July 29, 2011
July 29, 2011
Triploid rainbow trout retention within mainstem Columbia River above Brewster, WA will be allowed starting August 1, 2011
Action: Anglers will be able to retain triploid rainbow trout in the mainstem Columbia River from Highway 173 Bridge in Brewster to Highway 17 Bridge in Bridgeport, beginning Aug. 1, 2011through Aug. 31, 2011.
Rule: Daily limit four triploid rainbow trout. Minimum size 12 inches. All steelhead must be released (steelhead may not be completely removed from the water).
Effective dates and locations: Aug. 1, 2011 through Aug. 31, 2011 on the mainstem Columbia River from the Highway 173 Bridge in Brewster to the Highway 17 Bridge in Bridgeport
Species affected: Triploid rainbow trout
Reason for action: A large number of net pen reared triploid rainbow trout raised at upstream facilities on Rufus Woods Reservoir have recently escaped downstream into the Wells pool area below Chief Joseph Dam. Removal of these fish is necessary to help reduce the incidence of competition and/or predation with juvenile ESA-listed anadromous species downstream.
Important angler note: This special season is structured in an area and during a time period when impacts to ESA-listed steelhead should be minimal. However, it is the angler’s responsibility to be able to correctly identify a triploid rainbow from a steelhead. The triploid fishery may close at any time and on short notice if it is determined that steelhead are being incorrectly identified as triploid rainbow trout. Signs will be posted at public boat launches denoting the visual differences between a steelhead and triploid rainbow trout.
Information contact: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, Twisp, (509) 997-0316; Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, Ephrata, (509) 754-4624
Triploid rainbow trout retention within mainstem Columbia River above Brewster, WA will be allowed starting August 1, 2011
Action: Anglers will be able to retain triploid rainbow trout in the mainstem Columbia River from Highway 173 Bridge in Brewster to Highway 17 Bridge in Bridgeport, beginning Aug. 1, 2011through Aug. 31, 2011.
Rule: Daily limit four triploid rainbow trout. Minimum size 12 inches. All steelhead must be released (steelhead may not be completely removed from the water).
Effective dates and locations: Aug. 1, 2011 through Aug. 31, 2011 on the mainstem Columbia River from the Highway 173 Bridge in Brewster to the Highway 17 Bridge in Bridgeport
Species affected: Triploid rainbow trout
Reason for action: A large number of net pen reared triploid rainbow trout raised at upstream facilities on Rufus Woods Reservoir have recently escaped downstream into the Wells pool area below Chief Joseph Dam. Removal of these fish is necessary to help reduce the incidence of competition and/or predation with juvenile ESA-listed anadromous species downstream.
Important angler note: This special season is structured in an area and during a time period when impacts to ESA-listed steelhead should be minimal. However, it is the angler’s responsibility to be able to correctly identify a triploid rainbow from a steelhead. The triploid fishery may close at any time and on short notice if it is determined that steelhead are being incorrectly identified as triploid rainbow trout. Signs will be posted at public boat launches denoting the visual differences between a steelhead and triploid rainbow trout.
Information contact: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, Twisp, (509) 997-0316; Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, Ephrata, (509) 754-4624