Recreational Fishing in Eastern Washington Lakes

Rule-making status: Permanent
Rule-making reference: #2024-11

Summary of proposed rule

The rule proposal removes the daily limit of yellow perch from Fish Lake in Chelan County. The rule proposal also increases fishing opportunity on Park, Blue, and Deep Lakes in Grant County by extending the recreational fishing season by one month each year. 

Scope and rationale for proposed rule

WDFW proposes to combine two separate rule petitions amending WAC 220-312-050 for recreational fishing rules in Eastern Washington. The first petition requests that WDFW remove the daily limit of 25 yellow perch in Fish Lake in Chelan County, which are overpopulated in this lake. Removing the daily limit will increase harvest rates and improve average size of currently-stunted yellow perch over time, improving the quality of the yellow perch fishery, as well as reduce competition with other game fish in the lake. The second petition requests that WDFW extend the recreational fishing seasons for all species in Park, Blue, and Deep Lakes in Grant County to allow fishing opportunity later into the fall when trout fishing is very productive. The season currently opens on the fourth Saturday in April and closes on September 30 each year. The extended season would close on October 31 each year instead.

Public comments

To view and submit comments, please visit the Eastern Washington lakes engagement page.

You may also leave comments by sending an email to 2024lakespetitions@publicinput.com or by leaving a voicemail message at 855-925-2801 and enter project code 7252.

The comment period ends at 11:59 pm on September 10, 2024

Public hearing

The director hearing is scheduled on September 10, 2024 at 6-8 pm. 

To attend this hearing, you must register in advance by going to Webinar Registration - Zoom.

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

SEPA determination: Exempt

The rule making for this proposal is exempt from SEPA under WAC 197-11-835(1) and (6).

For more information

Staff Contact: Kelly Henderson at Kelly.Henderson@dfw.wa.gov

 

Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact:
833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.