March 3, 2004
Action: The Methow, Chewuch, and Wenatchee rivers will close to all fishing, March 5, 2004.
Effective date: March 5 through March 31, 2004
Locations:
· Methow River from mouth to falls above Brush Creek
· Chewuch River from mouth to Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
· Wenatchee River from mouth to Hwy. 2 Bridge in Leavenworth
Reason for action: The winter whitefish season on the three rivers allows for the use of bait, with a 3/16 (Sz.14) hook size. However, anglers have been targeting steelhead under the guise of fishing for whitefish. Since steelhead are listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered, the fisheries are constrained by take limits. The take authorization on steelhead associated with the whitefish fisheries have been met on Methow, Chewuch, and Wenatchee rivers.
Information contact: Kirk Truscott, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 664-1227; Joe Foster, Regional Fish Management Program Manager, (509) 754-4624; Art Viola, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337.
Effective date: March 5 through March 31, 2004
Locations:
· Methow River from mouth to falls above Brush Creek
· Chewuch River from mouth to Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
· Wenatchee River from mouth to Hwy. 2 Bridge in Leavenworth
Reason for action: The winter whitefish season on the three rivers allows for the use of bait, with a 3/16 (Sz.14) hook size. However, anglers have been targeting steelhead under the guise of fishing for whitefish. Since steelhead are listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered, the fisheries are constrained by take limits. The take authorization on steelhead associated with the whitefish fisheries have been met on Methow, Chewuch, and Wenatchee rivers.
Information contact: Kirk Truscott, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 664-1227; Joe Foster, Regional Fish Management Program Manager, (509) 754-4624; Art Viola, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337.