October 9, 2024
Action: Opens retention of hatchery steelhead and coho.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead and coho.
Effective dates: One hour before official sunrise on Oct. 16, 2024, until further notice.
Location: Methow River from the mouth to County Road 1535 (Burma Road) Bridge.
Rules:
- Daily limit is two hatchery steelhead or two coho or one of each. Release all other salmon and wild steelhead.
- Mandatory retention of hatchery steelhead.
- Steelhead minimum size is 20 inches and coho minimum size is 12 inches.
- Selective gear rules in effect.
- Night closure in effect.
- Steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately, unharmed, and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
- Fishing from a floating device is prohibited from the second powerline crossing (one mile upstream from the mouth) to the first Highway 153 Bridge (four miles upstream from the mouth).
Reason for action: Hatchery steelhead returning to the Methow River is in excess of spawning escapement and broodstock needs. This conservation fishery will help remove excess hatchery steelhead while increasing the proportion of wild steelhead on the spawning grounds. Returns of coho to the Methow River are sufficient to allow recreational angler to harvest in-kind with steelhead retention.
Additional information: This conservation fishery will be monitored closely and could potentially close at any time if allowable impact rates to wild steelhead are met. Anglers are advised to check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website routinely for updates. Anglers can also subscribe to the Fishing Rule Changes email list to receive updates. For more information about this conservation fishery check out WDFW’s “The Salmon Fishing Current” blog.
Information contact: Region 2 (Ephrata Office), 509-754-4624 or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov.