March 17, 2003
Action: The Ringold area bank fishery will open for hatchery steelhead.
Effective date: April 1 through April 15, 2003.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead.
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (in Franklin County north of Pasco) from the WDFW markers 1/4 mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers a half-mile upstream of Spring Creek (hatchery outlet). Only the hatchery side (east bank) of the river is open - bank fishing only.
Reason for action: A significant number of hatchery-origin steelhead from the 2002/2003 run remain in the Columbia River near the Ringold Spring Rearing Facility.
Other information: Wild steelhead release rule in effect. Anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery-origin (adipose or ventral fin-clipped and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin) steelhead. Two (2) fish daily limit; 20-inch minimum size. Anglers must release unharmed all wild steelhead. With the exception of the Ringold area bank fishery, fishing for hatchery steelhead in the lower Hanford Reach from the Highway 395 bridge in Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers closes March 31.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 fish biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima)
Effective date: April 1 through April 15, 2003.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead.
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (in Franklin County north of Pasco) from the WDFW markers 1/4 mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers a half-mile upstream of Spring Creek (hatchery outlet). Only the hatchery side (east bank) of the river is open - bank fishing only.
Reason for action: A significant number of hatchery-origin steelhead from the 2002/2003 run remain in the Columbia River near the Ringold Spring Rearing Facility.
Other information: Wild steelhead release rule in effect. Anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery-origin (adipose or ventral fin-clipped and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin) steelhead. Two (2) fish daily limit; 20-inch minimum size. Anglers must release unharmed all wild steelhead. With the exception of the Ringold area bank fishery, fishing for hatchery steelhead in the lower Hanford Reach from the Highway 395 bridge in Pasco to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers closes March 31.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 fish biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima)