Dungeness River poaching incident stirs Fish and Wildlife patrol increase

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The state Fish and Wildlife Department says low streamflows this time of year make fish vulnerable to snagging and other illegal fishing.

The department says an enforcement office recently caught two anglers poaching two chinook salmon on the Dungeness River. The two fish represent 10 percent of all the wild chinook that have returned so far to the Clallam County river, which is closed to fishing to protect the threatened species.

Sgt. Phillip Henry says the department is stepping up patrols along rivers. Fishing in closed waters carries a penalty of $1,000. The penalty for snagging is $5,000.

The department asks witnesses to call the Poaching Hot Line at 877-933-9847.