Commission to decide on species classifications and whether to open the Chelan River to catch-and-release fishing

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide on a variety of topics at a virtual meeting on Friday, Oct. 7, and hold a special wildlife committee meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Commissioners will decide whether to open a previously closed section of the Chelan River to fishing, whether to down-list the Washington white pelican from threatened to sensitive, and whether to classify the Cascade red fox as threatened in Washington state.

In addition, commissioners will receive a briefing on the Shared Stewardship program that establishes a framework for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to work with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service toward mutual goals to respond to increasing challenges facing communities, landscapes, and natural resources across the state. The partnership aims to work across boundaries on ecological restoration, conserving fish and wildlife, providing sustainable recreation, building and maintaining sustainable infrastructure, and supporting healthy communities.

On Oct. 13, the Wildlife Committee will meet to discuss the approach to Game Management Plan planning.

The Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 meetings start at 8 a.m. The meetings will be held online and there will not be an in-person option to attend. See the Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings web page for the full meeting agendas and how to tune in online. There will not be an open public comment portion of either meeting.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.