1999 Sport Catch Report

The Washington State Sport Catch Report was first published in 1967. The report originally provided salmon catch estimates which were and still are based on data from catch record cards (punch cards). Beginning in 1975, marine fish sport harvest estimates were reported in the sport catch report. In 1976, shellfish sport harvest was added. Marine fish and intertidal shellfish sport harvest estimates are based on field and creel surveys. In 1994, steelhead sport harvest estimates, from catch record cards, were added to the report. Now, catch record card data are collected for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Dungeness crab and halibut and supplemented with field or creel survey data or telephone surveys where and when possible to improve recreational harvest estimate accuracy. The sport harvest estimates for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, marine fish and shellfish are produced at varying times of each year. For this reason, coupled with budget and staffing constraints, the 1999 edition of the Washington State Sport Catch Report is being published in August 2002.

January 1, 1999, a new licensing structure was implemented which changed the fishing season regulations and licenses issued. Licenses and catch record cards were issued which were valid from April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000. Historically salmon, sturgeon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish estimates were made on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Steelhead estimates were summarized from May 1 of one year through April 30 of the next year to better capture the results of steelhead "run years", which typically span two calendar years. When comparing sport harvest estimate tables from past years to 1999 please notice that the 1999 reported harvest totals reflect the above change in the license structure.

SPORT LICENSES AND CATCH RECORD CARDS

In 1999, the following licenses and catch record cards were required to fish in Washington:

• A saltwater license was required for resident anglers 15 years of age and over, and for all nonresident anglers. This license allowed the holder to fish for any fish existing in saltwater. This license was available in resident annual, resident senior (ages 70 and over), non-resident annual and two-consecutive-day formats. In addition, a free catch record card was required of all anglers of all ages to fish for salmon, steelhead, for halibut in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and for sturgeon in the Columbia River, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and all tributaries of these three systems.
• A freshwater license was required for resident anglers 15 years of age and over, and for all nonresident anglers, to fish for any fish species existing in freshwater. This license was available in annual, and two day formats. A free catch record card was also required of anglers of all ages to fish for salmon, steelhead and for sturgeon in Columbia River, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and all tributaries of these three systems.
• A shellfish/seaweed license was required for resident and non-resident harvesters 15 years of age and older. This license allowed the holder to fish for crab, gooseneck barnacles, mussels, octopus, scallops, oysters, razor clams, sea cucumbers, softshell and hardshell clams, squid and seaweed. Unlike salmon, sturgeon and steelhead, catch record cards were not issued with shellfish licenses since field sampling and creel surveys were used to estimate total sport shellfish catch.
• A combination license was required for resident and non-resident harvesters 15 years of age and older to participate in all three of the above fishing activities.

Table 1 shows license sales from January 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000, based on a direct count of sales. Tables 2, 3 and 4 show the estimated number of salmon, sturgeon and steelhead catch record cards issued. Note that the number of catch record cards issued shown in these tables are estimated from the catch record card databases, therefore cannot be directly compared to the license sales number. These numbers cannot be compared since anglers under 15 and over 70 are required to obtain a catch record card but not a license. Also, not all dealers return their catch record card stubs, nor do all anglers return their catch record cards, therefore, correction factors are applied.

METHODS

Sport harvest estimates are made in Washington State using various methods. These include catch record cards for: salmon and steelhead statewide, sturgeon in the Columbia River, Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay and halibut in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Estimates from catch records cards are available six months to one year after the end of the season. Creel, telephone interviews and mail surveys are carried out for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, halibut, and shellfish in areas where management requires more timely estimates. Creel surveys consist of checking anglers who are exiting the fishery and asking specific questions about catch and effort. The creel survey estimates for some species and areas are substituted for catch record card estimates (this is noted in the tables). The methods used produce estimates of sport harvest which have some level of uncertainty. This uncertainty, or variance, is estimated and expressed with confidence levels which are not provided in this report. These variance estimates are available upon request.

