January 25, 2011
Action: Close the Nooksack River system to fishing.
Species affected: All game fish.
Locations and effective dates:
- Nooksack River mainstem: From the Lummi Indian reservation boundary to confluence of North and South forks will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2011.
- North Fork Nooksack River: From mouth to Maple Creek will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 16, 2011.
- North Fork Nooksack River: From Maple Creek to Nooksack Falls will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2011.
- Middle Fork Nooksack River: From mouth to City of Bellingham diversion Dam will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2011.
- South Fork Nooksack River: From mouth to Skookum Creek will be closed to all fishing Feb. 1, 2011
Reasons for action: The Nooksack River wild steelhead run is depressed and will not meet the spawning goal for the 2010/2011 return year. This action will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.
Other information: Rules re-opening fisheries in the Nooksack River basin will be listed in the 2011/2012 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet.
Information Contact: Brett Barkdull, District 14 Fish Biologist, (360) 466-4345, Ext. 270, Brett.Barkdull@dfw.wa.gov; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program Manager, (425) 775-1311.
Species affected: All game fish.
Locations and effective dates:
- Nooksack River mainstem: From the Lummi Indian reservation boundary to confluence of North and South forks will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2011.
- North Fork Nooksack River: From mouth to Maple Creek will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 16, 2011.
- North Fork Nooksack River: From Maple Creek to Nooksack Falls will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2011.
- Middle Fork Nooksack River: From mouth to City of Bellingham diversion Dam will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2011.
- South Fork Nooksack River: From mouth to Skookum Creek will be closed to all fishing Feb. 1, 2011
Reasons for action: The Nooksack River wild steelhead run is depressed and will not meet the spawning goal for the 2010/2011 return year. This action will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.
Other information: Rules re-opening fisheries in the Nooksack River basin will be listed in the 2011/2012 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet.
Information Contact: Brett Barkdull, District 14 Fish Biologist, (360) 466-4345, Ext. 270, Brett.Barkdull@dfw.wa.gov; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program Manager, (425) 775-1311.