When are the runs for the various salmon?

[MikeFishes]

I'm new to fishing for salmon, and don't know much about when the different runs are. Where can I find when the runs are? Also, is there a definitive source as to how to tell the difference between each sub-species (something better than what the WDFW has)?

[A9]

Look up the pictures of all the different salmon in the WDFW rule book. Other then that, I don't really know what to say for determining species and what might help you out.

Sockeye run only in a few rivers around here and of course Lake Washington. They usually roll through from June through the end of August. Kings run right around July-September, and there are some spring kings that run in like April-May, Pinks are running August-early september, Silvers=August through October and Chum come from October through December....

[Mr. Magler]

Don't forget the pinks only run in odd-numbered years (2007, 2009, 2011, etc.)

[Bodofish]

Nicely done Sam!

[MikeFishes]

Look up the pictures of all the different salmon in the WDFW rule book. Other then that, I don't really know what to say for determining species and what might help you out.

Sockeye run only in a few rivers around here and of course Lake Washington. They usually roll through from June through the end of August. Kings run right around July-September, and there are some spring kings that run in like April-May, Pinks are running August-early september, Silvers=August through October and Chum come from October through December....

Cool, thanks! The one thing that keeps me away from Salmon fishing is that I really don't know how to tell one from another. It seems that there's some confusing rules. You know, if it's under x inches it's a ____, otherwise it's a _____ except if caught in a landlocked lake, where it's a ____. Well, gotta learn them sometime.

[A9]

It seems overwhelming, don't worry about it. It'll catch on really easy, much more simple then you will expect. It just takes experience, and either some good pictures or someone else who knows how to identify then your set...

[littleriver]

Might also note that returns vary quite a bit from year to year..

so you want to be watching for "North of Falcon" reports that start showing up on
wdfw web page in the winter and spring months...

Usually by sometime in march there will be a posted estimate of the runs for the various species (not steelhead though)
into the various places like the columbia river, south sound, north sound... in some cases specific rivers are mentioned...

breakdown seems to vary from year to year...

also need to keep your ear to the ground when you are out on the water because there are quite a few "private stocking" programs that the WDFW tolerates.. (i.e there's some guy up on the north river who raises coho fry and durmps them in the river and another who dumps steelhead into the south fork of the newaukum)... locals will know about these "off the books" runs and when to intercept.......


but the bottom line is that there is no up to date and totally definitive compilation of what goes where and when and how many will be headed up this year... gotta be constantly looking for and following up on information leads in this regard.....

[MikeFishes]

Okay guys, thanks for the input. I'm going to head out to the Snoho in the morning and try my luck. I'm not going to try the sand shrimp, but spoons, kastmasters, etc. I just need to make sure that i keep what ever I use low and slow.

Just to make sure I'm readying the regs right...
Pinks, oval spots on the tail with no silver, white mouth, black gumline and tongue.
Chinook, spots on the back and tail with silver, black mouth, gumline, and tongue.

For the snoho, it says release Chinook, so any other is game, right? (2 salmon, plus 2 pink).

[MikeFishes]

Hey, quick question for you seasoned river fishermen out there. Does the tide really play that big of a role on catchable fish?

[MikeFishes]

Okay guys, thanks for the input. I'm going to head out to the Snoho in the morning and try my luck. I'm not going to try the sand shrimp, but spoons, kastmasters, etc. I just need to make sure that i keep what ever I use low and slow.

Just to make sure I'm readying the regs right...
Pinks, oval spots on the tail with no silver, white mouth, black gumline and tongue.
Chinook, spots on the back and tail with silver, black mouth, gumline, and tongue.

For the snoho, it says release Chinook, so any other is game, right? (2 salmon, plus 2 pink).

Here it is, my first salmon! I posted a report, but I'm sure that Mike and Aaron are busy with other things. :thumright

I was over by Thomas Eddy, and it wasy crowded! We got there about a quarter to 6, so pretty dark. It was nice and cool, not too cold. The river was low (5A was low tide for Snohomish City). We had a good section of the shore to our selfs for about 30 minuites. It was pretty comfortable for a while. I caught this guy on a Silver-Bronze Dick Nite. Keept it low and slow. The river gets really deep right were we were, so it was important to get it low. Not to bad for a first try. I worried that my rod/reel couldn't handle it, but no problem. This guy put up a great fight and ran several times before I could land him.

We had to leave since they didn't have female bushes for my daughter to use. =]http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa31 ... mon3-s.jpg[/IMG]

[Jake Dogfish]

Way to go Mikey nice fish buddy. :thumleft:

[Proverb]

Way cool on your first Salmon. I'm really going to have to drive out there one of these days and land one of those fish they taste wonderful.

[dilbert]

Here is a good salmon identification guide. There is a PDF version there too that you can print and bring along with you.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/identification/pac_salmon.htm

[gpc]

Nice first pink Mikey, I wish my first would have been that size LOL