| Reference ID: DFW911592 | | Critical Conservation Need Submission Type: Public | Rules Category:
Statewide | Species covered in proposed rule
• Steelhead
| Rule to Change:
Selective Gear Rules Only unscented artificial
flies or lures with one single-point, barbless hook
are allowed. Up to a total of three artificial flies or
lures, each containing one single-point, barbless
hook may be used. Bait is prohibited; fish may
be released until the daily limit is retained. Only
knotless nets may be used to land fish except
where specifically allowed under Special Rules
for individual waters. If any fish has swallowed
the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye, or tongue,
it should be kept if legal to do so. | New Rule Proposal:
Selective Gear Rules
Westside Rivers - Trout and Steelhead - February 1 to April 30.
Eastside Rivers - Trout and Steelhead – Year Round
| Why the change is needed:
Catch and release mortality can vary widely depending the gear type used. Hooten (2001) found that hooking mortality was consistently at least 3 to 9 times higher when using bait verses using artificial lure or fly. Bruesewitz (1995) found that the highest percentage (17. 8%) of critical area hookings (tongue, esophagus, gills, and eyes) occurred when using bait and treble hooks in winter steelhead fisheries. Because steelhead and stream-resident rainbow trout are the same species, inter-spawn, and both can produce anadromous forms, it is important to consider wild rainbow trout conservation when managing for wild steelhead sustainability and recovery. Many studies have shown significantly higher mortality in trout when angling with bait verses artificial lures/flies (Taylor and White 1992; Schill and Scarpella 1995; Mongillo 1984; Wydoski 1977; Schisler and Bergersen 1996). Taylor and White (1992) showed an average mortality of trout to be 6-8 times greater when using bait verses using lures or flies, respectively. Selective gear rules are necessary to minimize the mortality impacts on wild steelhead populations throughout WA (including many ESA listed stocks). | Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change:
Wild Steelhead Coalition, Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee, The Conservation Angler. | Describe their support and/or concerns:
Support similar or identical proposal | | Submitted by: GAYESKI (WILD FISH CONSERVANCY, NICK J — DUVALL, WA Date submitted: 06/14/2012 |
Reference ID: DFW911592 Currently rules are set by individual river system that are adequately protective of each seperate stock of fish. If these rules are not effective they are then adjusted by individual system. A blanket rule for eastside or westside rivers would not be more protective of trout or steelhead stocks than current rules and would likley lead to loss of opportunity for a large proportion of the States trout and steelhead anglers.
LAWRENCE, ANDREW R January 23, 2013
LYNNWOOD, WA
Comments:
I support this proposal for the reasons noted above. HOPPLER, WES C January 29, 2013
SEATTLE, WA
Comments:
Oppose this proposal, bait is the preferred method of angling for the majority winter steelheaders.
See broader comment on nearly identical proposal DFW725075
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