June 3, 2009
June 3, 2009
Game fish closures and gear rule changes
for protection of wild summer steelhead
Actions:
1. Change the game fish rules on the South Fork Nooksack River and North Fork Skykomish River to: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules. Night closure in effect.
2. Change the game fish rules on the Tolt River and Canyon Creek: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules.
3. Finney Creek will close to all fishing.
Effective dates: June 6, 2009 until further notice.
Species affected: Trout and all game fish.
Locations and Fishing Rule Changes:
1. South Fork Nooksack River:
(a) From mouth to Skookum Creek confluence: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules. Night closure in effect.
(b) The waters from Skookum Creek upstream remain closed.
2. North Fork Skykomish River:
(a) From mouth to 1,000 feet below Bear Falls: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules. Night closure in effect.
(b) The area from 1,000 feet below Bear Falls to Deer Falls (located about ¼ mile upstream of Goblin Creek) remains closed.
(c) From Deer Falls (located about ¼ mile upstream of Goblin Creek) upstream: All Game Fish - Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
3. Tolt River:
(a) From mouth to USGS trolley cable near confluence of North and South Forks: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules.
4. Canyon Creek (South Fork Stillaguamish River):
(a) From mouth to forks: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules.
5. Finney Creek: From mouth upstream: Closed Waters.
Reasons for action: Wild summer steelhead inhabiting the affected waters are part of the Puget Sound Steelhead Distinct Population Segment, which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The fishing gear rule changes and fishing closure are intended to protect wild summer steelhead from incidental fishing mortality.
Information Contact:
Aaron Bosworth, Region 4 - Regional Fisheries Manager, 425-775-1311 x101, Aaron.Bosworth@dfw.wa.gov
Game fish closures and gear rule changes
for protection of wild summer steelhead
Actions:
1. Change the game fish rules on the South Fork Nooksack River and North Fork Skykomish River to: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules. Night closure in effect.
2. Change the game fish rules on the Tolt River and Canyon Creek: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules.
3. Finney Creek will close to all fishing.
Effective dates: June 6, 2009 until further notice.
Species affected: Trout and all game fish.
Locations and Fishing Rule Changes:
1. South Fork Nooksack River:
(a) From mouth to Skookum Creek confluence: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules. Night closure in effect.
(b) The waters from Skookum Creek upstream remain closed.
2. North Fork Skykomish River:
(a) From mouth to 1,000 feet below Bear Falls: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules. Night closure in effect.
(b) The area from 1,000 feet below Bear Falls to Deer Falls (located about ¼ mile upstream of Goblin Creek) remains closed.
(c) From Deer Falls (located about ¼ mile upstream of Goblin Creek) upstream: All Game Fish - Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
3. Tolt River:
(a) From mouth to USGS trolley cable near confluence of North and South Forks: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules.
4. Canyon Creek (South Fork Stillaguamish River):
(a) From mouth to forks: All game fish - catch and release, except up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Selective gear rules.
5. Finney Creek: From mouth upstream: Closed Waters.
Reasons for action: Wild summer steelhead inhabiting the affected waters are part of the Puget Sound Steelhead Distinct Population Segment, which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The fishing gear rule changes and fishing closure are intended to protect wild summer steelhead from incidental fishing mortality.
Information Contact:
Aaron Bosworth, Region 4 - Regional Fisheries Manager, 425-775-1311 x101, Aaron.Bosworth@dfw.wa.gov