2020 Washington State Sport Catch Report

Washington State

Sport Catch Report 2020

STATE OF WASHINGTON July 2022

by Eric Kraig

and

Tracey Scalici

Washington state

sport CatCh report

2020

Eric Kraig

and

Tracey Scalici

State of Washington

Jay Inslee, Governor

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Kelly Susewind, Director

Fish Program

Kelly Cunningham, Director of Fish Program

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Fish Science Division

1111 Washington St . SE

Olympia, Washington 98501

July 2022

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists and program staff contributed to the

compilation and editing of this report. Thanks go to the staff in Licensing, Information

Systems, Support Services Unit, and Fish Management. Special thanks are due to Dan

Ayres, David Bramwell, Euna Parse, Camille Speck, Phuong-Nhi Nguyen,

Kyle Vandegraaf, Laura Heironimus, Don Velasquez, Tyler Garber, Alex Wickett, Ann

Stephenson, Heather Hall, Barbara McClellan, Ken Keller, Merrie Schultz, Doug Rogers,

Matthew Sturza, and Erica Weyland.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables .......................................................................................................................... iii

Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1

Methods ....................................................................................................................................2

Review .....................................................................................................................................3

References ................................................................................................................................6

Sport Licenses ..........................................................................................................................7

Technical Data ..........................................................................................................................9

Salmon ...................................................................................................................................13

Map of Salmon Catch Record Card Areas .............................................................................14

Description of Salmon Catch Record Card Areas ..................................................................15

Sturgeon .................................................................................................................................45

Map of Sturgeon Catch Record Card Areas ........................................................................... 46

Description of Sturgeon Catch Record Card Areas ...............................................................47

Steelhead ................................................................................................................................51

Marine Fish ............................................................................................................................63

Shellsh ..................................................................................................................................67

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

iii

LIST OF TABLES

Sport Licenses

Table 1. Number and Value of Sport Fishing Licenses Sold in Washington

in the 2020-2021 Fishing Year ........................................................................................................8

Technical Data

Table 2. Number of Catch Record Cards Issued 1971-2020 ......................................................................10

Table 3. 2020-2021 Catch Record Card Technical Data ............................................................................. 11

Salmon

Table 4. Annual Sport Salmon Catch, 1971 – 2020 ...................................................................................16

Table 5. Total 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Catch ..........................................................................................17

Table 6. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 1 – Ilwaco: Ocean ........................................................18

Table 7. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 1 – Ilwaco: River .........................................................18

Table 8. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 2 – Westport .................................................................19

Table 9. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 2-1 – Willapa Bay ........................................................ 19

Table 10. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 2-2 – Grays Harbor .......................................................20

Table 11. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 3 – LaPush ....................................................................20

Table 12. 2020 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 4 – Neah Bay ............................................................... 21

Table 13. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 5 – Sekiu – Pillar Point ....................................... 21

Table 14. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 6 – East Juan de Fuca Strait ...............................22

Table 15. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 7 – San Juan Islands ...........................................22

Table 16. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 8-1 – Deception Pass / Hope Island ....................22

Table 17. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 8-2 – Port Susan / Port Gardner ..........................22

Table 18. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 9 – Admiralty Inlet ..............................................23

Table 19. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 10 – Seattle / Bremerton .....................................23

Table 20. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 11 – Tacoma / Vashon Island ...............................24

Table 21. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 12 – Hood Canal .................................................24

Table 22. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Marine Catch, Area 13 – South Puget Sound .....................................25

Table 23. 2020-2021 Freshwater Salmon Sport Catch, by Area and Month ................................................ 26

Table 24. 2020-2021 Washington Sport Salmon Fishing, by Residence ......................................................41

Table 25. 2020-2021 Frequency Distribution of Estimated Salmon Catch Record Cards and Catch ...........42

Table 26. 2020-2021 Sport Salmon Inventory of Catch Record Cards Received .........................................43

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

LIST OF TABLES

Sturgeon

Table 27. 2020-2021 Sport Sturgeon Catch by Area and Month ..................................................................48

Table 28. 2020-2021 Sport Sturgeon Fishing, by Residence ........................................................................49

Table 29. 2020-2021 Frequency of Estimated Distribution of Sturgeon Cards and Catch ...........................50

Table 30. 2020-2021 Sport Sturgeon Inventory of Catch Record Cards ......................................................50

Steelhead

Table 31. 2020-2021 Steelhead Sport Catch by Area and Month .................................................................52

Table 32. 2020-2021 Sport Steelhead Fishing, By Residence .......................................................................61

Table 33. 2020-2021 Frequency Distribution of Estimated Steelhead Cards and Catch ..............................62

Table 34. 2020-2021 Sport Steelhead Inventory of Catch Record Cards Reported ...................................... 63

Marine Fish

Table 35. 2020 Coastal Marine Fish Catch ...................................................................................................66

Table 36. 2020 Coastal Washington Recreational Pacic Halibut Catch 2000-2020 ...................................67

Table 37. 2020 Sport Bottomsh Catch by Boat-Based Anglers in Puget Sound ........................................68

Shellsh

Table 38. 2020-2021 Seasonal Summary of Sport Razor Clam Digging on Ocean Beaches .......................70

Table 39. 2020 Clam and Oyster Recreational Use and Harvest Estimates from Intertidal Areas East of

Dungeness Spit .............................................................................................................................71

Table 40. 2020 Puget Sound and Hood Canal Sport Spot Shrimp Fishery ..................................................72

Table 41. 2020 Sport Dungeness Crab Catch ...............................................................................................72

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

INTRODUCTION

The Washington State Sport Catch Report was rst published in 1967. The report originally provided salm-

on catch estimates, which were and still are based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). In 1975,

marine sh sport harvest estimates were added to the report, followed by shellsh estimates in 1976. Marine

sh and intertidal shellsh sport harvest estimates are based on eld and creel surveys. In 1994, with the

merger of the departments of Fisheries and Wildlife, steelhead sport harvest estimates were added to the

report. Now, catch record card data are collected for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Dungeness crab and hali-

but. The card data is supplemented with eld or creel survey data or telephone surveys where available to

improve recreational harvest estimate accuracy. The sport harvest estimates for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon,

marine sh and shellsh are produced at varying times of each year.

