Species covered in proposed rule • Trout • Other • Not species specific
Other Description Gamefish
Rule to Change: SKAGIT RIVER (Skagit Co.) from Mouth to Gorge Dam Currently split into five sections in the pamphlet
Current gear restrictions: Statewide Freshwater Rules, page 16 of the pamphlet
New Rule Proposal: Selective gear rules, maximum hook gap of 1/2 inch (size 2 approximately) required during any time periods Skagit is only open to trout and other gamefish. Rule would be superseded by applicable salmon and steelhead gear regulations during negotiated Salmon seasons, and established steelhead seasons starting Dec 1.
Why the change is needed: While this regulation proposal is for game fish rules, the intent is to reduce the impact on ESA listed Chinook. The issue being addressed is that people are increasingly abusing the gamefish rules and using them as an excuse to fish for salmon, mostly Chinooks, but other species as well. When folks are asked what species they are fishing for when obviously using Chinook gear, they answer “trout” making intent difficult to establish, and enforcement extremely difficult. This change is meant to address that issue by taking away people’s ability to effectively target Chinooks, while still allowing anglers to use gear appropriate for the species (trout) open to angling. By going to selective gear, impacts to rearing juveniles will also be reduced as a consequence.
The abuse of the trout fishing regulations is also resulting in pressure from tribal entities and enforcement to close the trout seasons when salmon seasons are not open. Tribal entities are using the current situation as a negotiation tool in salmon season negotiations as well. By regulating gear type, this is an attempt to curb the abuse and continue to offer, rather than take away, the significant trout fishing opportunity that do exist for cutthroat and Bull trout in the Skagit River.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Region 4 Enforcement staff. Region 4 Fish program. Sport fishery advisor Curt Kraemer. Commissioner Larry Carpenter
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Support.
Submitted by: BARKDULL, BRETT — ,
Date submitted: 06/13/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW583025
This proposal will be considered during the North of Falcon process because Chinook seasons are based on salmon abundance.
Reasons not recommended for further consideration
Salmon, goes through the North of Falcon process This proposal deals with salmon. Salmon seasons are set through the Pacific Fisheries Management Council/North of Falcon process. This process adopts a cohesive set of rules for sport and commercial salmon fisheries, from ocean fisheries to those inside Puget Sound including freshwater fisheries each year during March and April.
Your proposal will be provided to the manager(s) responsible for this species so that it can be considered during the appropriate rulemaking process.
Online Public Comments(0 comments)
No online public comments submitted for this proposal.
