Rule to Change: Whatcom Lake Region4 - species- All Game fish
season rule- 4th sat in Apr -Oct31
additional rules - statewide min. size/daily limit. release CUTTHROAT.
New Rule Proposal: Whatcom Lake Region4 - species- trout & Kokanee & other gamefish except Bass
season rule- 4th sat in Apr -Oct31
additional rules - statewide min. size/daily limit. Release CUTTHROAT.
Whatcom Lake Region4 - Bass
season rule - Jan1 - Oct31
additional rules - statewide min. size/daily limit. release CUTTHROAT.
Why the change is needed: provides addtional opportunity for local fisherpersons,
provides economic value to sales & tournaments
helps push Canadian honkers off public launch areas
provides local steelhead fisherpersons during closures to expand to another fishery
Puts more eyes on the water for peer pressure against poaching cutthroat.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Brett Barkdull - REG 4 WDFW bio Trout
Justin Spinelli - Reg 4 WDFW bio Trout
Danniel Garret - Reg 4 WDFW bio Bass
Borderline Bassin Contenders - local huntng & fishing club since 1973 45 membership
Describe their support and/or concerns:
WDFW bass bio okay w/concept feels enough difference in fishing techniques and gear used - Cutthroat if incidently caught can be released & identification difference no problem.
WDFW cold water trout bios concerned that fisherpersons will use as guise to fish Cuthroat.
Borderline Bassin Contenders - has fished this lake for 20plus years has watched cutthroat depletion and were one of the local clubs recommending closure at the time of closure.
The cuthroat closure has been in effect for over 10yrs with no positive status in all that time. Spawning habitat is down to nothing. The WDFW would do better to manage Cutthroat with artificial plants, we do not think wild fish will come back. See Attachment Borderline Bassin Letter to go with this proposal.
Submitted by: HARRIMAN, ROBERT K — BELLINGHAM, WA
Date submitted: 06/14/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW706843
As is stated by the applicant, cutthroat trout recruitment is far below the desired level due to habitat issues in the tributaries. Cutthroat congregate at the mouths of the spawning tributaries in late winter early spring during the closure period, and in many of the same locations that smallmouth bass reside. These congregations prior to spawning make them highly susceptible to anglers and the resultant hooking mortality associated with catch and release is not desirable with the current recruitment issues.
Online Public Comments(0 comments)
No online public comments submitted for this proposal.
