Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Trout • Steelhead
Rule to Change: NACHES RIVER (Yakima Co.)
from mouth to confluence with Tieton
River
TROUT First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Min. size 12". Max. size 20". Daily limit 2. Selective gear rules. Internal
combustion motors prohibited.
Other Game Fish First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit. Selective gear rules. Internal
combustion motors prohibited.
WHITEFISH Dec. 1-Mar. 31 No min. size. Daily limit 15 WHITEFISH only. Whitefish gear rules.
from confluence with Tieton River to
Rattlesnake Creek
TROUT First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Catch-and-release. Selective gear rules. Internal combustion motors
prohibited.
Other Game Fish First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit. Selective gear rules. Internal
combustion motors prohibited.
WHITEFISH Dec. 1-Mar. 31 No min. size. Daily limit 15 WHITEFISH only. Whitefish gear rules.
from Rattlesnake Creek upstream TROUT First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Min. size 12". Max. size 20". Daily limit 2. Selective gear rules. Internal
combustion motors prohibited.
Other Game Fish First Sat. in June-Oct. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit. Selective gear rules. Internal
combustion motors prohibited.
WHITEFISH Dec. 1-Mar. 31 No min. size. Daily limit 15 WHITEFISH only. Whitefish gear rules.
New Rule Proposal: Naches River from Little Naches River to confluence with Yakima River. Catch and Release only, only Selective Gear rules, Year Around.
Why the change is needed: Without the Year around Season there is one to police the poachers. With no one on the river to police the poachers they are targeting steelhead and pretending to be whitefish fishing.. There are many smolts, both native steelhead and salmon, that can remain in the river to be close to the minimum size if not over, and are taken and are being removed. Then you have the Steelhead smolt that have residualized and not out migrated that will and do spawn with the returning steelhead.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Yakima Fly Fishers
Describe their support and/or concerns:
No input given
Submitted by: HETTINGER, CRAIG — SELAH, WA
Date submitted: 05/17/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW471718
This proposal does not offer additional conservation protection that warrants adjusting the current rule. The current rule is protective of native fish while allowing a broad spectrum of recreational anglers to use the resource. Implementing the proposed rule would potentially reduce recreational use of the resource.
Online Public Comments(1 comments)
JOHNSON, WILL October 13, 2012 YAKIMA, WA Comments: This river should surely become catch and release only. I have personelly witnessed total disregaurd for limits and fishing practices ie. worms and whatever to catch the most and the biggest they can! The people that do this would be just as happy to fish the smaller lakes in the area you could fill with catchable hatchery trout to fill there stringers. Protect the bull trout, stealhead, and wild trout population. There are few waters in the area that have the eco system to support wild! I know its all about revenue. Ask montana what they make off there blue ribbon streams. do the right thing!
