Lake Wenatchee to open for sockeye fishing July 26

WENATCHEE — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday that Lake Wenatchee will open for sockeye fishing and retention one hour before official sunrise July 26, and will be open until one hour after official sunset Aug. 31.

According to the announcement, Fish and Wildlife are opening sockeye retention based on sockeye passage analysis at Tumwater Dam and mainstem Columbia River Dams, which project a surplus of harvestable sockeye headed for Lake Wenatchee.

The daily limit on sockeye is set at four fish of a minimum size of 12 inches, according to the announcement, which also instructed fishers to release all Bull Trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon unharmed and without removing the fish from the water.

The release stated that during the sockeye fishery, Lake Wenatchee State Park will modify park hours from 6:30 a.m. until dusk to 4 a.m. until dusk, and only registered campers will be allowed in the park between dusk and 4 a.m.

For more information on regulations and requirements, visit https://bit.ly/EmergencyRulesChange.