Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Steelhead
Rule to Change: Green River (Cowlitz Co.) From mouth to Miner's Creek. All Game Fish. First Saturday in June-November 30.
New Rule Proposal: Green River (Cowlitz Co.) From mouth to Miner's Creek. All Game Fish. Last Saturday in May to the first Friday in June.
Hatchery steelhead. Selective gear rules.
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Why the change is needed: This rule change is needed to increase the harvest opportunity on hatchery summer steelhead. This rule change will increase the harvest rate on hatchery summer steelhead thereby reducing the potential spawning and ecological interaction between hatchery summer steelhead and wild winter steelhead. Region 5 has used the EREG process for a number of years to accomplish this rule change and we now want to make this a permanent rule. (Adds about one week of opportunity)
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: This rule change was proposed by the Steelhead Management Work Group (public) which has been meeting with Region 5 staff to develop watershed specific Steelhead Management Plans.
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Group is very much in favor of this proposal.
Submitted by: DAMMERS, WOLF — ,
Date submitted: 06/13/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW471833
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Increase hatchery summer steelhead harvest opportunity on the Green and Toutle rivers
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Recreational
County or Location Information Cowlitz County
Short Description Increase the harvest opportunity on hatchery summer steelhead. Open from mouth to 400 feet below the Toutle Hatchery water intake. All Game Fish: Last Saturday in May to the first Friday in June under selective gear rules.
Explanation Reduces the potential spawning and ecological interaction between hatchery summer steelhead and wild winter steelhead. This rule has been implemented for many years via emergency regulation.
