Ask Fish and Game: Fishing in Closed Waters

Q. Can I still fish catch-and-release for salmon in the Little Salmon River even though it has been closed to salmon fishing? A. No. It is illegal to fish for salmon in areas closed to salmon fishing - including catch-and-release. You can fish for other species in waters that also have salmon. But any unintentionally hooked salmon must be released immediately. If you fish with salmon gear in a closed area, a conservation officer may think you are fishing for salmon and cite you for it.