Fishing closes on several Puget Sound rivers to obtain hatchery steelhead broodstock

January 3, 2003

Actions: Fishing for all game fish including steelhead will close on sections of the Cascade, North Fork Nooksack, North Fork Stillaguamish, Skykomish, Wallace, and Snoqualmie rivers and Tokul Creek.

Effective date: January 6, 2003 through February 28, 2003

Species affected: All game fish including steelhead

Locations:

The Cascade River from its mouth upstream to the Rockport Cascade Road Bridge
North Fork Nooksack River from the mouth of Racehorese Creek upstream to the mouth of Kendall Creek
Upper North Fork Stillaguamish River from the mouth of Little French Creek (located approximately one-half mile downstream of Fortson Creek) to 25 yards upstream of the mouth of outlet of the White Horse Rearing Ponds
The mainstem Skykomish River from 1,500 feet upstream to 1,000 feet downstream of the Reiter Ponds outlet
The Upper Wallace River from the railroad trestle (downstream of Highway 2 Bridge) upstream to the mouth of Olney Creek
Mainstem Snoqualmie River from the Plum Access boat launch ramp (located approximately one-quarter (1/4) mile downstream of the mouth of Tokul Creek) to Snoqualmie Falls
Tokul Creek from its mouth to the posted cable boundary marker (approximately 700 feet upstream of the mouth)

Reason for action: The returns of hatchery winter steelhead to Puget Sound hatcheries for broodstock purposes are well below required numbers. The closures are necessary to protect adult hatchery fish holding near these WDFW hatchery facilities until they can be trapped to meet broodstock needs.

Other Information: If egg take requirements are assured prior to the end of February, the closed areas will be reopened to the fishing for game fish.

Information contact: Pete Castle, District Fish Biologist, (360) 466-4345 ext. 230 and Curt Kraemer, District Fish Biologist, (360) 775-1311.

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.