1998 Sport Catch Report

The Washington State Sport Catch report was first published in 1967 by the former Department of Fisheries. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). By 1991, catch record card data were collected for salmon, sturgeon and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data where and when possible to improve catch estimate accuracy. Over time the report expanded to include shellfish and marine fish estimates. Food fish (salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish) estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31.

Since 1950, the former Department of Game (renamed Department of Wildlife in 1985) has published steelhead harvest reports based on catch record card data and creel surveys. Game fish (steelhead) estimates are summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year. This is to better capture the results of steelhead �"run years”, which typically span two calendar years.

On March 1, 1994, the former Departments of Fisheries (WDF) and Wildlife (WDW) merged to form the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This marks the fifth combined report covering both �"food fish” and �"game fish.” Delayed due to budget and staffing constraints, the 1998 edition is being published in February 2001.

Sport Licenses and Catch Record Cards

In 1998, the following licenses and catch record cards were required to fish in Washington:

• A personal use food fish license was required for resident anglers over age 14, and for all non-resident anglers, to fish for anadromous fish (except steelhead) and marine fish. This license was available in resident annual, resident senior (ages 70 and over), non-resident annual, three-consecutive-day, and one-day formats. In addition, a free catch record card was required of all anglers of all ages to fish for salmon, for halibut in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and for sturgeon in the Columbia River, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and all tributaries of these three systems.
• A game fish license was required for resident anglers over age 14, and for all non-resident anglers, to fish for game fish (warm water species such as bass, panfish, whitefish and trout). This license was available in annual, one-day and three-consecutive-day formats. Reducedfee licenses were available for non-resident juveniles and resident seniors (ages 70 and older). A steelhead license was required in addition to the gamefish license for all those anglers over 14 who wished to fish for steelhead. A free catch record card was also required of anglers of all ages to fish for steelhead.
• A personal use shellfish/seaweed license was required for resident and non-resident harvesters over age 14. A non-resident reduced-fee three-consecutive day license and a reduced-fee annual license for resident seniors (ages 70 and over) was available. Unlike salmon, sturgeon and steelhead, catch record cards were not issued with shellfish licenses since field sampling and creel surveys were used to estimate total sport shellfish catch.

Table 1 shows license sales for 1997 and 1998, based on a direct count of sales. Tables 2, 3 and 4 show the estimated number of salmon, sturgeon and steelhead catch record cards issued. Note that the number of catch record cards issued shown in these tables are estimated from the catch record card databases, therefore cannot be directly compared to the license sales number. These numbers cannot be compared since anglers under 14 and over 70 are required to obtain a catch record card but not a license. Also, not all dealers return their catch record card stubs, nor do all anglers return their catch record cards, therefore, correction factors are applied.

Methods

Sport harvest estimates are made in Washington State using various methods. These include catch record cards for: salmon and steelhead statewide, sturgeon in the Columbia River, Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay and halibut in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Estimates from catch records cards are available six months to one year after the end of the season. Creel and mail surveys are carried out for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, halibut, and shellfish in areas where management requires more timely estimates. Creel surveys consist of checking anglers who are exiting the fishery and asking specific questions about catch and effort. The creel survey estimates for some species and areas are substituted for catch record card estimates (this is noted in the tables).

The methods used produce estimates of sport harvest which have some level of uncertainty. This uncertainty, or variance, is estimated and expressed with confidence levels which are not provided in this report. These variance estimates are available upon request.

Ocean Quota vs True Catch Data

Sport catch data from coastal areas 1 - 4 were reported using �"port sampling” (creel survey) catch estimates. Such estimates were derived by monitoring daily landings at four coastal ports: Ilwaco, Westport, La Push, and Neah Bay. Catch is reported in the area where the fish was caught and not the area where it was landed.

Statistical Months and Statistical Weeks

Some catch data (i.e. salmon and bottomfish) are reported using statistical months or statistical weeks. Statistical weeks (defined as Monday-Sunday) are consecutively numbered weeks beginning on January 1st and continuing through week 53 or 54 December 31st. The first and last weeks of any year usually contain less than 7 days. Statistical months are made up of a set number of statistical weeks which approximate calendar months but do not coincide with calendar month start and end dates. For example, in 1998, the statistical month of January begins on January 1st and ends February 1st and the statistical month of February starts on February 2nd and ends March 1st. Since some data are reported using statistical months, as opposed to calendar months, some catch may be reported during what appears to be a closed period.

Salmon

Annual sport salmon catch estimates for 1964 through 1998 are shown in Table 5. In 1998 a total of 156,802 salmon were caught in marine areas, plus an additional 78,667 salmon in freshwater. The marine totals by species, as shown in Table 6, were: 34,424 chinook; 113,766 coho; 8,321 chum; 201 pink; and 90 sockeye. Freshwater species breakdowns show: 26,757 chinook; 24,325 coho; 10,618 chum; 3 pink; 46 sockeye; 16,780 jacks (all species combined); and 138 unknown species.

