There are only 12 licenses for reefnet fishing remaining in the US, and 8 of them fish salmon in Legoe Bay on Lummi Island, WA. This is a photo essay looking at the people, the gear, the fishing and the island where it happens.
Reefnet fishing allows fish to be sorted so that by-catch death is almost eliminated. Here, sockeye salmon are in the live well where they are sorted from the pink salmon. If a wild King salmon is caught, it can be easily released back into the waters.
Simon, one of the reefnet fisherman, sits in his converted Land Cruiser on Legoe Bay.
Roger installs 2 new solar panels to power the cameras used to see the fish entering the net.
Steve releases a King salmon that came in with the Sockeyes and Pinks. Reefnet fishing eliminates almost all by-catch.
Before the fishing season opens, Bob works on the wall lines used to create an artificial reef that leads the salmon up to the net.
One of the reefnet boats directly after being launched from the beach.
Sierra, seen from the camera house during an opener.
Inspirational message written on the gear by one of the crew’s children.
After their skiff blew onto the beach during a windy storm, Sam helps guide the skiff onto its trailer before it can be relaunched into the bay.
Sully, one of the fishermen, stands in an equipment shed.
Salmon are transfered from the boat to large plastic totes so they can be brought ashore to the waiting buyer.
Jeff, a reefnet captain, sits in his gear before it is launched for the season.
On board a reefnet gear during the 2025 season.
Roger, in the gear yard.
Owen stands in the live well after sorting and bleeding the salmon.
Reefnet fisherman haul in their net by hand to spill the caught salmon into their live-well, where the fish can be sorted and humanely bled.
Crew pull in the net by hand. Winch motors that pull in certain parts of the net are powered by solar panels, making reefnet fishing uniquely sustainable.
Ryan and Johnny, on Legoe Bay Rd, during a break in fishing on a split-tide day.
Matt sits on one of the lookout perches as the boat is towed out to its anchor.
Stu makes repairs on the net before the season starts.
Steve, in the gear yard with the collection of old fish-spotting towers.
The reefnet gears in Legoe Bay can be seen from a hill-side residence above the bay.
Fake owls and falcons are used to scare off seagulls from taking up residence on the gear.
The crew uses cell phone flashlights to help sort the remaining fish after the sun set.
Kevin waits for the next school of salmon to enter the net.
Dave, one of the fishermen, and his dog Tundra.
Fresh Sockeye salmon frozen after being cleaned.
Johnny watches for fish from one of the gear towers.
Pete and Deb Granger, long time reefnetters.
Sam helps run the tender business on shore, weighing and purchasing the salmon caught by most of the fleet on Lummi Island.
A crew hauls in lines as they set their gear for the coming season.
A light moment in the skiff as one of the crews returns to shore after working on the gear.
Paul sits in front of a historic beachfront cabin that used to house reefnet fisherman during the season. He plans to restore this building to its original appearance.
A crew works to attach their line to one of the massive head cans that anchor the opening of the reefnet.
Work on the reefnet before the season begins.
At a local festival, freshly caught sockeye salmon are filleted and sold to local residents and visitors.
At a celebratory beach cookout, crew members clean freshly caught crab for the evenings dinner.
Jack, one of the reefnet fishermen, returns buoys to the yard.
A full team of crew and family members help to launch one of the reefnet gears into Legoe Bay.
Stu, one of the gear captains, on Legoe Bay Rd at sunset.
A crew works to get their gear ready for the salmon season.
A crew member works to retrieve the cart that launched the reefnet gear into the water.
Riley, one of the reefnet gear captains, in Legoe Bay.
A portion of the freshly caught salmon are sold to island residents on the beach.
A reefnet at sunset.
After helping launch the gear, crew member Sully jumps from the tower into the waters of Legoe Bay.