The 2020 sport estimates reflect harvest for the “License Year” which ran from April 1, 2020 through March

31, 2021. These April-March license years have been used since 2000. Prior to that, salmon and marine fish

estimates were made on a calendar year basis and steelhead estimates were made using a May-April year.

Year 2020 turned out to be a challenging year for shery managers and anglers alike. The Covid-19 global

pandemic began in March 2020, right before the start of the new shing year. Fishing was closed statewide

on March 25. No sheries were open in April 2020. Some areas reopened on May 5, but other areas re-

mained closed, depending on advisories by local health departments. Even after reopening, some areas were

less accessible due to boat ramp closures and other restrictions.

Sport Licenses and Catch Record Cards

In 2020, the following licenses and catch record cards were required to sh in Washington:

• Saltwater license: Required for saltwater shing, for all anglers aged sixteen and over. Available for

residents, resident seniors (70 and older), and non-residents. Catch record cards required for salmon,

steelhead, sturgeon and halibut, for anglers of all ages.

• Freshwater license: Required for freshwater shing, for all anglers aged sixteen and over. Available

for residents, resident seniors (70 and older), and non-residents. Catch record cards required for

salmon, steelhead and sturgeon, for anglers of all ages.

• Shellsh/seaweed license: Required for harvesters aged sixteen and over. Available for residents,

resident seniors (70 and older), and non-residents. Allows the holder to harvest clams, mussels,

oysters, shrimp, crab, squid, other shellsh, and seaweed. In addition, a Puget Sound crab

endorsement and catch record card was required to harvest Dungeness crab in Marine Areas 5-13.

• Combination license: Allows anglers to sh in both saltwater and freshwater and to harvest shellsh

and seaweed. Available for both residents and non-residents aged fteen and over.

• Fish catch record cards were required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut. Each species

group could be issued as a separate card, or included together on one card. Separate catch record

cards were required for recording Dungeness crab in Puget Sound. Separate crab cards were required

for the summer and fall/winter seasons

In 2001 WDFW implemented the Washington Interactive Licensing Data (WILD) system to electronically

capture recreational license issuance information at the point of sale. The catch record card remained the

same paper document distributed by sport license vendors, but demographic data about persons receiving

the cards became available almost immediately.

Table 1 lists license sales for the license year which ran from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Table

2 provides counts for the numbers of sh and crab catch cards issued going back to 1971. Table 3 shows the

return rate, expansion factor, and non-response bias correction factors for the 2020-2021 cards.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

METHODS

Catch Record Cards

Card Issuance

Catch cards are required for all anglers shing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut. Separate crab catch cards are

required for Dungeness crab shing in Puget Sound. The catch card requirement applies to everyone, including anglers

under the age of fteen who are not required to purchase a shing license. The rst catch card issued to an angler is free

with the purchase of a license. If an angler lls the initial card with catch, additional cards can be purchased for a fee.

Sturgeon and halibut have annual catch limits, so additional cards are not available for these species.

Most catch cards are issued from the Washington Interactive Licensing Database (WILD) system. WILD-issued cards

include the angler’s name, city of residence, and their WILD ID, a unique identier assigned to each angler in the

system. Each issued card is assigned a unique document number.

Pre-printed catch cards are provided to charter boat operators and shing guides to be issued along with one-day

charter licenses. Anglers write their name/address information on the charter card “stub” which is retained by the

operator and sent back to the agency. The same pre-printed cards may also be issued to anglers that purchase “Hot

Key” licenses. These are temporary licenses sold through the WILD system, but without the requirement for an angler

entry in the database. The angler name and address is entered on the stub, just as with charter licenses. Charter and hot

key cards make up about three to ve percent of the total card issuance annually.

Card Returns

Fish catch cards are due back on April 30, one month after the end of the license year, which runs from April 1

through March 31. Crab catch cards are issued for two separate seasons. Summer season cards are due back by

October 1; winter season cards are dub back by February 1. Cards can be mailed in or dropped off at WDFW ofces.

Online reporting is available for crab cards, but not yet for sh cards.

For sh catch cards, the CRC unit randomly selects twenty-ve percent of the cards issued each year for use in

generating catch estimates. These cards are referred to as the “in-sample” group. Cards are selected based on the last

two digits of the document numbers printed on the cards. Two reminder postcards are sent out to anglers with cards in

the in-sample range, in an effort to increase return rates. For crab catch cards, all reports are processed, including both

returned card and those reported online.

