December 6, 2013
December 6, 2013
Closes steelhead and whitefish fishing on the Wenatchee River, Icicle River, and a section of the upper Columbia River
ACTION: Closes steelhead and whitefish fishing on the Wenatchee River. Temporarily close steelhead fishing on a section of the upper Columbia River and the Icicle River.
SPECIES AFFECTED: Steelhead and whitefish
EFFECTIVE DATES: One hour after official sunset on Dec. 8, 2013 until further notice.
LOCATIONS:
1.) Mainstem Columbia River: From Rock Island Dam upstream to 400 feet below Wells Dam.
2.) Wenatchee River: From the mouth upstream to the Icicle River Road Bridge.
3.) Icicle River: From the mouth upstream to 500 feet below the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
REASON FOR ACTION: The allowable take (mortality) of Endangered Species Act listed natural origin steelhead due to angling effects is approaching the maximum limit for the waters listed above. The 2013-2014 steelhead run is much lower than in recent years and has a relatively high proportion of natural origin fish.
OTHER INFORMATION: Fisheries managers are analyzing fishery impacts to date, and will produce a steelhead run update early in 2014. Some areas could reopen for additional fishing opportunities.
Sections of the upper Columbia River and tributaries remaining open to steelhead fishing until further notice include:
1.) Mainstem Columbia River: From Wells Dam upstream to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.
2.) Methow River: From the mouth upstream to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop.
3.) Okanogan River: From the mouth upstream to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville.
4.) Similkameen River: From the mouth upstream to 400 feet below Enloe Dam.
All anglers must possess a valid fishing license and a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement to participate in these fisheries. Selective gear rules and night closures are in effect for these fisheries, except bait is allowed on the mainstem Columbia River from Wells Dam upstream to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam. Daily bag limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead. Mandatory retention of adipose fin clipped hatchery steelhead. All adipose present steelhead must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release. Release all steelhead with a floy (anchor) tag attached and/or one or more round 1/4 inch diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.
INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager (Ephrata), (509) 754-4624, ext 224; Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist (Wenatchee), (509) 665-3337.
Closes steelhead and whitefish fishing on the Wenatchee River, Icicle River, and a section of the upper Columbia River
ACTION: Closes steelhead and whitefish fishing on the Wenatchee River. Temporarily close steelhead fishing on a section of the upper Columbia River and the Icicle River.
SPECIES AFFECTED: Steelhead and whitefish
EFFECTIVE DATES: One hour after official sunset on Dec. 8, 2013 until further notice.
LOCATIONS:
1.) Mainstem Columbia River: From Rock Island Dam upstream to 400 feet below Wells Dam.
2.) Wenatchee River: From the mouth upstream to the Icicle River Road Bridge.
3.) Icicle River: From the mouth upstream to 500 feet below the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
REASON FOR ACTION: The allowable take (mortality) of Endangered Species Act listed natural origin steelhead due to angling effects is approaching the maximum limit for the waters listed above. The 2013-2014 steelhead run is much lower than in recent years and has a relatively high proportion of natural origin fish.
OTHER INFORMATION: Fisheries managers are analyzing fishery impacts to date, and will produce a steelhead run update early in 2014. Some areas could reopen for additional fishing opportunities.
Sections of the upper Columbia River and tributaries remaining open to steelhead fishing until further notice include:
1.) Mainstem Columbia River: From Wells Dam upstream to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.
2.) Methow River: From the mouth upstream to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop.
3.) Okanogan River: From the mouth upstream to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville.
4.) Similkameen River: From the mouth upstream to 400 feet below Enloe Dam.
All anglers must possess a valid fishing license and a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement to participate in these fisheries. Selective gear rules and night closures are in effect for these fisheries, except bait is allowed on the mainstem Columbia River from Wells Dam upstream to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam. Daily bag limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead. Mandatory retention of adipose fin clipped hatchery steelhead. All adipose present steelhead must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release. Release all steelhead with a floy (anchor) tag attached and/or one or more round 1/4 inch diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.
INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager (Ephrata), (509) 754-4624, ext 224; Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist (Wenatchee), (509) 665-3337.