Other Description gamefish, Dolly Varden/bull trout
Rule to Change: Wallace River (Snohomish Co.) from mouth (farthest downstream railroad bridge) to 363rd Ave. SE/Reese Rd. (Dike Road). All Species-Sept. 16-Nov. 30: night closure and anti-snagging rule. Nov. 1-Feb. 15: fishing from any floating device prohibited.
.Dolly Varden/Bull Trout-First Sat. in June-Feb 15-Min. size 20”. May be retained as part of the TROUT daily limit.
•All Other TROUT-First Sat. in June-Feb 15-Min. size 14”. Daily limit 2.
•Other Game Fish- First Sat. in June-Feb 15-Statewide min. size/daily limit.
•SALMON-Sept. 16-Nov. 30-Min. size 12”. Daily limit 3 COHO only.
New Rule Proposal: Extend night closure and anti-snagging rules
Wallace River (Snohomish Co.) from mouth (farthest downstream railroad bridge) to 363rd Ave. SE/Reese Rd. (Dike Road). All Species-First Saturday in June -Nov. 30: night closure and anti-snagging rule. Nov. 1-Feb. 15: fishing from any floating device prohibited.
•Dolly Varden/Bull Trout-First Sat. in June-Feb 15-Min. size 20”. May be retained as part of the TROUT daily limit.
•All Other TROUT-First Sat. in June-Feb 15-Min. size 14”. Daily limit 2.
•Other Game Fish- First Sat. in June-Feb 15-Statewide min. size/daily limit.
SALMON-Sept. 16-Nov. 30-Min. size 12”. Daily limit 3 COHO only.
Why the change is needed: Currently the anti-snagging rule starts with the salmon season. Chinook and coho, are present in the river during the trout and game fish seasons. Enforcement reports concerns with snagging of Chinook and coho during the trout and gamefish season. This regulation change would make it easier to enforce anti-snagging. Additionally, the Wallace Hatchery is on this river and they have had difficulty meeting Chinook brood stock goals for the past three years. ESA listed Chinook spawn in the Wallace river and extending anti-snagging rules during the trout and gamefish seasons would reduce impacts on wild spawning Chinook.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Enforcement officers Nick Jorg and Julie Cook, Region 4 staff Brett Barkdull and Justin Spinelli
Describe their support and/or concerns:
They support having anti-snagging rules in effect on the Wallace River whenever it is open for fishing. Brett Barkdull would prefer changing the rules for the entire Wallace from “anti-snagging rule” to “only one single point hook allowed, and bait or lure must be suspended below a float”.
Submitted by: WHITNEY, JENNIFER — ,
Date submitted: 06/15/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW803198
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Extend night closure and anti-snagging rules on the Wallace River
Rules Category Puget Sound Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Recreational
County or Location Information Snohomish County
Short Description Extend night closure and anti-snagging rules from the mouth (farthest downstream railroad bridge) to 363rd Avenue SE/Reese Road (Dike Road)from June through February 15.
Explanation Currently the anti-snagging rule starts with the salmon season. Chinook and coho are present in the river during the trout and game fish seasons. Enforcement reports concerns with salmon snagging during the trout and game fish season. This regulation change would make it easier to enforce anti-snagging. Additionally, the Wallace Hatchery is on this river and they have had difficulty meeting Chinook brood stock goals for the past three years. ESA listed Chinook spawn in the Wallace River so extending anti-snagging rules during the trout and game fish seasons would reduce impacts on wild spawning Chinook.
