February 16, 2007
Action: Anglers may retain adipose fin-clipped steelhead bearing anchor (floy) or disk tags in areas of the Columbia River currently open to steelhead fishing.
Effective dates: February 17, 2007, until further notice
Species affected: Adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin steelhead
Location & Regulations:
· Columbia River from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers upstream of Ringold Hatchery. Statewide gear rules apply.
· Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam ? Statewide gear rules for all species and night closure in effect.
Reason for action: Anchor (floy) and disk tags were applied to steelhead during run size determination and fish sampling operations at Priest Rapids Dam. The anchor (floy) and disk tagged adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin fish are no longer needed for monitoring purposes.
Other information: Anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery origin steelhead with an adipose fin-clipped and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Adipose fin-clipped steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested. Two (2) fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size.
All steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be immediately released unharmed.
WDFW has been monitoring the steelhead fishery area from Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam. As of mid-February, 82% of the total allowable take to naturally produced steelhead in the open area has been taken. With only 18% allowable take left, the fishery may close with little notice.
Information contacts: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 826-7341; Joe Miller, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-6066; John Easterbrooks, Region 3 Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330
Effective dates: February 17, 2007, until further notice
Species affected: Adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin steelhead
Location & Regulations:
· Columbia River from the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers upstream of Ringold Hatchery. Statewide gear rules apply.
· Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam ? Statewide gear rules for all species and night closure in effect.
Reason for action: Anchor (floy) and disk tags were applied to steelhead during run size determination and fish sampling operations at Priest Rapids Dam. The anchor (floy) and disk tagged adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin fish are no longer needed for monitoring purposes.
Other information: Anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery origin steelhead with an adipose fin-clipped and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Adipose fin-clipped steelhead containing a disk tag may also be harvested. Two (2) fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size.
All steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be immediately released unharmed.
WDFW has been monitoring the steelhead fishery area from Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam. As of mid-February, 82% of the total allowable take to naturally produced steelhead in the open area has been taken. With only 18% allowable take left, the fishery may close with little notice.
Information contacts: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 826-7341; Joe Miller, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-6066; John Easterbrooks, Region 3 Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330