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

December 31, 2008

Section of the Cascade River will close to fishing

Action: Part of the Cascade River will temporarily close to fishing in order to ensure egg-take goals are met for hatchery winter steelhead at the Marblemount Hatchery.

Effective dates: Jan. 5 to Jan. 31, 2009

Species affected: All game fish

Location: The portion of the Cascade River that extends from the Rockport-Cascade Road downstream to the mouth will be closed to fishing.

Reasons for action: Marblemount Hatchery has not been able to collect returning hatchery winter steelhead broodstock, and is in jeopardy of failing to meet egg take goals. This fishing closure will help increase the number of hatchery winter steelhead returning to the Marblemount facility.

In the past, egg collection shortfalls at Marblemount were supplemented with winter steelhead eggs from adjacent watersheds. As part of the ongoing hatchery reform initiative, WDFW will only use locally collected broodstock to support the Skagit River winter steelhead hatchery program. Steelhead eggs from other watersheds will no longer be used at this facility to supplement shortfalls in egg-take collection goals. This new approach to broodstock collection was recommended by the independent Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG), and is identified as an artificial production strategy in the WDFW Statewide Steelhead Management Plan.

Other information: The fishery will re-open Feb. 1 and revert to seasons as listed in the state?s 2008-09 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet.

Information Contact: Brett Barkdull, 360-466-4345 ext. 270, barkdbcb@dfw.wa.gov

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.