Lake Wenatchee Sockeye 2022

[pickardjw]

Is there any indication out there on whether sockeye on Lake Wenatchee will open this year?

[nwwanderer]

With 650,000 over Bonneville and more than 400,000 over priest rapids it seems likely.

[ASHQUACK]

Heard rumors of a mid next week opener

[pickardjw]

That would be perfect. I’ll be up that way starting Thursday.

[spin05]

18,427 on the fish count at tumwater canyon.  not too bad. That escapement goal is 23,000 fish.  Last year it didnt open till Aug 4th.   So should be soon!!!!!

[CP]

July 25, 2022
Contact: WDFW North Central region: 509-754-4624
Public Affairs contact: Ben Anderson, 360-902-0045
Lake Wenatchee and Wenatchee River to open for sockeye fishing amid strong returns
OLYMPIA – Amid a record return of sockeye salmon to the Columbia River, fishery managers in Washington’s North Central region announced that sockeye fishing will open on Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River in the days ahead.
As of July 22, the escapement goal of 23,000 sockeye passing over Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River had already been met, with thousands more expected to be available for harvest, said Chad Jackson, North Central Fish Program Manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“This year’s strong return should offer plenty of sockeye opportunity on Wenatchee Lake and in the Wenatchee River, which is great news for this popular fishery,” Jackson said. “We’ll continue monitoring the run to ensure we’re meeting our conservation goals, but things are looking very good for this year’s season.”
The Lake Wenatchee fishery will open from July 28 through Aug. 31, with a daily limit of four sockeye (minimum size 12 inches). Anglers must release all bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon unharmed and without removing the fish from the water. Selective gear rules are in effect -- up to three single barbless hooks per line, no bait or scent allowed, knotless nets required. Two-pole fishing is allowed with a valid two-pole endorsement.
The Wenatchee River will also open for sockeye retention from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, with no more than two adult hatchery Chinook and up to four sockeye (minimum size 12 inches) allowed to be retained as part of the six-fish daily limit. Anglers must release coho and wild adult Chinook. Selective gear rules are in effect, except use of bait is allowed.
A night closure is in effect for both Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River.
For more information, visit WDFW’s emergency regulations page at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/emergency-rules. For additional permanent regulations, see the 2022-23 Washington Sport Fishing pamphlet at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.

[metlhead]

 Why is the lake not open yesterday? WDFW knew when escapement would be met. Should have opened it the very next day to mitigate all the lost opportunity when they got scared and curtailed the ocean salmon seasons, long before quotas were met.

[carvermoe]

August 4th two fish limit

[WAcoueshunter]

August 4th two fish limit

I’ll take that bet! 

Escapement is met, and effort tapers way off after the first few days. This isn’t a North of Falcon fishery and won’t close early.  Go get ‘em.

[spin05]

August 4th two fish limit

Negative on August 4th.   The offcial announcement says thursday july 28th opens

[pickardjw]

Limit is also 4 daily.

[spin05]

Well how has everyone been doing?? . Been hearing pretty good reports.  Headed over Thursday myself.

[h2ofowlr]

Well how has everyone been doing?? . Been hearing pretty good reports.  Headed over Thursday myself.

The fishing was really good today.  Caught our limits in less than an hour.

[pashok23]

Well how has everyone been doing?? . Been hearing pretty good reports.  Headed over Thursday myself.

The fishing was really good today.  Caught our limits in less than an hour.

you guys fished from shore? Boat?

[h2ofowlr]

Well how has everyone been doing?? . Been hearing pretty good reports.  Headed over Thursday myself.

The fishing was really good today.  Caught our limits in less than an hour.

you guys fished from shore? Boat?

Fished from boat.

[spin05]

Well how has everyone been doing?? . Been hearing pretty good reports.  Headed over Thursday myself.

