Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Other
Other Description Bull trout
Rule to Change: Lost River from Monument Creek to outlet of Cougar Lake. Dolly Varden/bull trout. First Saturday in June-October 31. Minimum size 14". May be retained as part of the TROUT daily limit.
New Rule Proposal: Lost River from Monument Creek to the outlet of Cougar Lake. Bull trout. First Saturday in June-October 31. Catch and release only.
Why the change is needed: Bull trout are a federally listed threatened species.
Current rule is not consistent with WFDW Bull Trout Management Plan.
Current rule is not consistent with USFWS Bull Trout Recovery Plan.
Regulation enforcement is non existent.
There is no way to measure harvest and its impacts on the threatened bull trout population.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Gene Shull, biologist
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Fully supports this proposed rule change.
Submitted by: CRANDALL, JOHN — WINTHROP, WA
Date submitted: 06/15/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW252543
The bull trout population in Lost River is healthy. Recent WDFW population estimates indicate that the bull trout numbers have remained stable since the 1990's.
Online Public Comments(1 comments)
CRANDALL, JOHN October 08, 2012 WINTHROP, WA Comments: The WDFW Bull Trout Management Plan (2000), states, "Directed sport fisheries on char will only be allowed on healthy stocks with a harvestable surplus."
WDFW derived data (1992 and 2010 surveys) clearly indicate that a harvestable surplus of bull trout DOES NOT exist in the upper Lost River. Please provide justification on why the WDWF Bull Trout Management Plan is not being followed in this case?
