June 30, 2004
Fishing Rule Change
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091
Internet Address: http://wdfw.wa.gov
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
June 30, 2004
Daily limit for hatchery steelhead will increase
on the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers
Action: Up to 3 hatchery steelhead may retained on portions of the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers beginning July 1.
Effective Dates:
Cowlitz River July 1 through October 31
North Fork Lewis River downstream of Colvin Creek July 1 through October 31
North Fork Lewis River upstream of Colvin Creek July 1 through September 30
Species affected: Hatchery summer-run steelhead
Location:
Cowlitz River from the Hwy 4 Bridge at Kelso upstream to 400 feet or posted markers below the Barrier Dam;
North Fork Lewis River from the I-5 Bridge upstream to the overhead power lines below Merwin Dam
Reason for action: Summer run steelhead returns to the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers have been strong and hatchery escapement goals on both rivers are expected to be met. Summer run steelhead abundance peaks in June and July with good numbers of fish available into early fall. The strong returns provide the opportunity to liberalize the daily bag limit in these areas to allow increased harvest of hatchery summer run steelhead.
The Highway 4 Bridge that crosses the Cowlitz River at Kelso and the I-5 Bridge that crosses the North Fork Lewis River at Woodland were used as the lower boundaries of the increased hatchery steelhead daily limits to target fish destined to those systems. Steelhead destined for areas upstream from Bonneville Dam can be found this time of year seeking temporary relief in the cooler waters near the mouths of these rivers.
Under permanent rules, the North Fork Lewis River upstream from Colvin Creek (located upstream from the salmon hatchery) closes to all angling beginning Oct. 1 to protect the wild fall chinook spawning in the area.
Other information: On the Cowlitz River, the trout daily limit is 5 fish, no more than 3 over 20 inches. Minimum size 12 inches. Release wild cutthroat, wild steelhead and steelhead with missing right ventral fins.
On the North Fork Lewis River, wild steelhead and all other trout must be released.
Surplus hatchery steelhead are being recycled downstream each week on the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers, typically at the Interstate 5 and Olequa boat ramps on the Cowlitz and below the forks on the Lewis.
Information contact: Wolf Dammers/John Weinheimer (360) 696-6211
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091
Internet Address: http://wdfw.wa.gov
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
June 30, 2004
Daily limit for hatchery steelhead will increase
on the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers
Action: Up to 3 hatchery steelhead may retained on portions of the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers beginning July 1.
Effective Dates:
Cowlitz River July 1 through October 31
North Fork Lewis River downstream of Colvin Creek July 1 through October 31
North Fork Lewis River upstream of Colvin Creek July 1 through September 30
Species affected: Hatchery summer-run steelhead
Location:
Cowlitz River from the Hwy 4 Bridge at Kelso upstream to 400 feet or posted markers below the Barrier Dam;
North Fork Lewis River from the I-5 Bridge upstream to the overhead power lines below Merwin Dam
Reason for action: Summer run steelhead returns to the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers have been strong and hatchery escapement goals on both rivers are expected to be met. Summer run steelhead abundance peaks in June and July with good numbers of fish available into early fall. The strong returns provide the opportunity to liberalize the daily bag limit in these areas to allow increased harvest of hatchery summer run steelhead.
The Highway 4 Bridge that crosses the Cowlitz River at Kelso and the I-5 Bridge that crosses the North Fork Lewis River at Woodland were used as the lower boundaries of the increased hatchery steelhead daily limits to target fish destined to those systems. Steelhead destined for areas upstream from Bonneville Dam can be found this time of year seeking temporary relief in the cooler waters near the mouths of these rivers.
Under permanent rules, the North Fork Lewis River upstream from Colvin Creek (located upstream from the salmon hatchery) closes to all angling beginning Oct. 1 to protect the wild fall chinook spawning in the area.
Other information: On the Cowlitz River, the trout daily limit is 5 fish, no more than 3 over 20 inches. Minimum size 12 inches. Release wild cutthroat, wild steelhead and steelhead with missing right ventral fins.
On the North Fork Lewis River, wild steelhead and all other trout must be released.
Surplus hatchery steelhead are being recycled downstream each week on the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis rivers, typically at the Interstate 5 and Olequa boat ramps on the Cowlitz and below the forks on the Lewis.
Information contact: Wolf Dammers/John Weinheimer (360) 696-6211