Reference ID: DFW750712
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title
Rules Category
Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal
Conservation
County or Location Information
Short Description
Extends selective gear rules protection (no bait, single barbless hooks) for salmonids in Manastash Creek, Little Naches River, Nile Creek, Oak Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, Taneum Creek, Teanaway River, Swauk Creek, North Fork Tieton River, and their tributaries.
Explanation
Recent improvements in passage conditions, fish screening and habitat flow enhancements in Manastash and Taneum creeks are allowing for increased numbers of adult steelhead to enter the drainage to spawn. The other listed systems have recently emerged as important steelhead spawning and rearing areas, contributing to the Mid-Columbia Distinct Population Segment for population recovery. It is important to protect the spawning/rearing areas of this ESA listed threatened species in the Yakima Basin. Protecting juvenile steelhead (and Westslope cutthroat trout) from mortality associated with bait fishing is a needed conservation action.
Bull trout spawning in Monument Creek is comprised of both fluvial and resident fish, and this is an important spawning area for federally threatened bull trout.
Original Rule Proposal Number(s)DFW539230DFW605503DFW387473DFW665092DFW059795DFW221345DFW386298DFW750712DFW065599
