Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Steelhead
Rule to Change: TOUTLE RIVER, SOUTH FORK
(Cowlitz Co.) mouth to 4100 Rd. Bridge
(577)
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (p. 16)
CLOSED WATERS - all tributaries.
ALL SPECIES - Dec. 1-Mar. 31: selective gear rules. Internal combustion motors prohibited.
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-Mar. 15 Catch-and-release except up to 2 hatchery STEELHEAD may be retained.
from 4100 Rd. Bridge upstream to
source (577)
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement (p. 16)
CLOSED WATERS - all tributaries.
All Game Fish First Sat. in June-Nov. 30 Catch-and-release except up to 2 hatchery STEELHEAD may be retained
New Rule Proposal: TOUTLE RIVER, South Fork (Cowlitz Co.)
Mouth to 4700 Rd. Bridge
All Game Fish. Last Saturday in May to the first Friday in June. Selective Gear Rules. Catch and release except up to two hatchery steelhead.
Why the change is needed: This rule change was proposed by the Region 5 Steelhead Management Work Group (Public). The purpose is to provide additional harvest opportunity on hatchery summer steelhead thereby increasing the harvest rate and reducing the number of hatchery summer steelhead that may stray onto the spawning grounds and negatively impact wild winter steelhead. This rule change has been accomplished by ereg for a number of years and we want to make it a permanent rule now.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Pat Frazier-Region 5 Fish Program Manager
Bryce Glaser-Region 5 ESA Unit Biologist
Region 5 Steelhead Management Work Group for the Toutle/Green, Coweeman and Kalama River
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Supportive
Submitted by: DAMMERS, WOLF — ,
Date submitted: 06/15/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW690500
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Increase hatchery summer steelhead harvest opportunity on the South Fork Toutle River
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Recreational
County or Location Information Cowlitz County
Short Description Provide a new season from the mouth to 4700 Road Bridge from the last Saturday in May to the first Friday in June, with selective gear rules and catch and release except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained.
Explanation Proposed by the Region 5 Steelhead Management Work Group (Public), this rule provides additional harvest opportunity on hatchery summer steelhead and increases the harvest rate and reduces the number of hatchery summer steelhead that may stray onto the spawning grounds and negatively impact wild winter steelhead. This rule change has been accomplished by emergency regulation for a number of years and it is reasonable to make it permanent.
