More PNW Steelhead Rivers Open!

November 20, 2015

UPDATE:  As of Sunday evening, November 22nd, the Methow River is now closed.  

Hey folks, its been pretty rainy in the Cascades this week which has left us with almost no-where to fish.  Currently the Yakima is out, the Methow is actually in good shape, the Klickitat is maybe going to fish mid-day Sunday, and the Wenatchee (which is opened today) is big and muddy.  

I would encourage you to keep your eye on the Wenatchee this winter. If it gets under 2,000 cfs and we have some mild weather it is a good option.  Look for warm nights that only dip into the low to mid 30's for a couple of days.  That will help the water temp and gets the fish moving. The fish will often hold back in the Columbia for quite a while before entering the Wenatchee and we often see the biggest fish arrive later in the winter, even as late as February.  So keep this on your radar and take a good look a the regulations as the boundaries and retention rules have changed a bit.

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

November 19, 2015

Sections of upper Columbia River, tributaries 
to open for steelhead, rainbow trout fishing

Action:  Open the Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to the powerlines crossing the Columbia River at Doroga State Park to retention of adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead and rainbow until further notice. Sections of the lower Wenatchee and Entiat rivers also open under similar regulations.

Effective date: Nov. 20, 2015, until further notice.

Species affected: Hatchery steelhead and rainbow trout.

General rules:

  1. Mandatory retention of hatchery steelhead, identified by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin.
  2. Daily limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead (20 inch minimum size).
  3. Daily limit of five (5) hatchery rainbow trout (less than 20 inches in total length), identified by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin.
  4. Anglers must cease fishing when a daily limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead are obtained, regardless of the number of hatchery rainbow trout obtained.
  5. Selective gear rules and night closure will be in effect for all steelhead fishery areas, except the use of bait is allowed on the mainstem Columbia River.
  6. Steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
  7. Release all steelhead with a floy (anchor) tag attached and/or one or more round 1/4 inch in diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.

Locations:

  1. Columbia River: From Rock Island Dam to the powerlines crossing the Columbia River at Doroga State Park.
  2. Wenatchee River: From the mouth to the Icicle Road Bridge.
  3. Entiat River: From the mouth to approximately one half-mile upstream to a point perpendicular with the intersection of the Entiat River Road and Hedding Street.  

Reason for action: The updated forecast of steelhead abundance indicates that hatchery-origin steelhead will return in excess of desired escapement levels. Enough natural-origin steelhead will also return to implement a fishery on these sections of the upper Columbia River and the two tributaries. The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds.

Other Information:

Waters remaining open to steelhead fishing until further notice include:

  1. Okanogan River: From the mouth to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville.
  2. Similkameen River: From the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam.
  3. Columbia River from the Hwy 173 bridge at Brewster to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam

Anglers should be aware that fishing rules are subject to change and that rivers can close at any time due to impacts on natural-origin steelhead. Adhering to the mandatory retention of adipose clipped steelhead is vital in allowing the fishery to continue and to provide the maximum benefit to natural origin fish.

WDFW is conducting a steelhead radio telemetry study in the Columbia River upstream of the Yakima River over the next two years to help inform abundance estimates. Radio tagged fish will have what appears to be a heavy braided line extending from the mouth/throat of the fish. Anglers should not attempt to remove the tag unless the fish is legal to harvest. When a radio-tagged hatchery fish is harvested, anglers are asked to report and return the tag, per instructions written on the radio tag. WDFW appreciates the voluntary cooperation from the public in the management of our fish populations.

Anglers are required to possess a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement as part of their valid fishing license. Revenue from the endorsement supports salmon or steelhead seasons on many rivers in the Columbia River system, including enforcing fishery regulations and monitoring the upper Columbia River spring Chinook fisheries. The endorsement has generated more than $1 million annually for WDFW to maintain and increase fishing opportunities throughout the Columbia River basin.

Information contacts: Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337; Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, seehttp://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.

  1. Methow is closing as part of this action, so that will no longer be an option.

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