Puget Sound Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Area 29

To preserve recreational fishing opportunities within the sheltered waters of the Puget Sound, which have historically provided the citizens of the state with the safest and most convenient access to productive marine recreational fishing. Recreational fishing opportunities in the Puget Sound for salmon and marine bottomfish have declined in the past two decades. Seasonal and permanent closures ensure that fish stocks are rebuilt and that fishing opportunities are restored.

Species of Concern: Multiple, Lingcod, Herring, Anchovy, Bottomfish, English sole, Starry flounder, Shellfish, Sixgill shark, Rockfish

Restrictions

1. It is unlawful to possess lingcod taken with commercial gear from June 16 through April 30.
2. It is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess bottomfish with drag seine gear for commercial purposes.
3. It is unlawful to trawl for scallops in these waters.
The following restrictions apply to all Puget Sound Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas:
1. It is unlawful to possess English sole less than 12 inches in length taken with commercial bottomfish gear.
2. It is unlawful to fish for or possess for commercial purposes any starry flounder less than 14 inches in length taken by any commercial gear.
3. It is unlawful to retain sixgill shark taken with commercial fishing gear.
4. It is unlawful to retain any species of rockfish taken with commercial fishing gear.
5. It is unlawful to fish for or possess bottomfish taken with the following gear: otter trawl, beam trawl, dogfish set net gear, pacific cod set net gear, set line gear, commercial jig gear, and troll line gear.

Allowed

1. Hardshell clams, oysters, or geoducks are excluded from this closure.
2. Purse seine gear may be used in herring and anchovy fisheries during seasons set by emergency rule.