Hatchery steelhead daily limit will increase on the lower Cowlitz River

May 16, 2008

May 16, 2008

Hatchery steelhead daily limit will increase on the
lower Cowlitz River

Action: Cowlitz River anglers may retain up to three hatchery steelhead beginning Saturday May 17.

Species affected: Steelhead.

Effective dates by location: Effective May 17 through October 31 from the Hwy. 4 Bridge at Kelso upstream to Mayfield Dam.

Reason for action: There have been strong returns of hatchery late stock winter run steelhead and a good early showing of hatchery summer runs to date. Through May 7, nearly 1,000 hatchery late stock winter steelhead and 30 hatchery summer run steelhead had returned to the salmon hatchery. Excess hatchery fish are available for harvest.

Other information: Release wild steelhead and those with a clipped right ventral fin and a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin.

Through May 31, only hatchery steelhead may be retained. Beginning June 1, the trout (including hatchery steelhead) daily limit will be 5 fish with up to 3 fish over 20 inches. Minimum size 12 inches. Release wild cutthroat.

This year's hatchery summer run steelhead two-salt return is from a full smolt plant, just over a half million fish, released in 2006. Surplus adult steelhead will be released into Kress Lake near Kalama until those waters become too warm. Steelhead are no longer recycled downstream on the Cowlitz.

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.