Adult salmon daily limit reduced in Drano Lake, season shortened to support adde

[Pacific NW Ron]

Action and effective dates:  Reduces the adult salmon daily limit from March 16 through May 5, 2021. Effective May 6, 2021, Drano Lake will be closed for salmon and steelhead angling (until further notice). 

Species affected:  Salmon and steelhead.

Location:  Drano Lake – In the waters downstream of markers on a point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of the Highway 14 bridge. 

Rules: 
•Effective March 16 through May 5, 2021, the Drano Lake salmon and steelhead daily limit is 2, up to 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead.
•Beginning May 6, 2021 until further notice: Drano Lake is closed to salmon and steelhead angling. 

Reason for action:  The 2021 preseason forecast for Drano Lake (3,900 adults) is the third lowest return between 2000 and 2020 (roughly 45% of the recent 10-year average). At the same time, expanded hatchery programs intended to increase tribal and sport harvest for spring Chinook and support recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales are being initiated at Little White Salmon and Carson National Fish Hatcheries, increasing broodstock collection goals.  Fishery managers are reducing the adult salmon daily limit and shortening the fishery to ensure hatchery broodstock goals are achieved at these facilities. 

Additional information: WDFW will continue to monitor the spring Chinook return with Co-Managers and National Fish Hatchery staff to determine when further fishery modification is needed. Anglers are reminded to check the Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional information related to Drano Lake.

Information contact: Region 5, 360-696-6211.