WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Sockeye salmon fishing has been added to allowable pastimes in certain parts of the Salish Sea.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that salmon retention has expanded to include sockeye beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 19 until the end of the month.

This only applies to several marine areas in the Salish Sea and does not apply to Bellingham Bay.

Anglers in the San Juan Islands and the East Strait of the Juan de Fuca can catch up to two sockeye per day in addition to the two pink salmon already allowed.

Chinook, chum and wild coho salmon should still be released.

WDFW says the opening comes as an above-projected forecast of sockeye are expected to return to the Fraser River this year.