Learn about warmwater fisheries at June 12 meeting in Moses Lake

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and members of the Central Washington Fisheries Advisory Committee will host a public meeting June 12 in Moses Lake to share information about warmwater fisheries management under the state's new warmwater enhancement program funded by a new $5 warmwater surcharge.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Frontier Junior High School, 517 W. 3rd St. in Moses Lake.

WDFW director Bern Shanks will address agency management of warmwater fish species under the 1996 state legislation that established a fund through a $5 license surcharge on bass, walleye, channel catfish, crappie, and tiger musky.

Committee, will talk about the legislative intent of that measure, known as Substitute Senate Bill 5159.

WDFW warmwater program manager Bill Zook will cover current and future spending of the new fund. WDFW eastside hatcheries manager John Kerwin will give a status report on the Ringold Springs Warmwater Hatchery. Other WDFW fish managers from the local region will present information about historical warmwater fish management in the Columbia Basin, new initiatives and Moses Lake fish survey results.

Central Washington Fisheries Advisory Committee members Rod Meseberg and Ron Sawyer will moderate the panel of presenters.