Low Chinook runs endanger prime fishing rivers in Snohomish County

SULTAN — As far as salmon habitat goes, the Sultan River is a prime spot for thousands of juvenile fish that swim toward Puget Sound the first several months of the year.

At Culmback Dam, the Snohomish County PUD regulates water temperatures to ensure fish can thrive in their preferred cold environment. And if needed, the PUD can release more water from Spada Lake to mimic a natural river’s flow.

Even still, Chinook salmon numbers are down this year — not only in the Sultan where anglers can’t fish for salmon, but across Western Washington. Last month, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with local tribes, announced plans to close several popular salmon fishing areas this year to prevent anglers from accidentally killing Chinook.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service still needs to review the decision. And state fishery managers will offer another round of public comment later this month before Fish and Wildlife confirms its annual fishing regulations in June.



https://www.heraldnet.com/news/low-chinook-runs-endanger-prime-fishing-rivers-in-snohomish-county/