December 3, 2003
November 19, 2003
Columbia River above the Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco Steelhead Fishing Rules Revised
Action: Open the Columbia River for the retention of all marked, hatchery-origin steelhead from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers.
Effective date: November 20, 2003 through March 31, 2004
Species affected: Hatchery Steelhead
Location: The lower half of the Hanford Reach (Columbia River) from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers upstream of the Ringold Springs Rearing Facility.
Reason for action: Large numbers of surplus hatchery steelhead are expected to return to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility, harvest of these fish will not impact upper Columbia River wild steelhead recovery. Steelhead destined for the Upper Columbia River have cleared this area and there is no need to continue the requirement that only fish with both adipose and ventral fin clips can be harvested. Hatchery steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested.
Other information: Anglers are only permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin(s). Two (2) fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size. All wild steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).
Columbia River above the Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco Steelhead Fishing Rules Revised
Action: Open the Columbia River for the retention of all marked, hatchery-origin steelhead from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers.
Effective date: November 20, 2003 through March 31, 2004
Species affected: Hatchery Steelhead
Location: The lower half of the Hanford Reach (Columbia River) from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers upstream of the Ringold Springs Rearing Facility.
Reason for action: Large numbers of surplus hatchery steelhead are expected to return to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility, harvest of these fish will not impact upper Columbia River wild steelhead recovery. Steelhead destined for the Upper Columbia River have cleared this area and there is no need to continue the requirement that only fish with both adipose and ventral fin clips can be harvested. Hatchery steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested.
Other information: Anglers are only permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin(s). Two (2) fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size. All wild steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).