FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
April 22, 2010
Two sections of Yakima River to open
for spring chinook fishing on May 1
Action: Open two sections of the Yakima River to fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon.
Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon
Locations & Dates:
Area 1: from the Interstate 182 bridge in Richland (river mile 4.5) to 400 feet downstream of Horn Rapids (Wanawish) Dam (river mile 18.0); May 1 ? May 31.
Area 2: from the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap (river mile 107.1) to the BNRR bridge approximately 500 feet downstream of Roza Dam (river mile 127.8); May 1 ? June 30.
Reason for action: Yakama Nation (YN) and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a harvestable return of adult hatchery spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2010.
Other information:
? For the duration of this salmon fishery, the upper ?closed water? boundary line for Area 2 is moved upstream to the railroad bridge downstream of Roza Dam to provide additional opportunity to harvest abundant hatchery chinook.? Daily limit of two (2) hatchery chinook. Minimum size - 12 inches. Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Wild salmon (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.? Special Rules for Area 1: Terminal gear is restricted to one, single-point, barbless hook with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. Use of bait is allowed.
? Special Rules for Area 2: Terminal gear is restricted to one, single-point, barbless hook with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less. Use of bait is allowed (the ?Selective Gear Rules? requirement prohibiting use of bait is temporarily suspended during the salmon fishery for all species). Night closure in effect. Retention of trout (size 12? to 20?, daily limit 2) and other game fish is prohibited until the statewide river trout season opener on Saturday, June 5.? Closed to fishing for all species400 feet upstream from the upstream side of the Yakima Ave./Terrace Heights Rd. bridge in Yakima, including the area adjacent and downstream of the Roza Wasteway No. 2 fish barrier rack next to Morton & Sons Inc.
? Fishing for steelhead remains closed. All steelhead (rainbow trout greater than 20? in total length) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.The new Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco); Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima); or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW ?Fishing in Washington? rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Call the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules or check the WDFW webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm for details on fishing seasons and regulations. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360) 796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
