As L-13 pointed out, there have been drastic reductions on chinook salmon for quite awhile now. I can't recall them off hand anymore but do know it was hit hard again in 2017 and continues to decline by a % .They keep chopping away at that number citing natural reproduction and lack of forage.
The mature salmon are not going belly up on the bottom of the lake. They are not showing a lack of food for those harvested in the lake and just hitting anything that swims.
Yes they are being harvested in the lake in great numbers. Better technology in equipment ( maybe better than the dec , lol ) and a huge amount of recreational charters and fishers. Who really cares if the captain and mates keep their limits also ? There are 6 people on the boat. Times that by 3 , plus trout. Daily and even twice daily, in a 5 month season, lot of dang fish being caught out there.
So in these given stocking reductions, the tribs guys get what's left..
You guys that been on the river see the results, not me. Let's just say, 500 ppl fish and 100 people limit out by whatever means .. sloppy seconds and thirds get very depressing....
Buckle up