August 10, 2009
Actions: 1) Close the recreational fishery for fall chinook and coho salmon.
2) Remove the night closure and anti-snagging rule restrictions for other game fish species.
Effective dates: Sept. 1 through Oct. 22, 2009.
Species affected: Fall chinook and coho salmon.
Location: Yakima River from Hwy. 223 Bridge at Granger to Sunnyside (Parker) Dam.
Reason for action: The Yakama Nation (YN) has exclusive fishing rights, secured by Article 3 of the Treaty of 1855, on the section of the Yakima River bordering the Yakama Reservation ("reservation boundary reach"). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) cannot legally open a salmon sport fishery in this reach without first securing concurrence from the YN. The YN has declined to open salmon sport fisheries in the boundary reach in 2009. Therefore, WDFW is obligated to close the fishery that was scheduled to open on Sept. 1. The night closure and anti-snagging rule restrictions that applied to salmon and all game fish species during the salmon season are no longer necessary if salmon fishing is closed.
Information contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330
2) Remove the night closure and anti-snagging rule restrictions for other game fish species.
Effective dates: Sept. 1 through Oct. 22, 2009.
Species affected: Fall chinook and coho salmon.
Location: Yakima River from Hwy. 223 Bridge at Granger to Sunnyside (Parker) Dam.
Reason for action: The Yakama Nation (YN) has exclusive fishing rights, secured by Article 3 of the Treaty of 1855, on the section of the Yakima River bordering the Yakama Reservation ("reservation boundary reach"). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) cannot legally open a salmon sport fishery in this reach without first securing concurrence from the YN. The YN has declined to open salmon sport fisheries in the boundary reach in 2009. Therefore, WDFW is obligated to close the fishery that was scheduled to open on Sept. 1. The night closure and anti-snagging rule restrictions that applied to salmon and all game fish species during the salmon season are no longer necessary if salmon fishing is closed.
Information contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330