OCEAN CATCH DATA

Sport catch data from coastal areas 1 - 4 were reported using �"port sampling” (creel survey) catch estimates. Such estimates were derived by monitoring daily landings at four coastal ports: Ilwaco, Westport, La Push, and Neah Bay. Catch is reported in the area where the fish was caught and not the area where it was landed.

STATISTICAL MONTHS AND STATISTICAL WEEKS

Some catch data (i.e. salmon and bottomfish) are reported using statistical months or statistical weeks. Statistical weeks (defined as Monday-Sunday) are consecutively numbered weeks beginning on January 1st and continuing through week 53 or 54 December 31st. The first and last weeks of any year usually contain less than 7 days. Statistical months are made up of a set number of statistical weeks which approximate calendar months but do not coincide with calendar month start and end dates. For example, in 2000, the statistical month of January begins on January 1st and ends January 30th and the statistical month of February starts on January 31st and ends February 27th. Since some data are reported using statistical months, as opposed to calendar months, some catch may be reported during what appears to be a closed period.

SALMON

Annual sport salmon catch estimates for 1964 through 1999 are shown in Table 5. Between January 1, 1999, and March 31, 2000, a total of 146,706 salmon were caught in marine areas, plus an additional 92,607 salmon in freshwater. The marine totals by species, as shown in Table 6, were: 48,273 chinook; 69,409 coho; 2,819 chum; 25,988 pink; 190 jacks; and 27 sockeye. Freshwater species breakdowns show: 29,195 chinook; 37,038 coho; 4,835 chum; 11,303 pink; 139 sockeye; 10,036 jacks (all species combined); and 61 unknown salmon species. Catch record cards are used to estimate sport salmon catch in marine and freshwater areas with some exceptions. In marine areas, creel survey estimates were substituted for the catch record card estimates in ocean areas 1- 4 (excluding area 2.1 Willapa Bay and area 2.2 Grays Harbor), and in area 5 during August 01-September 30. Area 5 creel survey results are provided in Table 24. In freshwater areas, creel survey estimates were substituted for the catch record card estimates in the Lower Columbia River February - October, Klickitat River April - May, Little White Salmon River in May, and the Wind River May - June. All other estimates are from catch record cards.

STURGEON

There are two species of sturgeon present in Washington state: the green sturgeon Acipenser medirostris and the white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. Both species are anadromous and spawn in large river systems. Green sturgeon spend most of their lives in the marine environment and are not readily caught in Washington sport fisheries. It is believed they do not spawn in any of the Washington river systems although they are seasonally abundant in Washington coastal bays and estuaries. White sturgeon migrate great distances in the ocean as well but, unlike green sturgeon, are able to complete their life cycle in freshwater. White sturgeon are readily caught in sport fisheries and are popular as a game fighting fish and are considered by many as a gourmet fare. They are the largest freshwater fish in North America with historical accounts of individuals approaching 20 feet in length and 1 ton in weight. Sturgeon subsist on a variety of foods including Columbia River smelt, anchovies, lamprey eels, clams, shad, and salmon carcasses. They are known for their longevity with individuals sometimes living over 100 years. White sturgeon are also known for their delayed maturation with males reaching sexual maturity at about 15 years of age (~5 feet in length) and females at about 23 years of age (~6 feet in length). White sturgeon spawn throughout the Columbia River basin, although populations farther upstream are generally not as healthy as those living closer to the ocean. They spawn in the spring and early summer months in the mainstem Columbia River in areas where water velocities are highest. This reliance on high velocity, free-flowing river reaches for spawning is largely responsible for the decreased population abundance and productivity farther upstream in the Columbia River basin where hydroelectric development has affected sturgeon populations.