Estimation

Once the cards have been returned, the expansion factor is calculated. This is the ratio of total cards issued to cards

returned. For cards issued through the Wild system, calculating the total sold is straightforward; canceled or voided

cards are subtracted from the total issuance number to arrive at the number of valid cards that were available for

use. For charter cards, the total number of issued cards is estimated. Some, but not all, of the name/address stubs are

returned by the charter operators, and some, but not all, of the cards are returned by anglers. Thus, total issuance for

charter cards is estimated as follows:

= total charter/hot key cards issued

= in-sample name/address stubs returned

= total in-sample cards voluntarily returned (returned prior to reminder mailings)

= voluntary returns that match returned stubs

It is assumed that:

Therefore:

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Charter and hotkey cards make up less than ve percent of the total card issuance; thus, we assume that the

uncertainty in the numbers does not have a large impact in the overall estimation process.

Catch from the returned in-sample cards is expanded out across all issued cards. The expansion factor is one over the

in-sample return rate multiplied by the twenty-ve percent sample rate. In-sample return rates in recent years have

been in the 30 to 40 percent range. In 2020 the return rate was about 30%, so the expansion factor was:

= 13.34

0.30 (0.25)

Estimates are generated for each catch area, species, and time period. The following estimation method was

implemented after a ve-year intensive study conducted in the late 1980’s (Conrad, Alexandersdottir, 1993). Variance

is calculated using a random group method (Wolter, 1985) in which the in-sample returned cards are randomly

assigned to four subgroups. Estimates are then calculated separately for each subgroup as well as for the entire group,

and the variance is calculated using the deviations of the sample estimates from the over-all estimate.

In general, cards that are not returned have a lower mean catch per card than those that are returned. To adjust for this

non-response bias, a correction factor is applied. Different correction factors are used for different species.

The in-sample cards are randomly subdivided into four groups, and estimates are calculated using each of those

groups as follows:

= number of cards in subsample i

= total number of cards issued

= number of sh for subsample i

= estimated harvest based on subsample i

= non-response bias correction factor

Then the total estimate of harvest is generated as follows:

= total estimate

= variance of total estimate

The above process generates estimates for total harvest for each area/species/time period combination. For historical

reasons, the time periods differ for each species type. Calendar months are used for steelhead, sturgeon, and crab.

For salmon, statistical months or statistical weeks are often used. Statistical weeks (dened as Monday-Sunday) are

consecutively numbered weeks beginning on January 1. Statistical months are made up of a set number of statistical

weeks, which do not necessarily coincide with calendar month start and end dates.

REVIEW

The CRC catch estimates for each area/time period/species are routed to biologists (both state and tribal) for review.

The biologists are asked to list those entries that are questionable, either because the area was closed to shing

during that time period or because the likelihood of encountering that species at that time/place was low. The review

comments are compiled and used to draw up a list of those anglers reporting the questionable catch. CRC staff

attempt to contact these anglers by phone in order to resolve the issues. If the anglers cannot be reached, the biologists

make the decisions on how to handle the reports; generally if the catch is biologically feasible the report is left as

is, otherwise it is changed to “unknown”. Once the calls are completed to resolve possible errors, and the individual

catch records are corrected accordingly, the estimation process is rerun.

Salmon

Catch record card estimates are generated for both marine and freshwater areas. In areas where regular long-standing

creel surveys are conducted, the catch card numbers are replaced with the estimates generated from the creel surveys.

In marine areas, creel estimates were used in Areas 1-4 (not including Willapa Bay or Grays Harbor) and for some

Puget Sound sheries, primarily mark-selective chinook sheries in the summer and winter months. In freshwater,

creel estimates are used for catch in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Steelhead

Steelhead estimates are generated from catch card returns, as described above. Since steelhead harvest numbers are

quite small for many streams, the estimates are rst generated for entire river systems. The estimates are then broken

out across the individual streams by using catch reported from all returned cards, both those that are in the sample

group, and those that are out of sample.

Steelhead are categorized as “summer-run” or “winter-run” based on the month of harvest. In general, sh caught

from May through October are considered summer-run and sh caught from November through April are considered

winter-run. For most areas in the Columbia system above Bonneville Dam, all sh are considered summer-run.

Sturgeon

Sturgeon estimates are generated from catch card returns, as described above. Retention of Green Sturgeon is now

prohibited statewide, so most reported sh are White Sturgeon. Creel estimates are used for the lower Columbia River,

up to McNary Dam.

Marine Fish

Marine sh are those species that live their entire lives in salt water. There are four general groups of marine sh for

management purposes: 1) bottomsh, which are species such as rocksh, lingcod and ounder; 2) forage sh, which

are small schooling sh such as herring and smelt; 3) pelagic sh such as tuna and mackerel; 4) Pacic halibut.

The recreational catch of bottomsh, halibut, and tuna in ocean waters (Catch Area 1-4) is estimated from port-based

creel and effort surveys. The estimates are made for each of the four main coastal shing areas: Ilwaco, Westport, La

Push, and Neah Bay.

The Puget Sound (Catch Areas 5-13) catch of bottomsh is estimated using a combination of two surveys: a creel

survey of anglers to determine the catch rate and species composition and a phone survey of licensed anglers to

determine total shing effort. Halibut catch is estimated by combining creel data with on-the-water effort surveys.

Catch record card estimates are also generated for halibut, but these numbers are not used for the published estimates.

Recreational catch of forage sh is not routinely monitored and no harvest estimates are available.

Crab

Catch record card returns are used to estimate Dungeness crab harvest in Puget Sound. Estimates are generated for

two seasons: summer, which generally runs from June through Labor Day, and winter, which runs from the day after

Labor Day through December 31. A ten-dollar penalty is assessed for failure to report, so all returned cards and online

reports are processed and used for estimation. Non-response bias varies depending on return rate.

