Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Walleye
Rule to Change: No min. size. Daily limit 10. Up to 5 over 18" and only 1 over 24" may be retained
New Rule Proposal: Columbia river. No min size. No daily limit
Why the change is needed: Walleye overpopulate to a point where they will start stuning themselfs and eat a lot of smelt and salmon smolt. Places like potholes are just a big hatchery adding to overpopulation. This is an invasive species and not native to the columbia river
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: WDFW
Describe their support and/or concerns:
They agree
Submitted by: BURNS, BILL D — LONG BEACH, WA
Date submitted: 05/15/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW513183
Data from Columbia River predation studies don't support the claim that walleye are "overpopulated" or stunted. Further, salmonid predation rates by walleye (and smallmouth) are lower than people think and not even close to the impact that northern pikeminnow (a native species) can have on salmonids.
Online Public Comments(0 comments)
No online public comments submitted for this proposal.
