Barbless hooks required for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout on the mainstem Columbia River

December 20, 2012

December 20, 2012

Barbless hooks required for salmon, steelhead and
cutthroat trout on the mainstem Columbia River

Action: Barbless hooks will be required to fish for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout in the mainstem Columbia River, including the north jetty, from Buoy 10 upstream to the Washington/Oregon border above McNary Dam.

Species affected: Salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.

Effective dates: Jan. 1, 2013 until further notice.

Location: Mainstem Columbia River, including the north jetty, from Buoy 10 upstream to the Washington/Oregon border above McNary Dam

Other information: Barbless hooks are defined as a hook from which all barbs have been deleted when manufactured, filed off, or pinched down. Single-point, double, or treble hooks may be used.

Under permanent regulations, hatchery cutthroat trout may be retained from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to the I-5 Bridge through March 31. Except for the area and time listed above, all trout (except hatchery steelhead) must be released from the Washington/Oregon border downstream.

Reason for action: One of the provisions of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission's new draft policy, "Columbia River Basin Salmon Management," included requiring sport anglers fishing for salmon and steelhead in the mainstem Columbia River to use barbless hooks beginning in 2013. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a similar policy earlier this month, and the Washington commission is scheduled to take action on the policy during a public meeting Jan. 12, 2013. This regulation is needed to maintain concurrent regulations between Oregon and Washington in those waters of the mainstem Columbia River where the two states share a boundary.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.