Estimates are not available for recreational catch of Dungeness crab from the coast or the Columbia River mouth, or

for other crab species such as Red Rock or Tanner Crab.

Shrimp

Puget Sound spot shrimp estimates are calculated from boat ramp creel surveys combined with effort estimates

generated by aerial boat counts or on-the-water buoy counts.

Clams and Oysters

Coastal razor clam harvest estimates are generated by combining effort estimates (digger trips) with catch per trip

numbers from creel surveys.

Puget Sound clam and oyster harvest estimates are generated for actively managed beaches. Aerial surveys are used

to estimate effort, and creel checks are used to determine catch per trip. For beaches that are passively managed, only

effort estimates are generated.

Ocean Catch Data

Sport catch data from coastal areas 1 – 4 were reported using “port sampling” (creel survey) catch estimates.

Such estimates were derived by monitoring daily landings at four coastal ports: Ilwaco, Westport, La Push,

and Neah Bay. Catch is reported in the area where the sh was caught and not the area where it was landed.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Statistical Months and Statistical Weeks

Some catch data (i.e. salmon and bottomsh) are reported using statistical months or statistical weeks.

Statistical weeks (dened as Monday-Sunday) are consecutively numbered weeks beginning on January

1 and continuing through week 53 or 54, ending on December 31. The rst and last weeks of any year

usually contain less than 7 days. Statistical months are made up of a set number of statistical weeks, which

approximate calendar months but do not coincide with calendar month start and end dates. For example,

in 2020, the statistical month of January begins January 1 and ends February 2 and the statistical month of

February starts on February 3 and ends March 2. Due to the differences between calendar and statistical

months, some catch may be reported during what appears to be a closed period.

Salmon

Annual sport salmon catch estimates for 1971 through 2020 are shown in Table 4. Between April 1, 2020,

and March 31, 2021 a total of 150,834 salmon were caught in marine areas, and 221,450 salmon were caught

in freshwater. The marine totals by species, as shown in Table 5, are: 28,082 chinook; 120,497 coho; 2,043

chum; 25 pink; 0 sockeye; and 185 jacks (all species combined). Freshwater species breakdowns are: 80,827

chinook; 52,822 coho; 4,368 chum; 0 pink; 60,969 sockeye; 22,664 jacks (all species combined).

Catch record card returns are used to estimate sport salmon catch in marine and freshwater areas. For some

areas, the catch cards numbers are replaced with estimates based on creel surveys. In marine areas, creel

estimates were used in Areas 1-4 (not including Willapa bay or Grays Harbor), and for many of the Puget

Sound sheries including the summer months in Area 5, 9, 10 and 11.

Sturgeon

On the new combined sport catch record card, sturgeon shers were required to record their catch statewide.

The total sport harvest for 2020, based on creel surveys and catch record card returns, was 1,329 sh.

Sturgeon retention was only allowed in the Columbia and Snake River systems.

Steelhead

Harvest estimates for sport-caught summer and winter steelhead are based on catch record card returns.

Steelhead caught during the months of May through October are considered “summer-runs,” designated

S. Steelhead caught from November through April are considered “winter-runs,” designated W, with

the exception of steelhead caught above Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, where all steelhead are

considered “summer-runs,”, because of run and spawn timing.

Table 31 presents steelhead sport harvest estimates for the 2020-2021 season geographically by stream and

river system. Monthly estimate totals are given for marked and unmarked steelhead.

Marine Fish

Marine sh are those species of sh which live their entire lives in salt water. There are four general groups

of marine sh for management purposes: 1) bottomsh, which are species such as rocksh, lingcod and most

species of sole and ounder; 2) forage sh, which are small, schooling sh such as herring and smelt; 3)

tunas and mackerels; 4) Pacic halibut.

The recreational catch of bottomsh and halibut in ocean waters (Catch Areas 1-4) is estimated from marine

surveys (Table 35 and 36). The estimates are made for each of the four main coastal shing areas: Ilwaco,

Westport, La Push and Neah Bay.

The Puget Sound (Catch Areas 5-13) catch of bottomsh, excluding halibut, is estimated using a combination

of two surveys: a creel survey of anglers to determine the catch rate and species composition and a phone

survey of licensed anglers to determine total shing effort. These estimates are shown in Table 37. The

recreational catch of forage sh is not routinely monitored and no harvest estimate is available.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Shellsh

Razor clam harvest on the coastal beaches is summarized in Table 38. During the fall of 2020 and the spring

of 2020 81,508 digging trips resulted in a harvest of 1,222,732 clams, for an average of 15 clams per trip.

Puget Sound recreational clam and oyster harvest estimates are shown in Table 39. Harvest totals for Manila

and native littleneck clams, butter clams, cockles, softshell clams, horse clams, geoducks and oysters are

shown for public access beaches. Estimates show 100,289 sport harvester trips gathered 240,912 total

pounds of clams and 760,613 oysters in 2020 on the monitored beaches.

The Puget Sound and Hood Canal shrimp shery harvest is reported in Table 40. Shrimpers caught

201,983 pounds of shrimp between May and September. The sport crab shery in the Puget Sound areas is

summarized in Table 41. Crabbers harvested an estimated 1,649,095 pounds of Dungeness crab.

REFERENCES

Conrad, R. and M. Alexandersdottir. 1993. Estimating the Harvest of Salmon by the Puget Sound Sport Fishery in

Puget Sound: Evaluation and Recommendations. Northwest Fishery Resource Bulletin, Manuscript Series Report No.

