Record-breaking sockeye salmon year in Central Washington
2024 is proving to be a phenomenal year for sockeye salmon in Central Washington, with record numbers of fish making their way upriver. Through July 31, an astounding 165,071 sockeye have been counted at Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River. This figure surpasses the previous record by 54,378 fish and is 68,071 fish over the preseason forecast of 97,000. When looking at the sockeye counts between Rock Island Dam and Rocky Reach Dam, the run could be over 175,000 by the end of the season.
Records at the Chelan Public Utility District facility along Highway 2 west of Leavenworth go back to 1999 when only 1,172 fish were counted. The previous high mark of 110,693 fish was set just two years ago. This year’s run well exceeds the spawning escapement goal for the watershed, which enabled the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to open sockeye fishing early on Lake Wenatchee, much to the delight of anglers.
Lake Wenatchee sockeye are part of the broader Columbia River sockeye run. Bonneville Dam, the first dam on the Columbia River above the Pacific Ocean, also set a new sockeye record this year with 755,594 fish counted through Aug. 4 — an impressive 92,000 more than the previous record.
Contributors to this record run are likely favorable juvenile outmigration conditions, which included high flows that transported the young sockeye swiftly to the ocean, reducing predation and increasing survival rates. Improved ocean conditions with cooler water temperatures and abundant food resources also contributed to the strong returns.
Despite concerns about the impact of water temperatures on this year’s run, dam counts indicate that 95% of the sockeye that passed Bonneville made it through the Columbia Gorge and into the Upper Columbia River past Priest Rapids Dam.
“The strong sockeye returns have made for a great summer fishery. With such promising numbers, the future looks bright for sockeye salmon in the region,” said Chad Jackson, WDFW’s Regional Fish Program Manager. “It’s an exciting time for both conservationists and anglers.”
While the sockeye numbers are cause for celebration, it’s not all positive news on the Wenatchee River system. The summer Chinook recreational fishing season on the river was closed before it even opened, as hatchery and natural-origin Chinook returns are expected to fall short of broodstock and spawning escapement goals.
Still, for those who love good salmon news, 2024 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for sockeye in Central Washington. Learn more about fishing for sockeye at Lake Wenatchee in our Salmon Fishing Current blog. We have information about fishing for sockeye, when to arrive, where to park, and other important information to help anglers enjoy this busy fishery.
