ILWACO, Wash. – Preseason salmon forecasts released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife point to strong fishing opportunities this year in a number of areas, although some weak stocks may require additional protections.

The forecast for Columbia River hatchery fall chinook salmon should support good opportunities for catching chinook in the ocean, while Columbia River fall upriver “bright” chinook salmon will support excellent chinook fisheries in the river, WDFW fisheries managers say.

However, returns of lower Columbia River coho salmon are expected to be significantly below what was forecast in 2004. The forecast of 78,000 Columbia River late stock coho is nearly 200,000 fewer fish than the forecast for 2004 and will mean restrictions in ocean and lower Columbia River coho fisheries.

A forecast of more than 350,000 Columbia River upriver chinook is nearly 60,000 fish higher than the 2004 forecast and are the backbone of Columbia River chinook fisheries, said Pat Pattillo, WDFW salmon policy coordinator.

WDFW has scheduled public meetings to discuss regional fisheries issues. Input from these discussions will be considered as the preseason process moves into the North of Falcon and PFMC meetings to determine final 2004 salmon seasons. The meetings are set for:

7 p.m. Tuesday at Montesano High School, 303 North Church St. for Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and coastal river sport fishery and commercial fishery proposals;

9 a.m. March 14 at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way in Vancouver, Wash., to discuss Columbia River mainstem and tributary salmon fishing expectations and proposals.

Final ocean fishing harvest levels and seasons should be set at an April 4-8 meeting in Tacoma. The co-managers will complete the 2005 salmon fisheries package for Washington’s inside waters by the conclusion of the PFMC’s April meeting.

The preseason salmon forecasts, proposed fishing options and details on upcoming public meetings will be posted as they become available on the North of Falcon portion of WDFW’s Web site (www.wdfw.wa.gov)