1. 82 p.

Wolter, K.M. 1985. Introduction to Variance Estimation. In: Springer Series in Statistics. Springer-Verlag. New York.

427 p.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

sport

LiCenses

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

*Value does not include service charges and other fees that are included in the listed customer price.

Table 1. Number and Value of Sport Fishing Licenses Sold in Washington.

April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021 - License Year

Type of License Price Number Sold Value

Saltwater

Resident $30.05 33,210 $830,250

Non-Resident $59.75 2,299 $119,548

Senior $8.05 4,928 $24,640

Freshwater

Resident $29.50 379,361 $9,484,025

Non-Resident $84.50 12,467 $935,025

Senior $7.5 0 32,466 $162,330

Shellsh/Seaweed

Resident $17. 40 96,819 $968,190

Non-Resident $36.10 4,937 $133,299

Senior $7.5 0 10,862 $54,310

Combination (Saltwater/Freshwater/Shellsh)

Resident $55.35 126,039 $5,671,755

Fish Washington $69.55 60,431 $1,545,896

Get Outdoors $23 6.18 4,959 $720,569

Non-Resident $124.65 4,293 $463,644

Senior $19.05 21,780 $326,700

Disabled/Veteran - Res $11.35 17, 28 4 $86,420

Disabled/Veteran - NR $55.35 435 $19,575

Youth $8.05 12,303 $61,515

Short-term Combination

1-day Resident $11.35 45,348 $362,784

1-day Non-Resident $20.15 26,142 $418,272

2-day Resident $15.75 8,960 $107,52 0

2-day Non-Resident $28.95 8,864 $212,736

3-day Resident $19.05 10,483 $157, 24 5

3-day Non-Resident $35.55 14,390 $431,700

Razor Clam

Annual Resident $14.10 10,993 $87,944

Annual Non-resident $21.80 1,316 $21,939

3-day $9.70 6,017 $29,655

PS Crab Endorsement

Annual $8.75 129,001 $ 9 67, 50 8

1-5 day $3.80 9,478 $28,434

Catch Cards with Halibut

All $5.00 36,553 $182,765

Charter/Guide Stamps

Charter/Guide Stamps $8.50 20,915 $177,778

Two-Rod Endorsements

Resident / Non-resident $14.80 81,390 $1,058,070

Senior $6.00 14,712 $73,560

Columbia River Endorsements

Resident / Non-resident $8.75

Senior / Youth $7.10

Duplicates

Additional Catch Cards $12.60 15,943 $175,373

Licenses $9.70 227 $1,249

Total 1,265,605 $26,102,223

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

teChniCaL Data

*Value does not include service charges and other fees that are included in the listed customer price.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Table 2. Number of Catch Record Cards Issued 1971-2020

Year Salmon Steelhead Sturgeon

1971 541,600 145,647

1972 536,750 153,977

1973 568,825 165,671

1974 562,375 154,051

1975 576,075 no data

1976 66 0,150 no data

1977 641,050 no data

1978 580,375 130,000

1979 487,875 136,000

1980 433,700 139,500

1981 463,561 132,000

1982 481,915 100,000

1983 481,025 101,800

1984 364,286 133,400

1985 403,523 121,500

1986 431,898 100,500

1987 475,459 102,000

1988 486,356 108,182 33,195

1989 509,534 106,666 35,576

1990 497, 215 98,362 32,421

1991 489,394 98,328 32,396

1992 419,986 98,933 37,615

1993 447,9 8 6 94,913 43,067

1994 244,629 87,0 93 54,837

1995 416,707 101,303 62,572

1996 333,773 92,858 69,639

1997 331,511 68,341 76,806

1998 265,296 85,636 79,264

1999-2000 352,003 183,520 132,503

Combined Crab - Summer Crab - Winter

2000-2001* 539,898

2001-2002 827,4 43

2002-2003 767,465

2003-2004 799,326

2004-2005 715,395

2005-2006 686,831

2006-2007 672,753

2007-2008** 640,893 210,327 157,712

2008-2009 603,539 210,893 207,143

2009-2010 729,319 236,665 89,259

2010-2011 574,969

208,458

70,731

2011-2012 632,564

230,355

28,514

2012-2013 566,372 200,711 27,711

2013-2014 631,536 214,692 29,638

2014-2015 606,471 213,741 35,371

2015-2016 636,596 232,619 36,397

2016-2017 499,989 216,949 26,591

2017-2018 541,830 21 5,929 23,277

2018-2019

498,791 200,962 24,620

2019-2020

499,128 192,794 23,578

2020-2021

579,430 213,823 36,458

*Starng with the 2000-2001 season, all species were combined on a single card.

**Starting with the 2007-2008 season, separate cards were issued for Dungeness Crab, for both the summer season

and the fall/winter season.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Table 3. 2020-2021 Catch Record Card Technical Data

Cards Issued 579,430

In-sample cards 143,436

In-sample cards returned 39,146

Expansion Factor (Cards Issued / In-sample Returns) 14.80

Non-reporting bias correction factors

Salmon - Marine Area 5 1.00

Salmon - Puget Sound Marine Areas 1.46

Salmon - Freshwater, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay 1.20

Steelhead 0.98

Sturgeon 1.00

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Salmon

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020

July 2022

Map of saLMon CatCh reCorD CarD areas

Marine Waters onLy

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

1 ILWACO West of the Buoy 10 line at the Columbia River mouth, north to

Leadbetter Point.

