OLYMPIA, Wash. — Salmon fishing in the ocean and the Columbia River this summer could be great thanks to an abundant run of hatchery coho and a potentially historic return of chinook, according to state fishery managers.

The forecasts – developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and treaty Indian tribes – for chinook, coho, sockeye and chum salmon were released at a public meeting in Olympia recently, marking the starting point for developing 2014 salmon fishing seasons.

Ron Warren, fisheries policy lead for WDFW, said protecting and restoring weak wild salmon populations will continue to be the top priority as fishery managers develop salmon seasons.

“It’s early in the process, but these forecasts point to an exciting summer of salmon fishing,” Warren said. “We look forward to working with our tribal co-managers and constituents to establish fishing opportunities on abundant runs of hatchery salmon while ensuring we meet our conservation goals for wild fish populations.”

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