Section of the Cascade River will close to fishing

December 31, 2008

Action: Part of the Cascade River will be temporarily closed to fishing in order to ensure egg-take goals are met for hatchery winter steelhead at the Marblemount Hatchery.

Effective dates: Jan. 5 to Jan. 31, 2009.

Species affected: All game fish.

Location: The portion of the Cascade River that extends from the Rockport-Cascade Road downstream to the mouth will be closed to fishing.

Reasons for action: Marblemount Hatchery has not been able to collect returning hatchery winter steelhead broodstock, and is in jeopardy of failing to meet egg take goals. This fishing closure will help increase the number of hatchery winter steelhead returning to the Marblemount facility.

In the past, egg collection shortfalls at Marblemount were supplemented with winter steelhead eggs from adjacent watersheds. As part of the ongoing Hatchery Reform initiative, WDFW will only use locally collected broodstock to support the Skagit River winter steelhead hatchery program. Steelhead eggs from other watersheds will no longer be used at this facility to supplement shortfalls in egg-take collection goals. This new approach to broodstock collection was recommended by the independent Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG), and is identified as an artificial production strategy in the WDFW Statewide Steelhead Management Plan.

Other information: On February 1st, the fishery will re-open and revert to seasons as listed in the Sport fishing Rules 20087/2009 pamphlet edition, FISHING IN WASHINGTON

Information Contact: Brett Barkdull 360-466-4345 x270 barkdbcb@dfw.wa.gov

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.