2 WESTPORT-OCEAN SHORES From Leadbetter Point north to the Queets River, excluding

Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.

2-1 WILLAPA BAY East of a line from Leadbetter Point to Cape Shoalwater.

2-2 GRAYS HARBOR East of a line from the tip of the North Jetty to exposed end of

the South Jetty.

3 LA PUSH From the Queets River north to Cape Alava.

4 NEAH BAY From Cape Alava north and inside Juan de Fuca Strait to the

Sekiu River.

5 SEKIU AND PILLAR POINT From mouth of the Sekiu River east to Low Point, mouth of the

Lyre River.

6 EAST JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT From Low Point east to the Partridge Point - Point Wilson line north

to the line from Trial Island (near Victoria B.C.) - Vessel Trafc

Separation Buoy “R” - Smith Island to the Lawson Reef Buoy to

Northwest Island to the Initiative 77 marker on Fidalgo Island.

7 SAN JUAN ISLANDS All marine waters north of the Trial Island line described under

Area 6 to the United States-Canada boundary.

8-1 DECEPTION PASS, SK AGIT BAY From West Point to Reservation Head eastward through Deception

Pass, including all waters of Swinomish Slough and Skagit Bay, and

the portion of Saratoga Passage north and west of a line from East

Point Light to light on Camano Island (Saratoga Pass Light #4Fl Red

4 Sec.).

8-2 PORTS SUSAN AND GARDNER East of East Point Light-Camano Island Light line (described in 8-1

above) and north of the Possession Point-Shipwreck line (described

in 9 below).

9 ADMIRALTY INLET All waters inside and south of the Partridge Point - Point Wilson line,

south and west of a line from Possession Point 110º true to

shipwreck, north of the Hood Canal Bridge, and north of the Apple

Cove Point-Edwards Point line.

10 SEATTLE-BREMERTON AREA South from the Apple Cove Point-Edwards Point line to a line

projected true east- west through the north tip of Vashon Island.

11 TACOMA-VASHON ISLAND South from a line projected true east west through the north tip of

Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

12 HOOD CANAL All waters south of the Hood Canal Bridge.

13 SOUTH PUGET SOUND All waters south of Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

FRESHWATER AREAS RIVERS OR STREAMS OR LAKES - Name of river, stream or lake,

except for Buoy 10

BUOY 10 (1A) From Buoy 10 Line to Rocky Point-Tongue Point Line

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020

July 2022

Table 4. Annual Sport Salmon Catch 1971-2020

Year Tot al

Fresh-

water

Un-

known

Area

2-1

Area

2-2

Area

8-1

Area

8-2

Area

1971 1,344,818 145,904 342,928 446,738 39,682 87,18 4 71,947 39,573 28,355 5,189 54,920 35,225 27, 3 3 2 19,841

1972 1,138,926 121,432 307,938 353,113 31,278 61,704 45,446 45,058 29,536 3,097 42,968 32,942 35,962 28,452

1973 1,095,360 147,554 236,385 348,406 49,900 48,645 33,347 40,308 14,852 3,966 52,935 42,574 61,919 14,569

1974 1,320,420 88,048 334,664 320,467 74,832 80,362 50,319 53,222 36,318 5,491 76,518 69,341 105,110 25,728

1975 1,399,375 101,531 308,475 331,565 57, 3 56 59,451 48,975 74,336 37,626 7,7 2 6 100,089 78,832 162,072 31,341

1976 1,749,560 100,601 433,026 543,295 70,133 68,670 63,966 102,639 55,396 21,688 88,737 62,607 61,562 24,405 52,835

1977 1,191,414 96,843 248,518 321,888 38,359 86,186 73,106 61,568 31,709 17,79 2 64,651 39,372 44,657 22,020 44,745

1978 1,107,852 86,845 220,548 269,338 24,439 52,270 59,400 68,849 36,293 13,229 73,187 56,479 48,018 26,801 72,15 6

1979 1,123,809 88,659 167, 478 174,365 24,16 0 53,840 134,354 70,839 48,101 33,835 104,619 71,167 71,495 20,006 60,891

1980 852,879 105,461 158,883 163,748 19,146 29,500 39,587 52,663 24,457 18,432 60,072 52,128 57,751 17,13 8 53,913

1981 76 0,10 4 5 8,128 142,879 151,301 1,734 36,883 55,900 56,318 21,826 16,986 67,83 8 42,602 42,175 14,989 50,545

1982 749,995 91,849 102,769 13,069 158,005 9,857 42,716 67,611 33,870 12,947 9,940 49,853 49,727 51,975 8,672 47,13 5

1983 860,623 108,783 95,593 3,006 100,791 7,318 58,469 62,486 74,311 29,844 23,268 98,485 54,228 72,772 11,756 59,513

1984 561,428 142,170 23,927 55,865 16,631 167 6,604 39,276 67, 246 29,985 17,442 79,526 24,130 28,781 5,158 24,520

1985 686,333 107,734 75,013 18,914 93,620 2,062 26,878 101,920 45,342 23,798 25,427 75,193 33,019 38,157 4,897 14,359

1986 830,644 115,46 9 69,915 86,360 98,421 2,553 25,027 138,951 71,544 27,550 26,822 79,730 33,686 33,891 3,460 17,26 5

1987 782,834 110,636 62,393 61,048 71,458 3,005 29,418 107,13 8 82,377 27,152 31,421 86,270 42,179 32,753 8,947 26,639

