Mainstem Upper Columbia River will open Saturday (Oct. 21) for steelhead fishing

October 19, 2006

October 19, 2006

Mainstem Upper Columbia River
opens for steelhead fishing

Action: The mainstem Upper Columbia River will open to fishing for adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead. The daily limit is two fish, 20-inch minimum size.

Effective dates: Columbia River: October 21, 2006 through March 31, 2007, from Rocky Reach Dam upstream to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.

Species affected: Adipose-fin clipped steelhead with a healed scar in the location of the missing fin and other game fish

Location & Restrictions:
Columbia River: From Rocky Reach Dam upstream to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam:
Statewide gear rules apply. A night closure is in effect. All steelhead with an intact adipose fin and steelhead with an anchor (floy) tag must be immediately released unharmed. Any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin may not be totally removed from the water before release.

Reason for action:
The recreational fishery will reduce the proportion of hatchery-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds, thereby minimizing impact to wild steelhead spawning in Upper Columbia River tributaries. This will increase the proportion of wild steelhead on the spawning grounds and improve natural production.

Other information:
Anglers fishing for other fish species, where legal to do so, are required to follow the same rules, including the night closure as steelhead anglers. The Night Closure rule is defined on page 23 of the 2006/07 Fishing Rules pamphlet. All closed waters near dams, fish ways, etc. as noted in the pamphlet remain in effect.

Information contacts: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist - Omak (509) 826-7341, Art Viola, District 5 Fish Biologist - Wenatchee (509) 665-3337, Joe Miller, Region 2 Fish Program Manager - Ephrata (509) 754-4624.

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.