Rules Category: Eastern Washington and Columbia Region Freshwater
Species covered in proposed rule • Steelhead • Trout
Rule to Change: Cowiche Creek (Yakima Co.); All Game Fish; First Sat. in June - Oct. 31; Statewide min. size/daily limit; selective gear rules.
New Rule Proposal: Cowiche Creek (Yakima Co.)and tributaries; All Game Fish; First Sat. in June - Oct. 31; Statewide min. size/daily limit; selective gear rules.
Why the change is needed: Change the "Water" designation to include all Cowiche Creek tributaries, including the S.F. and N.F. Cowiche Creek and Reynolds Creek. Cowiche Creek and its three major tributaries have recently emerged as important steelhead spawning and rearing areas contributing to the Naches Basin population recovery in the Yakima Major Population Group of the Mid-Columbia DPS. Protecting juvenile steelhead (and Westslope cutthroat trout) from mortality associated with bait fishing is a needed conservation action. Steelhead are listed at "threatened" under ESA in the Yakima Basin. This changes extends Selective Gear Rules protection (no bait, single barbless hooks) to the tributaries for juvenile steelhead and westslope cutthroat trout.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: Eric Anderson, Dist. 8 Fish Biologist
Describe their support and/or concerns:
Eric supports this expansion of SGR to protect listed steelhead and resident trout from hooking mortality
Submitted by: EASTERBROOKS, JOHN A — ,
Date submitted: 06/08/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW937389
This proposal is similar to other proposals that recommend the stream strategy approach be implemented for Eastern Washington and the Columbia. This process will take time to develop. We plan to implement the stream strategy for Eastern Washington and the Columbia during the next sport rules cycle.
Online Public Comments(0 comments)
No online public comments submitted for this proposal.