1988 703,088 168,594 22,960 120,019 62,001 3,341 19,576 107,935 47,483 22,225 16,514 47,109 28,020 22,202 2,420 12,689

1989 832,214 121,417 87,755 67,73 4 100,000 2,405 44,600 164,580 64,766 19,078 23,165 63,724 36,748 24,561 4,588 7,093

1990 824,14 3 107,934 97, 84 4 16,850 102,984 5,809 48,329 223,012 54,848 12,797 14,865 57,875 47,519 25,555 1,618 6,304

1991 943,473 153,719 77,60 8 152,974 107,3 6 2 1,965 9,047 5,615 43,357 216,816 42,812 16,602 3,528 16,809 40,390 32,229 15,549 3,225 3,866

1992 569,195 90,032 48,356 37,157

67,427 1,978 2,031 25,820 108,876 30,894 12,515 3,295 11,836 47,157 51,338 18 ,198 6,303 5,982

1993 599,361 145,579 49,587 17,975 5 7, 9 90 2,260 743 3,469 31,15 4 80,496 4 4,174 35,697 6,15 0 18,170 41,949 36,699 14,130 3,540 9,599

1994 156,896 61,142 1,069 71 2,574 1,971 Closed Closed 518 1,184 8,322 1,917 3,301 6,978 23,279 25,360 8,905 10,305

1995 524,232 190,158 3,743 24,954 29,122 936 1,799 1,990 15,604 53,553 20,617 23,801 23,503 42,900 22,920 28,560 28,242 5,200 6,630

1996 390,660 161,108 17, 8 82 3,509 23,089 2,422 2,601 1,901 8,750 41,820 18,10 3 15,486 2,350 13,968 20,343 18,972 25,417 6,408 6,531

1997 394,868 98,220 11,976 22,441 16,261 409 1,433 1,260 2,577 52,890 23,614 35,016 5,894 37,649 24,356 25,277 23,146 7,089 5,360

1998 235,466 78,664 4,738 5,364 9,348 1,329 2,970 762 8,045 24,509 6,657 5,801 2,095 12,409 24,324 16,674 17,272 7,782 6,723

1999 239,317 92,611 21,989 11,222 19,056 2,137 1,207 4,387 6,650 24,546 3,509 5,765 1,519 8,805 9,228 4,009 14,517 4,046 4,114

2000 401,180 191,805 4,228 27,889 16,335 34,636 870 2,736 2,519 11,652 29,883 4,334 7,178 2,10 5 12,798 12,608 15,681 14,212 4,580 5,131

2001 1,056,395 405,590 11,042 82,641 80,701 85,645 1,255 5,784 4,18 8 21,991 87,639 12,081 17,26 8 17,6 8 5 74,947 70,259 26,448 27,761 17, 67 7 5,793

2002 551,479 306,424 6,443 53,015 61,715 960 3,530 3,736 13,523 35,10 0 1,418 8,326 1,544 8,609 12,731 11, 885 12,044 7, 0 3 9 3,437

2003 810,616 342,884 6,940 83,16 4 64,733 1,953 2,135 6,537 32,207 88,885 13,781 12,409 10,573 51,784 44,697 16,5 41 17,719 10,898 2,776

2004 474,929 214,116 2,562 59,321 38,616 1,759 6,017 5,152 34,760 45,000 2,511 3,428 1,117 7, 6 06 15,024 13,766 13,944 7,2 9 3 2,937

2005 451,411 200,535 1,789 38,490 32,823 3,580 1,910 4,316 15,297 58,621 3,295 5,934 1,691 18,846 24,125 12,866 15,022 8,392 3,879

2006 288,716 174,224 1,212 21,254 14,506 3,368 1,812 3,754 7,136 13,244 1,601 4,486 378 2,280 6,398 11,193 12,024 6,214 3,632

2007 545,737 231,800 2,501 49,108 28,694 1,473 1,635 3,545 16,057 75,084 6,626 9,961 1,513 21,604 41,906 20,149 22,602 6,955 4,524

2008 251,975 160,431 1,491 11,729 16,983 2,788 1,001 1,356 3,415 14,765 1,437 3,651 580 1,303 6,982 8,007 9,598 3,124 3,334

2009 1,074,938 571,230 16,885 69,430 60,414 5,975 5,257 10,437 69,692 73,767 16,056 10,173 6,207 32,774 63,436 30,738 26,325 4,081 2,061

2010 335,931 204,196 3,881 24,191 39,821 1,893 2,122 2,19 6 6,934 19,540 3,014 4,543 234 961 7,78 6 6,369 4,621 2,415 1,214

2011 906,876 572,283 15,699 26,948 34,069 6,314 3,327 5,558 13,024 62,003 20,257 19,305 12,935 23,979 35,631 23,810 22,540 5,738 3,456

2012 584,694 285,247 4,624 17,131

31,417 4,358 9,030 3,804 12,787 72,396 17,49 4 9,228 2,549 13,863 53,679 25,308 12,690 6,855 2,234

2013 1,125,794 732,850 8,557 23,121 35,062 2,756 2,660 6,117 18,368 65,534 26,851 26,506 10,227 26,038 85,769 31,508 15,574 5,541 2,755

2014 698,126 346,446 6,772 67,498 77,815 14,583 7, 3 97 7,4 8 4 10,248 52,908 21,705 11,222 3,743 9,414 36,758 14,032 4,693 3,544 1,864

