December 9, 2015
December 8, 2015
Rescinds selective gear rules in Willapa Bay tributaries;
salmon closures remain in effect
Action: Rescinds the selective gear requirement in the previous emergency rule for fishing in all Willapa Bay tributaries. Willapa Bay and its tributaries remain closed to salmon fishing except for following sections:
a. Naselle River (Pacific/Wahkiakum counties): Open for salmon fishing from the Highway 401 Bridge to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
b. Willapa River (Pacific County): Open for salmon from the Highway 6 Bridge to Fork Creek. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
c. Fork Creek (Pacific County) From Forks Creek Hatchery Rack upstream 500 feet at fishing boundary sign: Open for salmon. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho. Remains Closed - except for anglers with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair AND who have a designated harvester companion card.
Effective Date: Dec. 10, 2015, until further notice.
Species affected: All species.
Location: Willapa tributaries.
Other information: Selective gear is still required if listed in the 2015-16 pamphlet.
Reason for action: An emergency rule is needed as the concerns about the predominate low flow conditions present in the Willapa Bay Basin earlier in the fall have subsided during the last few weeks with substantial amounts of rainfall. There is also a need to increase the effectiveness of the recreational steelhead fishery and their ability to remove hatchery steelhead from the system.
Information contact: Chad Herring, (360) 249-1299
Rescinds selective gear rules in Willapa Bay tributaries;
salmon closures remain in effect
Action: Rescinds the selective gear requirement in the previous emergency rule for fishing in all Willapa Bay tributaries. Willapa Bay and its tributaries remain closed to salmon fishing except for following sections:
a. Naselle River (Pacific/Wahkiakum counties): Open for salmon fishing from the Highway 401 Bridge to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
b. Willapa River (Pacific County): Open for salmon from the Highway 6 Bridge to Fork Creek. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho.
c. Fork Creek (Pacific County) From Forks Creek Hatchery Rack upstream 500 feet at fishing boundary sign: Open for salmon. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon except chum and hatchery coho. Remains Closed - except for anglers with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair AND who have a designated harvester companion card.
Effective Date: Dec. 10, 2015, until further notice.
Species affected: All species.
Location: Willapa tributaries.
Other information: Selective gear is still required if listed in the 2015-16 pamphlet.
Reason for action: An emergency rule is needed as the concerns about the predominate low flow conditions present in the Willapa Bay Basin earlier in the fall have subsided during the last few weeks with substantial amounts of rainfall. There is also a need to increase the effectiveness of the recreational steelhead fishery and their ability to remove hatchery steelhead from the system.
Information contact: Chad Herring, (360) 249-1299