Catch record cards are used to estimate sport salmon catch in marine and freshwater areas with some exceptions. In marine areas, creel survey estimates were substituted for the catch record card estimates in ocean areas 1-4 (excluding area 2.1 Willapa Bay and area 2.2 Grays Harbor), and in area 5 August 11-September 7. Creel surveys were done in area 5 and results are provided in Table 24. In freshwater areas, creel survey estimates were substituted for the catch record card estimates in the Lower Columbia River February - October. All other estimates are from catch record cards.

Sturgeon

There are two species of sturgeon present in Washington state: the green sturgeon Acipenser medirostris and the white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. Both species are anadromous and spawn in large river systems. Green sturgeon spend most of their lives in the marine environment and are not readily caught in Washington sport fisheries. They are not believed to spawn in any of the Washington river systems although they are seasonally abundant in Washington coastal bays and estuaries. White sturgeon migrate great distances in the ocean as well but, unlike green sturgeon, are able to complete their life cycle in freshwater. White sturgeon are readily caught in sport fisheries and are popular as a game fighting fish and are considered by many as gourmet fare. They are the largest freshwater fish in North America with historical accounts of individuals approaching 20 feet in length and 1 ton in weight. Sturgeon subsist on a variety of foods including Columbia River smelt, anchovies, lamprey eels, clams, shad, and salmon carcasses. They are known for their longevity with individuals sometimes living over 100 years. White sturgeon are also known for their delayed maturation with males reaching sexual maturity at about 15 years of age (4½- 5 feet in length) and females at about 23 years of age (~6 feet in length). White sturgeon spawn throughout the Columbia River basin, although populations farther upstream are generally not as healthy as those living closer to the ocean. They spawn in the spring and early summer months in the mainstem Columbia River in areas where water velocities are highest. This reliance on high velocity, free-flowing river reaches for spawning is largely responsible for the decreased population abundance and productivity farther upstream in the Columbia River basin where hydroelectric development has most affected sturgeon populations.

The distribution of sturgeon harvest and the amount of restriction on sturgeon harvest within the Columbia River basin generally reflects the relative health and productivity of these sturgeon populations. Sturgeon harvest management relies on extensive research to provide an understanding of the population dynamics and the factors limiting productivity of specific sturgeon populations within the Columbia River. Abundance estimates and population simulation models are used to set long term sustainable harvest limits for the most heavily exploited populations. Management goals are based on allowing enough fish to survive harvest to replenish the older-aged spawning population. The most frequently used sport harvest management strategies are population-specific harvest quotas, slot limits, daily bag limits, and annual possession limits for those sturgeon populations that can sustain a harvest. Harvest management responsibilities in the Columbia River are jointly shared by the state of Oregon and the four Columbia River treaty tribes (Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Nez Perce) in those river reaches where there is joint jurisdiction. Specifically, Washington and Oregon share management responsibility from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to a point approximately 14 miles upstream of McNary Dam and, by policy directive, adopt concurrent regulations for fisheries in those areas. Washington, Oregon, and the four Columbia River treaty tribes coordinate sturgeon management in the three reservoirs between Bonneville and McNary dams through the Sturgeon Management Task Force, which is comprised of technical and policy representatives from each agency and tribe.

The white sturgeon population in the lower Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam is the healthiest in the species’ range. Consequently, most of the sturgeon catch and effort in Washington waters occurs in this river reach. In 1998 Washington and Oregon managed for a catch quota of 53,840 white sturgeon in the lower Columbia sport fishery. Sport regulations for this fishery included a 42-60 inch legal size slot, a one fish daily bag limit allowing anglers to continue to catch and release after retaining their one sturgeon, and an annual bag limit of 10 sturgeon per angler. The actual combined white sturgeon catch for Washington and Oregon anglers in the lower Columbia fishery was 41,200. It was believed that high water conditions in the summer estuarial fishery affected the emergence of anchovies and other bait fish into the estuary and thus compromising sport fishing success. It was noted that a significantly greater proportion of the catch was of larger sized fish indicating good survival of sturgeon through the fisheries.

The three lowermost reservoirs in the Columbia River between Bonneville and McNary dams are intensively managed under the auspices of the Sturgeon Management Task Force (SMTF). Sport regulations in Bonneville Reservoir were the same as those in the lower Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam. Regulations were more prohibitive in areas upstream from The Dalles Dam where the legal size slot was 48-60 inches. In 1998 the SMTF set annual sport harvest guidelines for white sturgeon of 1,520 in Bonneville Reservoir, 600-800 in The Dalles Reservoir (a dispute within the SMTF on allocation between sport and tribal commercial fisheries resulted in a management range for harvest), and 560 in John Day Reservoir. Washington and Oregon attempted to manage for a stable fishery season that kept harvest within these guidelines with a sturgeon retention season of January 1- June 30. However, this season was ineffective in the two lowermost reservoirs and the states had to prohibit sturgeon retention from April 20- December 31 in Bonneville Reservoir and from June 8- December 31 in The Dalles Reservoir to attempt to stay within the prescribed guidelines. The season was extended to November 22 in John Day Reservoir and was therefore closed to sturgeon retention from November 23- December 31. The resulting harvest by reservoir for Washington and Oregon anglers in 1998 was 1,630, 860, and 600 white sturgeon in Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs, respectively.