2015 1, 0 47,6 9 3 522,10 2 11,060 45,127 51,905 19,051 2,475 4,041 18,228 81,907 34,792 40,107 10,743 37,910 117, 477 31,481 12,217 4,331 2,739

2016 305,960 220,736 2,687 21,034 8,352 7,4 52 819 164 3,415 4,224 7,317 6,205 517 1,14 3 5,754 1,635 2,167 9,675 2,664

2017 388,305 220,195 2,655 21,544 21,498 6,192 2,494 2,025 11,732 13,318 5,852 13,055 517 1,496 14,286 25,579 8,726 11,397 5,744

2018 337,807 152,856 1,766 15,063 2 0,122 1,969 1,289 1,13 0 8,225 19,505 14,972 13,867 1,640 11,646 15,924 32,650 12,468 8,228 4,487

2019 427,475 194,154 2,083 39,690 22,16 8 3,193 2,117 2,656 10,931 24,287 12,334 11,916 2,402 11,614 32,489 39,879 8,810 3,626 3,126

2020 372,284 219,529 1,921 9,936 12,534 1,472 2,637 151 5,115 42,018 7,657 12,528 441 10,680 31,964 5,790 4,519 3,392

Note: In 1976, several area boundary lines were changed resulting in thirteen catch areas instead of twelve. The changes were mostly reected in catch Areas 8, 9 ,10 and new Area 13. In 1989, catch Area 8 was subdivided into

Areas 8.1 and 8.2 and catch Area 2 was subdivided into Areas 2, 2-1 and 2-2. For comparative purposes, the catch for Areas 8-1 and 8-2 are totaled and entered under Area 8 until 1990. Beginning in 1991, Areas 8-1 and 8-2, are

reported separately. Similarly, the catch in Areas 2, 2-1 and 2-2 are included in the total catch for Area 2 until 1990. Beginning in 1991, they are reported separately. The total catch for Area 1 and Area 1A is included in the total

catch for Area 1 until 1981. Starting in 1982, they are reported separately. Beginning in 2002, Area 1A catch is included in the freshwater total.

Note: Prior to 1999, sport salmon estimates were based on calendar years. In 1999, the sport estimates cover January 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000. Starting in 2000, sport salmon estimates are based on the shing license year

which runs from April 1 to March 31.

Washington State Sport Catch Report 2020 July 2022

Table 4. Annual Sport Salmon Catch 1971-2020

Year Tot al

Fresh-

water

Un-

known

Area

2-1

Area

2-2

Area

8-1

Area

8-2

Area

1971 1,344,818 145,904 342,928 446,738 39,682 87,18 4 71,947 39,573 28,355 5,189 54,920 35,225 27,332 19,841

1972 1,138,926 121,432 307,938 353,113 31,278 61,704 45,446 45,058 29,536 3,097 42,968 32,942 35,962 28,452

1973 1,095,360 147,554 236,385 348,406 49,900 48,645 33,347 40,308 14,852 3,966 52,935 42,574 61,919 14,569

1974 1,320,420 88,048 334,664 320,467 74,832 80,362 50,319 53,222 36,318 5,491 76,518 69,3 41 105,110 25,728

1975 1,399,375 101,531 308,475 331,565 57,3 5 6 59,451 48,975 74,336 37,626 7,72 6 100,089 78,832 162,072 31,3 41

1976 1,749,560 100,601 433,026 543,295 70,133 68,670 63,966 102,639 55,396 21,688 88,737 62,607 61,562 24,405 52,835

1977 1,191,414 96,843 248,518 321,888 38,359 86,186 73,106 61,568 31,709 17,79 2 64,651 39,372 44,657 22,020 44,745

1978 1,107,852 86,845 220,548 269,338 24,439 52,270 59,400 68,849 36,293 13,229 73,187 56,479 48,018 26,801 72,156

1979 1,123,809 88,659 167, 478 174,365 24,16 0 53,840 134,354 70,839 48,101 33,835 104,619 71,167 71,495 20,006 60,891

1980 852,879 105,461 158,883 163,748 19,146 29,500 39,587 52,663 24,457 18,432 60,072 52,128 57,751 17,13 8 53,913

1981 76 0,10 4 5 8,128 142,879 151,301 1,734 36,883 55,900 56,318 21,826 16,986 67,83 8 42,602 42,175 14,989 50,545

1982 749,995 91,849 102,769 13,069 158,005 9,857 42,716 67,611 33,870 12,947 9,940 49,853 49,727 51,975 8,672 47,13 5

1983 860,623 108,783 95,593 3,006 100,791 7,318 58,469 62,486 74,311 29,844 23,268 98,485 54,228 72,772 11,756 59,513

1984 561,428 142,170 23,927 55,865 16,631 167 6,604 39,276 67, 24 6 29,985 17,442 79,526 24,130 28,781 5,158 24,520

1985 686,333 107,734 75,013 18,914 93,620 2,062 26,878 101,920 45,342 23,798 25,427 75,193 33,019 3 8 ,157 4,897 14,359

1986 830,644 115,46 9 69,915 86,360 98,421 2,553 25,027 138,951 71,544 27,550 26,822 79,730 33,686 33,891 3,460 17,265

1987 782,834 110,636 62,393 61,048 71,458 3,005 29,418 107,13 8 82,377 27,152 31,421 86,270 42,179 32,753 8,947 26,639

1988 703,088 168,594 22,960 120,019 62,001 3,341 19,576 107,935 47, 4 8 3 22,225 16,514 47,109 28,020 22,202 2,420 12,689