Prospects looking dim again for Lake Washington sockeye fishery

The Lake Washington sockeye salmon return was a huge disappointment this summer, and it may be a while before anglers get another chance to fish for them.

The outcome didn't surprise state and tribal fisheries managers, who had braced themselves for a third consecutive downtrend in the lake's sockeye return.

Only 22,166 [preseason forecast was 19,300] sockeye managed to enter the lake this summer compared to 33,702 in 2008. The 2009 total was the worst since 1972.

"The number this past summer was one of the lowest we've ever counted at the [Ballard] locks," said Steve Foley, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist.

"It doesn't make any sense that the Lake Washington and Fraser River [in British Columbia] sockeye runs were so poor, while the Columbia River was so good this past summer [177,823 sockeye were counted at Bonneville Dam]," Foley said. "You kind of wonder what the heck happened, and did they go to a different place in the ocean?"

Dismal ocean survival due to a lack of food and predation are the likely culprits.

Another factor is a lower number of fry coming out of the spawning grounds due to habitat degradation and severe flooding in the rivers and creeks.

It is hard to fathom that in 2006 the lake supported a 13-day sport fishery when 458,005 fish arrived. At least 350,000 are needed for spawning escapement before a fishery is allowed. Other fisheries occurred in 1996, 2000, 2002 and 2004.

This fishery generates millions of the dollars in revenue, and lures thousands of anglers to catch these highly delicious fish.

"It has been feast or famine for the Lake Washington sockeye," said Frank Urabeck, a longtime sport fishing advocate and Cedar River Council member. "I'm cautiously optimistic that we can turn this around, and we shouldn't give up. I think it will be a long haul and not a quick fix."

Urabeck says three factors are needed to make sure this magnificent sockeye run in the heart of a huge urban area can rebound.

Those are appropriate salmon harvest-management decisions by the state and tribes; allowing Seattle Public Utilities to begin building a permanent hatchery on the Cedar River this spring; and most important, hoping Mother Nature is cooperative in avoiding floods that can devastate spawning grounds.

"We gave the mayor [Greg Nickels] back in 2006 a lot of credit for getting the temporary hatchery up and running," said Urabeck. "Now we've got a new mayor and it's so important for Seattle to stay its course. We need to let the mayor know how important the sockeye fishery is and be supportive."

The temporary hatchery, operational since 1991, has the capacity to produce 17 million fry, and has done so at least once during that period. The proposed permanent hatchery would have a capacity to produce 34 million fry.

"If they pull the plug on the funding, the ballgame is over for sockeye," Urabeck surmised.

And what is the outlook for next summer?

Those who closely follow the lake's sockeye run believe it will be poor again with a mere 15,000 to 30,000 returning.

Notes

• State Fish and Wildlife has extended the public-comment period on a new draft conservation plan for rockfish in Puget Sound through Jan. 4, and they will host three more meetings. To view the plan go to http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/management/rockfish. To receive a copy, call 360-902-2844. Three species of rockfish in Puget Sound — bocaccio, yelloweye and canary rockfish — currently are being considered for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. E-mail comments to SEPAdesk2@dfw.wa.govor fax 360-902-2946 or mail to Washington Fish and Wildlife, SEPA Desk, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

Among the meeting dates: Wednesday, Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way; and Dec. 3, Skagit Valley College's Mount Vernon campus, 2405 E. College Way.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club is hosting a beginning fly-tying class starting Jan. 7 at the Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th S.E. Cost is $45. Details: 206-542-4623.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780