Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Steelhead
Rule to Change: wHITE SALMON RIVER (Klickitat/Skamania Co.) from mouth to
Northwestern Lake Rd. Bridge (508)
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (p. 16)
CLOSED WATERS - from county road bridge below powerhouse upstream to Northwestern Lake Rd. Bridge.
ALL SPECIES - bank fishing only downstream from the Hwy. 14 Bridge. From the mouth to Hwy. 14 Bridge: the
daily limit follows the most liberal regulations of the adjacent mainstem Columbia or White Salmon rivers when
both areas are open concurrently for SALMON. Aug. 1-Dec. 31: anti-snagging rule.
TROUT Aug. 1-Mar. 31 Min. size 14". Daily limit 2.
Other Game Fish Aug. 1-Mar. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit.
SALMON &
STEELHEAD
Apr. 1-July 31 SALMON - min. size 12". Daily limit is a total of 2 SALMON or
hatchery STEELHEAD or 1 of each. Release wild CHINOOK.
SALMON Aug. 1-Mar. 31 Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release
wild CHINOOK (continued on next page) and wild COHO.
wHITE SALMON RIVER (cont.)
from Northwestern Lake Rd. Bridge to
Big Brother Falls (River Mile 16) (508)
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (p. 16)
CLOSED WATERS - from Big Brother Falls downstream 400'.
ALL SPECIES - selective gear rules. Internal combustion motors prohibited.
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Catch-and-release except up to 2 hatchery STEELHEAD may be
retained.
New Rule Proposal: wHITE SALMON RIVER (Klickitat/Skamania Co.) from mouth to
county road bridge below powerhouse (508)
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (p. 16)
ALL SPECIES - bank fishing only downstream from the Hwy. 14 Bridge. From the mouth to Hwy. 14 Bridge: the
daily limit follows the most liberal regulations of the adjacent mainstem Columbia or White Salmon rivers when
both areas are open concurrently for SALMON. Aug. 1-Dec. 31: anti-snagging rule.
TROUT Aug. 1-Mar. 31 Min. size 14". Daily limit 2.
Other Game Fish Aug. 1-Mar. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit.
SALMON &
STEELHEAD
Apr. 1-July 31 SALMON - min. size 12". Daily limit is a total of 2 SALMON or
hatchery STEELHEAD or 1 of each. Release wild CHINOOK.
SALMON Aug. 1-Mar. 31 Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release
wild CHINOOK (continued on next page) and wild COHO.
wHITE SALMON RIVER (cont.)
from county road bridge below powerhouse to
Big Brother Falls (River Mile 16) (508)
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (p. 16)
CLOSED WATERS - from Big Brother Falls downstream 400'.
ALL SPECIES - selective gear rules. Internal combustion motors prohibited.
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Catch-and-release except up to 2 hatchery STEELHEAD may be
retained.
Why the change is needed: Condit Dam on the White Salmon River was breached in the fall of 2011. Salmon and steelhead can now access the upper river. There has been a closure to fishing around the dam area due to safety cocerns as the structure is being removed, In 2013 the area will be back open to the public. This new regulation opens that area to sport fishing under selective gear rules allowing the retention of hatchery steelhead. These rules will protect spawning salmon and steelhead as they recolonize this new area.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Region 5 Fish Program staff
Describe their support and/or concerns:
They support.
Submitted by: WEINHEIMER, JOHN — ,
Date submitted: 06/14/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW271783
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Open steelhead fishery on White Salmon River
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Conservation
County or Location Information Skamania County
Short Description Open hatchery steelhead angling on the White Salmon River from the county road bridge below the former powerhouse to Northwestern Lake Road Bridge and require selective gear rules.
Explanation Condit Dam on the White Salmon River was breached in the fall of 2011 and salmonids now access the upper river. There has been a closure to fishing around the dam area due to safety concerns while the structure was being removed, In 2013 the area will be back open to the public. This regulation opens that area to sport fishing under selective gear rules and allows the retention of hatchery steelhead. These rules protect spawning salmonids as they recolonize this new area.
