January 6, 2012
Action: Close the Skagit River system to fishing.
Species affected: All game fish.
Locations and effective dates:
- Skagit River mainstem: From mouth to Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
- Skagit River: From the Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to the mouth of the Cascade River will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 16, 2012.
- Skagit River: From the mouth of the Cascade River to Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
- Sauk River: From mouth to Whitechuck River will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
- Cascade River: From mouth to Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 16, 2012.
- Cascade River: From Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge upstream to headwaters will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
Reasons for action: The 2011-2012 forecast of wild steelhead returning to the Skagit River system is well below the spawning goal. These closures will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.
Other information: Rules re-opening fisheries in the Skagit River basin will be listed in the 2012/2013 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet.
Information Contact: Brett Barkdull, District 14 Fish Biologist, (360) 466-4345, Ext. 270, Brett.Barkdull@dfw.wa.gov; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program Manager, (425) 775-1311, Annette.Hoffmann@dfw.wa.gov
Species affected: All game fish.
Locations and effective dates:
- Skagit River mainstem: From mouth to Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
- Skagit River: From the Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to the mouth of the Cascade River will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 16, 2012.
- Skagit River: From the mouth of the Cascade River to Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
- Sauk River: From mouth to Whitechuck River will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
- Cascade River: From mouth to Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 16, 2012.
- Cascade River: From Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge upstream to headwaters will be closed to all fishing on Feb. 1, 2012.
Reasons for action: The 2011-2012 forecast of wild steelhead returning to the Skagit River system is well below the spawning goal. These closures will reduce the incidental hooking mortalities of wild steelhead. Puget Sound wild steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.
Other information: Rules re-opening fisheries in the Skagit River basin will be listed in the 2012/2013 Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet.
Information Contact: Brett Barkdull, District 14 Fish Biologist, (360) 466-4345, Ext. 270, Brett.Barkdull@dfw.wa.gov; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program Manager, (425) 775-1311, Annette.Hoffmann@dfw.wa.gov