I have had many people ask if I knew what the forecasts were for the Lake Wenatchee sockeye, Icicle spring Chinook, and steelhead runs. While the run forecasts are very preliminary and will be updated when the runs pass the Bonneville Dan and later at Priest Rapids dam, where the final numbers are given, they still provide some anticipation. The early forecast for Lake Wenatchee sockeye is for a run size of 20,000 fish. We need 23,000 at a minimum to open, but that is within the error bars of the forecast.
The Icicle Spring Chinook fishery is open. The run is late, but forecasted to be very good with over 5000 fish expected at the Leavenworth hatchery. I fished with 2 friends last Tue. and we caught 3 nice Chinook. On Wed. they caught 6, so the bite is on. Steelhead, we have the least information, but a normal run size is expected. That should guarantee the Methow River to be open and sell as the Columbia River.
It is much too early to know about 2009 Lake Wenatchee Sockeye season, I will do another update when the fish pass Priest Rapid dam.
Rollie Schmitten
Admin: Rollie is the Lake Wenatchee Info wildlife and fishing “editor”, a Lake Wenatchee resident, Rollie served as the Washington State Director of Fisheries. The federal (National Marine Fisheries Service) West Coast Regional Director, and as a US Whaling Commissioner before retiring full time to the lake. For other articles written by Rollie selecting the Fishing Category on the right sidebar.
Photo courtsey of Brian Moran.
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Most importantly, Rollie is one heckuva fisherman. He can pull a fish out of the boots of the guy next to him, a guy who hasn’t had a bite all day. If he told me there was a run of Chinook in a rain barrel, I’d believe him.
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