Fishing closure of Skykomish River near Reiter Ponds extended until further notice

July 26, 2005

July 26, 2005

Fishing closure of Skykomish River near Reiter Ponds
extended until further notice

Action: Extend the fishing closure on the Reiter Ponds section of the Skykomish River, until further notice.

Effective date: 12:01 a.m. Aug 1, 2005, until further notice.

Species affected: All fish, including steelhead.

Location: Skykomish River from 1,500 feet upstream to 1,000 feet downstream of the Reiter Ponds outlet.

Reason for action: Summer steelhead broodstock returns to the Reiter Ponds facility have been extremely poor. As of July 25, only 148 summer steelhead have been collected at the trap. Poor hatchery summer steelhead returns together with low water conditions on the Skykomish River this year are the primary factors affecting broodstock collection efforts. To ensure an adequate number of broodstock are collected, the Reiter Ponds section of the Skykomish River will remain closed so that summer steelhead may enter into the Reiter facility unabated. At least 350 adult summer steelhead are needed to meet the broodstock collection goal.

Other information: Once enough summer steelhead broodstock are collected the Reiter Ponds section of the Skykomish River will re-open to fishing. For weekly updates on summer steelhead brood stock collection efforts at the Reiter Ponds please view the hatchery escapement reports on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife web page, http://wdfw.wa.gov.

Information contact: Chad Jackson, District Fish Biologist, (425) 775-1311, ext. 113

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.