December 19, 2003
December 18, 2003
Upper Columbia Mainstem Closes to Steelhead Fishing
Action: Close the mainstem Columbia River above Rocky Reach Dam for steelhead.
Effective dates: Closes one (1) hour after sunset on December 21, 2003
Species affected: Steelhead
Location
Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam.
Reason for action: The cumulative wild steelhead impacts allowed under the NOAA ESA Permit, which allowed these two fisheries, are anticipated to be reached by this date.
Other information:
The following streams remain open to the fishing for hatchery-origin steelhead with an adipose fin-clipped and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Anglers are permitted to harvest two (2) fish daily, 20-inch minimum size. Adipose fin-clipped steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested. All wild steelhead must be released unharmed.
Okanogan River from mouth upstream except closed waters from Zosel Dam downstream to ΒΌ mile below the railroad trestle. The area from the Highway 97 Bridge at Omak to a line across the river 500 feet above the mouth of Omak Creek will close February 16, 2004. Selective gear rules for all species, except motorized vessels allowed and night closure. From the highway bridge at Malott upstream, closed to all species except adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead.
Similkameen River from the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam. Selective gear rules and night closure; whitefish gear rules do not apply.
Anglers fishing for other game fish species (including whitefish) in the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers are required to follow the same gear restrictions and night closures as steelhead anglers. Night Closure and Selective Gear Rules are defined on pages 15 and 16 of the 2003/04 Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Information contacts: Kirk Truscott, District 6 Fish Biologist (509) 664-1227, Joe Foster, Regional Fish Program Manager (509) 754-4624, Art Viola District 7 Fish Biologist (509-665-3337).
Upper Columbia Mainstem Closes to Steelhead Fishing
Action: Close the mainstem Columbia River above Rocky Reach Dam for steelhead.
Effective dates: Closes one (1) hour after sunset on December 21, 2003
Species affected: Steelhead
Location
Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam.
Reason for action: The cumulative wild steelhead impacts allowed under the NOAA ESA Permit, which allowed these two fisheries, are anticipated to be reached by this date.
Other information:
The following streams remain open to the fishing for hatchery-origin steelhead with an adipose fin-clipped and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Anglers are permitted to harvest two (2) fish daily, 20-inch minimum size. Adipose fin-clipped steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested. All wild steelhead must be released unharmed.
Okanogan River from mouth upstream except closed waters from Zosel Dam downstream to ΒΌ mile below the railroad trestle. The area from the Highway 97 Bridge at Omak to a line across the river 500 feet above the mouth of Omak Creek will close February 16, 2004. Selective gear rules for all species, except motorized vessels allowed and night closure. From the highway bridge at Malott upstream, closed to all species except adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead.
Similkameen River from the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam. Selective gear rules and night closure; whitefish gear rules do not apply.
Anglers fishing for other game fish species (including whitefish) in the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers are required to follow the same gear restrictions and night closures as steelhead anglers. Night Closure and Selective Gear Rules are defined on pages 15 and 16 of the 2003/04 Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Information contacts: Kirk Truscott, District 6 Fish Biologist (509) 664-1227, Joe Foster, Regional Fish Program Manager (509) 754-4624, Art Viola District 7 Fish Biologist (509-665-3337).