White, Carbon and upper Puyallup rivers will close early to fishing

January 6, 2012

Action: Close the White, Carbon and upper Puyallup rivers to fishing.

Species affected: All game fish.

Effective date: Jan, 16, 2012

Locations:

White River: from mouth to R Street Bridge in Auburn will be closed to all fishing.

Carbon River: from mouth to Hwy 162 Bridge will be closed to all fishing.

Upper Puyallup River: from mouth of Carbon River upstream will be closed to all fishing.

Reasons for action: The 2011-2012 forecast of wild steelhead returning to the Puyallup River basin is well below the spawning goal. This closure will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.

Other information: The Puyallup River mainstem, from the mouth to the Carbon River will close to fishing January 1, 2012. Rules re-opening fisheries in the Puyallup River basin will be listed in the 2012/2013 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet.

Information Contact: Larry Phillips, District 11, Fish Biologist, (360) 902-2721, Larry.Phillips@dfw.wa.gov; Kirt Hughes, Region 6 Fish Program Manager, (360) 249-4628, Kirt.Hughes@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.