WDFW rescinds drought closures, restrictions on select eastern Washington streams

September 11, 2015

September 11, 2015

WDFW rescinds drought closures, restrictions
on select eastern Washington streams

Actions: Remove drought closures and/or "hoot owl" fishing rules.

Effective date: Sept. 16, 2015

Locations:

Region 1

Remove 2 p.m. to midnight "hoot owl" restrictions:

Walla Walla River (Walla Walla Co.) from McDonald Road Bridge to Oregon State boundary.

Mill Creek (Walla Walla Co.) from Bennington Dam to state line.

Touchet River (Columbia/Walla Walla Co.) from mouth to the confluence of the North and South forks.

North Fork Touchet River from mouth to Spangler Creek.

North Fork Touchet River above Spangler Creek.

Tucannon River (Columbia/Garfield Co.) from Highway 12 Bridge to Cow Camp Bridge.

Spokane River (Spokane/Lincoln Co.) from upstream Boundary at Plese Flats Day Use Area to Idaho State boundary.

Spokane River tributaries, including Little Spokane River and tributaries (Spokane/Pend Oreille/Stevens Co.) from State Route 25 Bridge upstream to Monroe Street Dam.

Sullivan Creek and all tributaries (Pend Oreille Co.) from mouth to headwaters.

Remove fishing closures:

South Fork Touchet River from mouth to Griffen Fork and above Griffen Fork.

Wolf Fork Touchet River from mouth to Coates Creek and Robinson Fork.

Asotin Creek and tributaries (Asotin Co.) from mouth to headwaters.

Kettle River and all tributaries (Ferry Co.) from Barstow Bridge to headwaters, all portions contained within the United States.

Region 2

Remove 2 p.m. to midnight "hoot owl" restrictions:

Methow River (Okanogan Co.) from Gold Creek upstream to Foghorn Dam (1 mile upstream of Winthrop).

Species affected: Adult spring chinook and rearing juvenile Steelhead in Southeast Washington streams. Trout, native non-game fish and other gamefish species are present in all referenced streams.

Reason for action: Streams have returned to near normal seasonal temperatures. Previously these streams were closed or put under "hoot owl" restrictions due to exceptionally low seasonal flows and elevated water temperatures.
Continued monitoring of these streams will occur and restrictions or closures of streams may be forthcoming for waters in eastern Washington if low flows and unseasonably warm temperatures arise in the near future.

Check the fishing hotline at 360-902-2500 or the webpage at https: https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/rules all freshwater.j

Information Contact: Chris Donley Region 1 Fish Program Manager (509) 892- 1001 ext. 307; Jeff Korth Region 2 Fish Program Manager (509) 754-4624.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.