The reservoir sport fisheries upstream from McNary Dam operated under the same regulations as The Dalles and John Day reservoirs (48-60 inches, 1 fish daily bag limit), with the exception of Lower Granite Reservoir on the Snake River and the Columbia River and its tributaries upstream from Priest Rapids Dam to the U.S./Canada border where sturgeon retention was closed year round.

Outside the Columbia River basin, there are relatively productive sturgeon fisheries in most of Washington’s coastal bays and estuaries. Most notable are the sturgeon fisheries in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor (including the Chehalis River system). The white sturgeon caught in Washington’s coastal areas are thought to originate in the lower Columbia based on tag recoveries from those fisheries. Sport regulations for these fisheries match those in the lower Columbia.

Total sport sturgeon harvest for 1998 for catch areas recorded, based on creel surveys and catch record card returns, was 25,940 fish. Of this total, 23,351 white sturgeon and 50 green sturgeon came from the Columbia River system (Table 29). Another 320 white sturgeon were harvested in the Snake River up to Lower Granite Dam, above which all sturgeon were required to be released.

Other areas for which sturgeon harvest is reported are: Willapa Bay 1,149 white, 12 green and 12 unknown sturgeon; Grays Harbor 670 white, 28 green and 24 unknown sturgeon. For monthly catch information, see Table 29.

Steelhead

Steelhead harvest estimates are based on statewide catch record card returns and creel surveys for selected areas. Steelhead harvest is reported by �"run year,” unlike other sport statewide harvest presented in an annual format. For example, steelhead that make up the 1998 winter/spring spawning season enter Washington rivers as early as March or April of 1997, but will not spawn until early 1998. Wild steelhead spawning continues into late May or even June. Some of the 1998/99 fish will actually start their spawning run before the 1997/98 fish have finished spawning. For record-keeping purposes, May 1 is used as the starting point for each year's run. Steelhead caught during May through October are treated statistically as �"summer-run” fish. Steelhead caught November through April are recorded as �"winter-run” fish unless they are caught above the Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River; where they are recorded as �"summerrun” fish.

In Table 33, sport harvest of steelhead for 1998/99 is shown geographically by system and stream name. Monthly totals are given for hatchery (marked with adipose fin clip) and wild (unmarked) fish. This last designation is reliable only where 100% of the hatchery releases are marked. There occasionally are unmarked hatchery releases, usually from non-WDFW hatcheries. Please consult appropriate hatchery release records to confirm.

Marine Fish

Marine fish are those species commonly called �"bottomfish” (though not all are necessarily caught on the bottom). This category includes all the rockfish (11 species are reported here); cabezon; lingcod and kelp greenling; Pacific halibut and other flatfish (sole, flounder, etc.); Pacific cod and other cod-like species (pollock, hake); sea perch (surf and pile); skates and rays; plus miscellaneous species.

Recreational ocean harvest of marine fish in catch areas 1-4, including halibut, is estimated from creel surveys. Table 37 shows the 1998 totals. These figures are compiled for the four defined marine fishing areas: Ilwaco (Columbia River mouth), Westport (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay), La Push (Quillayute River mouth) and Neah Bay (just inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca). The Puget Sound recreational harvest of marine fish, excluding halibut, is estimated using a statistical model that takes advantage of the previously documented relationship between sport salmon catch and effort, and marine fish catch and effort. These estimates, given in Table 39, depend on the salmon catch record card estimates and the field survey sampling for catch per unit of effort for salmon and marine fish.

Sport catch of Pacific halibut in Puget Sound was estimated from halibut catch record cards. These figures can be found in Table 39.

Shellfish

Recreational shellfish harvest is estimated based on creel and flight sampling by WDFW personnel. The sport crab pot fishery is surveyed only in odd years, and therefore included in this report only during odd years.

Puget Sound recreational clam and oyster harvest estimates are shown in Table 40. Harvest totals for Manila and native littleneck clams, butter clams, cockles, softshell clams, horse clams, geoducks and oysters are shown for 27 areas. Estimates show 246,853 sport harvester trips gathered 701,086 total pounds of clams, and 902,009 oysters in 1998.

In the fall of 1998 and the spring of 1999 razor clamming was prohibited by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) due to significantly high levels of Domoic Acid. Domoic Acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by a microscopic marine diatom called Nitzshia pungens. Razor clams feeding on Nitzshia pungens may concentrate the toxin and become toxic to humans.

Short notice for emergency closures or cancellations due to marine toxins are a result of the specific sampling protocol established by DOH. The goal to have a resource safe for human consumption requires sampling no more than 7 days before the proposed opening by WDFW. Every effort is made to expedite the sample transport and analysis. There are still the limitations of low tide availability before the opening and the fact that it takes approximately 48 hours from the time the clams are harvested until the results can be announced. There is also the time required to use mass media to report any closure. New methods are being looked at to possibly expand these time periods and still have a resource safe to eat.