Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Trout
Rule to Change: Tucquala Lake (Kittitas Co.); All gamefish, 1st Sat. in June - Oct. 31; statewide min. size/daily limit.
New Rule Proposal: Tucquala Lake (Kittitas Co.); All gamefish, 1st Sat. in June - Oct. 31; Eastern Brook Trout - no min. size, no daily limit; All Other Trout - Min. size 8", Daily limit 2. Eastern brook trout do not count as plart of the TROUT daily limit.
Why the change is needed: Provide additional opportunity to harvest non-native brook trout which are prolific in Tucquala Lake, which is actually a wide, slow moving section of the upper Cle Elum River. Non-native char (brook trout and lake trout) in the upper Cle Elum drainage above Cle Elum Dam are an impediment to reintroduction/recovery of native bull trout and compete with native rainbow and cutthroat. R3 has adopted similar regulations to liberalize the daily limit for brook trout in other waters where bull and other native trout may be adversely impacted (Indian Creek, Yakima Co.; Yakima R. from Easton Lake to Keechelus Dam).
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Eric Anderson, Dist. 8 Fish Biologist
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Supportive
Submitted by: EASTERBROOKS, JOHN A — ,
Date submitted: 06/07/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW642799
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Remove daily limit on brook trout in Tucquala Lake
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Recreational
County or Location Information Kittitas County
Short Description Change the rule in Tucquala Lake to no daily limit on brook trout.
Explanation Provide additional opportunity to harvest non-native brook trout, which are prolific in this lake. Tucquala Lake is a wide, slow moving section of the upper Cle Elum River. Non-native char (brook trout and lake trout) in the upper Cle Elum drainage above Cle Elum Dam are an impediment to reintroduction/recovery of native bull trout and compete with native rainbow and cutthroat. Region 3 has adopted similar regulations to liberalize the daily limit for brook trout in other waters where bull trout and other native trout may be adversely impacted (e.g., Indian Creek, Yakima Co.; Yakima River from Easton Lake to Keechelus Dam).
