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[Flyfisher121]

FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

September 3, 2010


Upper Columbia and selected tributaries to open for hatchery steelhead fishing

Action: Open the Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, including the Wenatchee, Entiat, and Methow rivers on Sept. 8, 2010; the Okanogan River on Oct. 1, 2010; and the Similkameen River on Nov.1, 2010 to fishing for adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead until further notice.
Species affected: Hatchery adipose fin clipped steelhead and trout.
Mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead, daily limit four (4) hatchery steelhead, 20 inch minimum size.
Selective gear rules are in effect for all anglers fishing in these areas, except bait is allowed on mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.
Night closure in effect for all steelhead fishery areas.
Wild steelhead (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
On the mainstem Columbia River only floy tagged rainbow trout retention allowed.
Effective dates and locations:
1) The mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam; Sept. 8, 2010 until further notice. Floy tagged rainbow trout may be retained. There is no limit or minimum size on floy tagged rainbow trout.
2) The Wenatchee River from the mouth to the Icicle River Road Bridge; Sept. 8, 2010 until further notice.
3) The Entiat River upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River to 800 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery outfall; Sept. 8, 2010 until further notice.
4) The Methow River from the mouth to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop; Sept. 8, 2010 until further notice. Fishing from a floating device is prohibited from the second powerline crossing (about 1 mile upstream from the mouth) to the first Highway 153 bridge (about 4 miles upstream from the mouth).
5) The Okanogan River from the mouth to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville; Oct. 1, 2010 until further notice.
6) The Similkameen River, from the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam; Nov. 1, 2010 until further notice.
Other information: 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.
Release any steelhead with one or more holes (round, approximately 1/4 inch diameter) punched in the caudal (tail) fin. These fish are part of a study and have been anesthetized; the FDA requires a 21 day ban on consumption of these fish.
Anglers are required to release all adipose-present steelhead, which cannot be totally removed from the water prior to release.
Whitefish anglers are reminded that under selective gear rules, bait is prohibited.
Anglers are required to possess a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement as part of their valid fishing license. Check the fishing hotline at 360-902-2500 or the webpage at https: //fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/rules_all_freshwater.j
Reason for action: The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage.
Information contacts: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624, Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, Art Viola, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337.

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 Flyfisher121