July 17, 2015
July 17, 2015
Select Yakima Basin tributaries to close to
fishing for game fish due to drought
Actions: Partially or completely close current seasons for game fish in select areas to reduce drought-related injury and/or mortality.
Effective date: July 18, 2015, until further notice
Species affected: All game fish (trout, whitefish, etc.)
Locations:
1) Ahtanum Creek, including North and Middle Forks: Closed
2) Naches River from Tieton River to Bumping River/Little Naches River: Closed 2:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
3) Rattlesnake Creek: Closed 2:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
4) Little Naches River: Closed
5) Teanaway River, including West, Middle and North Forks: Closed
Reason for action: Afternoon water temperatures in Yakima Basin rivers and creeks are approaching the upper limit for survival of trout and salmon. Most of the above waters do not benefit from cold water releases from the Bureau of Reclamation storage reservoirs. These select waters receive significant summer fishing effort that will subject hooked fish to handling stress, injury or death directly related to elevated water temperature combined with record low instream flow conditions.
Information contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330.
Select Yakima Basin tributaries to close to
fishing for game fish due to drought
Actions: Partially or completely close current seasons for game fish in select areas to reduce drought-related injury and/or mortality.
Effective date: July 18, 2015, until further notice
Species affected: All game fish (trout, whitefish, etc.)
Locations:
1) Ahtanum Creek, including North and Middle Forks: Closed
2) Naches River from Tieton River to Bumping River/Little Naches River: Closed 2:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
3) Rattlesnake Creek: Closed 2:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
4) Little Naches River: Closed
5) Teanaway River, including West, Middle and North Forks: Closed
Reason for action: Afternoon water temperatures in Yakima Basin rivers and creeks are approaching the upper limit for survival of trout and salmon. Most of the above waters do not benefit from cold water releases from the Bureau of Reclamation storage reservoirs. These select waters receive significant summer fishing effort that will subject hooked fish to handling stress, injury or death directly related to elevated water temperature combined with record low instream flow conditions.
Information contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330.