Drano Lake outlet to be limited to bank fishing; anti-snagging rule will no longer be in effect

March 2, 2010

Action: The immediate area around the outlet of Drano Lake will be limited to fishing from the bank only beginning April 16. The anti-snag rule will no longer be in effect during the spring.

Species affected: All species

Effective dates: Bank fishing only area beginning April 16; anti-snag rule removed beginning March 16.

Location: The bank fishing only area will be west of a line projected from the eastern most pillar of the Highway 14 Bridge to a posted marker on the north shore. The anti-snag rule will be removed from the entire area.

Reason for action: Over the last several seasons, the department received numerous concerns about bank and boat interactions near the outlet of Drano Lake during the spring chinook fisheries. Bank fishing is limited in the lake and the outlet is a popular and productive area for both bank and boat anglers.

During the 2009 North of Falcon process, the department proposed a test to reduce the bank and boat conflicts by limiting the immediate area near the outlet of Drano Lake to bank fishing only during the spring chinook fishery.

The test was successful in reducing conflicts and the rule was made permanent during the 2010-2011 Sport Rule Adoption Process. In addition, the anti-snag rule for the spring fishery was also permanently eliminated. This emergency rule change will make these new permanent regulations effective at the start of this year's fishery.

Other information: The remainder of Drano Lake will remain open to fishing from boats and the bank. The bank only area will be in place during the spring chinook fishery but not during the summer steelhead and fall salmon fisheries. The anti-snag rule will remain in effect during the fall.

From March 16 through June 30 the salmon and steelhead daily limits will be a total of 2 hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead or one of each. The night closure will still be in effect during the spring. Fishing will be closed Wednesdays from the second Wednesday in April through May.

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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.