December 23, 2005
Action: Fishing rules will change on three sections of the Hoh River.
1) The area from the mouth upstream to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Oxbow Campground boat launch changes to wild steelhead release and selective gear rules March 1, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
Effective dates: March 1 through April 15, 2006.
Species affected: Winter Steelhead and other game fish.
Location and Regulations:
1) Hoh River from the mouth upstream to DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch ? wild steelhead release and selective gear rules, March 1 through March 31, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
Reasons for action: Lower than normal numbers of wild steelhead are expected to return to the Hoh River system this year. In response to fewer fish returning the wild steelhead retention season will be shortened and replaced by a wild steelhead-release season. In addition, the overall sport fishing season will be shortened. The rule changes will reduce impacts on the wild run of steelhead.
Other information: During the wild steelhead release season in the area below the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch, anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead with a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Two (2) fish daily limit, 14-inch minimum size. A complete description of selective gear rules, can be found on page 22 of the 2005-2006 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet. For information about current fishing regulations in Olympic National Park, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and click on Fishing Regs.
Information contacts: Mike Gross, District 16 Fish Biologist, 360-249-1210; Bill Freymond, Region 6 Fish Program Manager, (360) 249-1225.
1) The area from the mouth upstream to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Oxbow Campground boat launch changes to wild steelhead release and selective gear rules March 1, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
Effective dates: March 1 through April 15, 2006.
Species affected: Winter Steelhead and other game fish.
Location and Regulations:
1) Hoh River from the mouth upstream to DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch ? wild steelhead release and selective gear rules, March 1 through March 31, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
Reasons for action: Lower than normal numbers of wild steelhead are expected to return to the Hoh River system this year. In response to fewer fish returning the wild steelhead retention season will be shortened and replaced by a wild steelhead-release season. In addition, the overall sport fishing season will be shortened. The rule changes will reduce impacts on the wild run of steelhead.
Other information: During the wild steelhead release season in the area below the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch, anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead with a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Two (2) fish daily limit, 14-inch minimum size. A complete description of selective gear rules, can be found on page 22 of the 2005-2006 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet. For information about current fishing regulations in Olympic National Park, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and click on Fishing Regs.
Information contacts: Mike Gross, District 16 Fish Biologist, 360-249-1210; Bill Freymond, Region 6 Fish Program Manager, (360) 249-1225.