5 Bridge downstream — Three bank rods had no catch.
Above the I-5 Bridge — 30 bank rods kept 13 coho, one steelhead, two cutthroat and released 18 coho, one coho jack and two cutthroat; two boats/four rods had no catch.
Kalama River — Four bank anglers had no catch; one boat/three rods had no catch.
Lewis River — 64 bank anglers released one Chinook and four coho; 11 boats/29 rods kept six Chinook, five coho, two coho jacks and released three Chinook and three coho.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/creel
