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Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Fishing Rule Change
Lewis River anglers must release all spring chinook beginning May 11.
Olympia, WA -(FishNLand.com)-
Action: Lewis River anglers must release all spring chinook beginning May 11.

Species affected: Chinook salmon

Effective dates by location: May 11 through July 31.

Location: Mainstem Lewis from mouth to mouth of East Fork; North Fork Lewis from mouth of East Fork to overhead powerlines below Merwin Dam

Reason for action: Pre-season, only 2,200 adult spring chinook were forecasted to return to the Lewis system this year. The hatchery adult sport daily limit was previously reduced to one fish under emergency regulation.

To date, only a few dozen hatchery adult spring chinook have entered the traps on the Lewis. The hatchery escapement goal is 1,250. Based upon recent year return timing, the goal may not be met even with a reduced daily limit.

Other information: Creel sampling surveys have shown light catches and no evidence of large numbers of fish holding in the river. Hatchery returns will continue to be closely monitored.

Both the mainstem and North Fork Lewis remain open to fishing for hatchery steelhead.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

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.

About:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The department operates under a dual mandate from the Washington Legislature to:

* Protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats.
* Provide sustainable, fish- and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities.

Department policy is guided by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission composed of nine citizen members appointed by the Governor. Department operations are led by a Director and an Executive Management Team. The Director is appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The department is headquartered in Olympia and operates six regional offices throughout the state.

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Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Fishing Rule Change
Up to six spring chinook jacks may be retained.

Washington -(FishNLand.com)-

Action: Up to six spring chinook jacks may be retained.

Species affected: Chinook

Effective dates: May 11 through June 30, 2009

Location:
Wind River from mouth (boundary line markers) to 400 feet below Shipherd Falls
Wind River from 100 feet above Shipherd Falls to 400 feet below the coffer dam
Wind River from 100 feet above the coffer dam to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery.

Daily limits: The salmonid daily limit will be six fish. Up to two may be adult salmon or hatchery steelhead or one of each. Release wild steelhead and all trout other than steelhead. Release wild Chinook downstream from Shipherd Falls. Minimum size 12 inches for salmon and 20 inches for steelhead.

Other information: Under a previously adopted emergency action, the anti-snagging rule has been rescinded on the lower Wind from the Burlington-Northern Railroad Bridge downstream during this year’s spring Chinook fishery. The anti-snagging rule remains in effect from the bridge upstream.

Reason for action: Large numbers of hatchery spring Chinook jacks have crossed Bonneville Dam. In addition, increasing numbers of jacks are appearing in the Wind River sport catches. Increasing the daily limit from the current two salmon or hatchery steelhead will provide additional opportunity to harvest those fish.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

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.

About:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The department operates under a dual mandate from the Washington Legislature to:

* Protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats.
* Provide sustainable, fish- and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities.

Department policy is guided by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission composed of nine citizen members appointed by the Governor. Department operations are led by a Director and an Executive Management Team. The Director is appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The department is headquartered in Olympia and operates six regional offices throughout the state.

Filed under: Conservation News by FishNLand No Comments »

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Fishing Rule Change
Limit will increase for hatchery spring chinook jacks at Drano Lake; first two Wednesdays in June to be closed

Washington – (FishNLand.com)-

Action: Up to six hatchery spring chinook jacks may be retained effective May 11. Wednesdays June 3 and June 10 will be closed to all fishing.

Species affected: Chinook

Effective dates: May 11 through June 30, 2009

Location: Drano Lake downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of Hwy. 14 Bridge.

Daily limits: The salmonid daily limit will be six fish. Up to 2 may be hatchery adult salmon or hatchery steelhead or one of each. Release wild Chinook and wild steelhead. Release all trout other than steelhead. Minimum size 12 inches for salmon and 20 inches for steelhead.

Other information: Under permanent rules, each Wednesday in May are closed to all fishing.

Under previously adopted emergency regulations, the bank only area near the outlet of Drano Lake is in effect through June. In addition, the anti-snagging rule has been rescinded for this year’s spring chinook fishery.

Reason for action: Large numbers of hatchery spring chinook jacks have crossed Bonneville Dam and have been found in Drano Lake creel surveys. To date, more jacks have been counted at Bonneville Dam since at least 1976 with the exception of the year 2000. Increasing the daily limit from the current two hatchery salmon or hatchery steelhead will provide additional opportunity to harvest those fish.

The two Wednesday closures in June are necessary for the Yakama tribal fisheries scheduled to occur on those dates.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

About:
he Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The department operates under a dual mandate from the Washington Legislature to:

* Protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats.
* Provide sustainable, fish- and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities.

Department policy is guided by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission composed of nine citizen members appointed by the Governor. Department operations are led by a Director and an Executive Management Team. The Director is appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The department is headquartered in Olympia and operates six regional offices throughout the state.

Filed under: Conservation News by FishNLand No Comments »