March 31, 2005
Action: Modifying the Ringold Area Bank fishery to allow for the retention of all marked, hatchery-origin steelhead.
Effective date: April 1 through April 15, 2005
Species affected: Hatchery Steelhead
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to the Ringold Springs Rearing Facility from WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold wasteway outlet to WDFW markers ½ mile upstream of Spring Creek. Only the hatchery side of the river is open. Only bank fishing is allowed.
Reason for action: Surplus hatchery steelhead are expected to return to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility and harvest of these fish will not impact upper Columbia River wild steelhead recovery. Steelhead destined for the Upper Columbia River have cleared this area and there is no need for the requirement that only fish with both adipose and ventral fin clips may be harvested. Hatchery steelhead externally marked with a disk tag may also be harvested.
Other information: Anglers are only permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. There is a two fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size, and all wild steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.
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, 2005
Species affected: Hatchery Steelhead
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to the Ringold Springs Rearing Facility from WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold wasteway outlet to WDFW markers ½ mile upstream of Spring Creek. Only the hatchery side of the river is open. Only bank fishing is allowed.
Reason for action: Surplus hatchery steelhead are expected to return to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility and harvest of these fish will not impact upper Columbia River wild steelhead recovery. Steelhead destined for the Upper Columbia River have cleared this area and there is no need for the requirement that only fish with both adipose and ventral fin clips may be harvested. Hatchery steelhead externally marked with a disk tag may also be harvested.
Other information: Anglers are only permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. There is a two fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size, and all wild steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).