Wenatchee River salmon season canceled for 2024 due to low Chinook returns

WENATCHEE — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that the planned salmon fishing season on the Wenatchee River will not open in 2024 due to low Chinook salmon returns.

The closure, effective from August 1 through September 30, affects the stretch of the Wenatchee River from its mouth to the Icicle Road Bridge crossing near Leavenworth.

Officials cited insufficient numbers of both hatchery and wild summer Chinook salmon returning to the river as the reason for the closure. Current projections indicate the population falls short of the minimum required to meet spawning escapement and broodstock objectives for the Wenatchee River system.

The department emphasized that all other fishing regulations outlined in the 2024-25 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for the Wenatchee River remain in effect. Anglers are encouraged to check the WDFW's emergency rules website regularly for any updates or changes.

This closure highlights ongoing challenges in Pacific Northwest salmon conservation efforts as changing environmental conditions and human impacts continue to affect fish populations throughout the region.

For more information, anglers can contact the WDFW Region 2 office in Ephrata at 509-754-4624 or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov.