Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Trout
Rule to Change: Gold Creek, Gold Creek Pond, and Outlet Channel (Kittitas Co.) (tributary to Keechelus Lake): Closed Waters
New Rule Proposal: Gold Creek, Gold Creek Pond, and Outlet Channel (Kittitas Co.) (tributary to Keechelus Lake), including that portion of creek that flows through the dry lakebed: Closed Waters
Why the change is needed: Gold Creek is closed to all fishing year-round to protect a threatened adfluvial population of ESA-listed bull trout that migrate between Keechelus Lake and Gold Creek to spawn. As this USBR reservoir is drained, lower Gold Creek is exposed across the lakebed. There have been documented problems with anglers fishing in the creek within the reservoir boundary and claiming they are fishing in Keechelus Lake, which is open to fishing year-round. Staging/migrating adult bull trout can be targeted by unethical or uninformed anglers who think it is legal to fish in Gold Cr. within the reservoir boundary. This change has already been made for the same reason at Box Canyon Creek (Kachess Lake), and Indian Creek and N.F. Tieton River (Rimrock Lake).
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Eric Anderson, Dist. 8 Fish Biologist
R3 Enforcement staff
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Eric and Enforcement staff support this change that eliminates the ambiguity about the legality of fishing in lower Gold Creek within the Keechelus Reservoir boundary as the lake is drawn down by irrigation releases.
Submitted by: EASTERBROOKS, JOHN A — ,
Date submitted: 06/08/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW226018
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Close to fishing year-round Gold Crk., Gold Crk. Pond and Outlet Channel (Kittitas Co.)
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Conservation
County or Location Information Kittitas County
Short Description Close the following: Gold Creek, Gold Creek Pond, and Outlet Channel (tributary to Keechelus Lake), including that portion of Gold Creek that flows through the dry lakebed.
Explanation Extends closed waters into lake bed to protect a threatened adfluvial population of ESA listed bull trout that migrate between Keechelus Lake and Gold Creek to spawn. There have been documented problems with anglers fishing in the creek within the reservoir boundary and claiming they are fishing in Keechelus Lake, which is open to fishing year-round. Staging/migrating adult bull trout can be targeted by unethical or uninformed anglers who think it is legal to fish in Gold Creek within the reservoir boundary. This change has already been made for the same reason at Box Canyon Creek (Kachess Lake), and Indian Creek and N.F. Tieton River (Rimrock Lake).
