Rule to Change: Merwin Lake Landlock Sockeye(Kokanee)Salmon Daily Limit 5.
New Rule Proposal: Increase the daily limit from 5 Kokanee on Lake Merwin to 7.
Why the change is needed: Our current Broodstock goal is to release 93K Kokanee into Lake Merwin. We currently collect 150 pair (i.e 150 females and 150 males) to achieve this goal. The current return to Speelyai Creek each fall number in the thousands. I believe that increasing the daily catch limit to at least 7 would increase interest, which would intern increase license sales. The revenue gained may not be much however any revenue gained helps. I believe if we were to increase the daily catch limit, Speelyai Hatchery will continue to accomplish its broodstock goals without any negative impact.
Thank you for considering this rule change!
Regards,
Bryan Coyle
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: No input given
Describe their support and/or concerns:
No input given
Submitted by: COYLE, BRYAN W — ,
Date submitted: 04/30/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Recommended for Public Comment Reference ID: DFW825152
Rule Change Recommendation Short Title Increase daily bag limit for kokanee on Lake Merwin
Rules Category Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Type of Rule Change Proposal Recreational
County or Location Information Clark and Cowlitz counties
Short Description Increase daily limit to 10 kokanee plus 5 trout.
Explanation Adult kokanee returns to Speelyai Hatchery have consistently exceeded escapement needs for broodstock collection for the last several years --escapement need is 160 pairs and several thousand over this have been returning annually.