The fishing was really good today.  Caught our limits in less than an hour.

yea thats what i like to hear.  over 90,000 fish over the tumwater dam now. only going to get better

[pickardjw]

Went 7 for 9 Saturday morning. The boat launch was a nightmare so got out a bit late. After a weekend at Baker followed by a weekend at Wenatchee, I'm hooked on the lake salmon fishing...already setting calendar reminders to book campgrounds for next year. The off-grid camping was fine but not having to launch every day would be nice.

If anyone has recommendations on other freshwater fisheries to hit that a 14' boat can handle, feel free to PM me 

[HntnFsh]

Riffe lake silvers and triploids!

[PsoasHunter]

Would this fishery be doable with a canoe without downriggers? Diver maybe? I'm camping near there this weekend anyway already.

[HntnFsh]

Would this fishery be doable with a canoe without downriggers? Diver maybe? I'm camping near there this weekend anyway already.

Which fishery?

[stickbuck]

Would this fishery be doable with a canoe without downriggers? Diver maybe? I'm camping near there this weekend anyway already.

Which fishery?

I’m guessing he’s referring to the lake titled in this thread.


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[PsoasHunter]

Would this fishery be doable with a canoe without downriggers? Diver maybe? I'm camping near there this weekend anyway already.

Which fishery?

I’m guessing he’s referring to the lake titled in this thread.

Referring to Lake Wenatchee Sockeye, not Riffe Lake silvers.


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[HntnFsh]

Or the one I posted immediately above his question?

[Angry Perch]

Would this fishery be doable with a canoe without downriggers? Diver maybe? I'm camping near there this weekend anyway already.

Absolutely! As long as the wind stays down, it's tailor made for a canoe. Put in at Glacier View and you're fishing in 2 minutes. The locals used to use railroad spikes as sacrificial sinkers.

[pickardjw]

We had the most luck on a rod with a 12oz dropper. The downriggers only got hit later in the day. My buddy had me convinced that 3’ setback from the ball was plenty…

[Angry Perch]

Adding some flashers (think Ford Fenders) behind the ball helped us when I used to fish it.

[Stein]

Went 7 for 9 Saturday morning. The boat launch was a nightmare so got out a bit late. After a weekend at Baker followed by a weekend at Wenatchee, I'm hooked on the lake salmon fishing...already setting calendar reminders to book campgrounds for next year. The off-grid camping was fine but not having to launch every day would be nice.

If anyone has recommendations on other freshwater fisheries to hit that a 14' boat can handle, feel free to PM me 

You could fish that in the Columbia for sockeye and chinook up around Chelan.  I would take a peek at some of the kayak fishing sites, probably similar capabilities and it might give you more ideas.

[WSU]

You can absolutely catch the Lake Wenatchee fish with a canoe and no downriggers.  I fished it a couple years ago and caught plenty with just a cannonball.  It didn't need to be huge either.  The gear isn't big and you troll very slow.  The fish are 3 or 4 pounds, so no need to run heavy line.  I had no problem getting down with 6 or 8 ounces.  A line counter would help.  They can be deep and finding the depth is really important.

[metlhead]

Run a poor mans setup. Landscaping line to a 20oz. cannonball with a kokanee release. Knots every 5'. Easy to handline back on a dowel. My trout setup is a 6' line to the cannonball. Same depth every time.

[PsoasHunter]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately the wind got to be too much for the canoe. It was a little sporty wind wise from the get go, especially setting out before first light. After about 30 or 40 minutes the wind was getting worse, the swells had white caps, and we were no longer effectively fishing. We were also very curious as to what it might look like if we actually hooked one and tried to get it in the canoe in the chop. We decided to call it before the wind got any worse and made it back in with just a few gallons splashed over the sides into the canoe.

All told we were out for maybe an hour, we caught no fish, and my brother was soaked from the chop splashing over.  But we also watched the sun come up over the mountains at the launch, saw the white river fire burning right in front of us on the ridge, made a great memory with my brother, we were back in time for breakfast with the family, with a story to tell. At least we made it out there.

I hope other people are actually catching some fish out there!