The distribution of sturgeon harvest and the amount of restriction on sturgeon harvest within the Columbia River basin generally reflects the relative health and productivity of these sturgeon populations. Sturgeon harvest management relies on extensive research to provide an understanding of the population dynamics and the factors limiting productivity of specific sturgeon populations within the Columbia River. Abundance estimates and population simulation models are used to set long term sustainable harvest limits for the most heavily exploited populations. Management goals are based on allowing enough fish to survive harvest to replenish the older-aged spawning population. The most frequently used sport harvest management strategies are population specific harvest quotas, slot limits, daily bag limits, and annual possession limits for sturgeon populations that can sustain a harvest. Harvest management responsibilities in the Columbia River are jointly shared by the states of Washington, Oregon and the four Columbia River treaty tribes (Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Nez Perce) in those river reaches where there is joint jurisdiction. Specifically, Washington and Oregon share management responsibility from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to a point approximately 14 miles upstream of McNary Dam and, by policy directive, adopt concurrent regulations for fisheries in those areas. Washington, Oregon and the four Columbia River treaty tribes coordinate sturgeon management in the three reservoirs between Bonneville and McNary dams through the Sturgeon Management Task Force, which is comprised of technical and policy representatives from each agency and tribe.

The white sturgeon population in the lower Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam is the healthiest in the species’ range. Consequently, most of the sturgeon catch and effort in Washington waters occurs in this river reach. In 1999, Washington and Oregon managed for a catch quota of 53,840 white sturgeon in the lower Columbia sport fishery. By July of 1999, managers had evaluated new information on population size and reduced the quota to 40,000 fish.

Sport regulations for this fishery included a 42-60 inch legal size slot, a one fish daily bag limit allowing anglers to continue to catch and release after retaining their one sturgeon, and an annual bag limit of 10 sturgeon per angler. The lower Columbia sport retention fishery remained open for the full 12 months and the actual combined white sturgeon catch for Washington and Oregon anglers in the lower Columbia fishery was 40,500. This season, the area from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam was closed from May 1 through June 30 to boats. This closure allowed the sturgeon to spawn without the additional pressure of potential harvest.

The three lowermost reservoirs in the Columbia River between Bonneville and McNary dams are intensively managed under the auspices of the Sturgeon Management Task Force (SMTF). Sport regulations in Bonneville Reservoir were the same as those in the lower Columbia River except for the harvest season, which was scheduled from January 1 through June 30. The annual sport harvest guideline for white sturgeon in Bonneville pool was 1,520. This guideline was projected to be reached by April 16 resulting in the states prohibiting retention from April 17 through December 31. The resulting harvest for 1999 was 1,236 in Bonneville Reservoir.

Sport regulations in The Dalles Reservoir included a 48-60 inch legal size slot, a one fish daily bag limit allowing anglers to continue to catch and release after retaining their one sturgeon, and an annual bag limit of 10 sturgeon per angler. The harvest season was set to run from January 1 through June 30 with an annual harvest guideline of 600-800. The guideline was projected to be reached by June 11 resulting in the states prohibiting retention from June 12 through December 31. The resulting harvest for 1999 was 694 in The Dalles Reservoir.

Sport regulations in the John Day Reservoir were the same as those in The Dalles Reservoir. The fishing season was also the same with an annual harvest guideline of 560. As of June 30 the harvest guideline had not been reached prompting managers to issue an emergency extension of the season. This guideline was projected to be reached by November 22 resulting in the states prohibiting retention from November 23 through December 31. The resulting harvest for 1999 was 422 in the John Day reservoir.

The reservoir sport fisheries upstream from McNary Dam operated under the same sport regulations as The Dalles and John Day reservoirs (48-60 inches, 1 fish daily bag limit), with the exception of Lower Granite Reservoir on the Snake River and the Columbia River and its tributaries upstream from Priest Rapids Dam to the U.S./Canada border where sturgeon retention was prohibited year round. The fishing season for the areas allowed retention year round with the exception of the area from Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers to the Vernita Bridge. This area was open for retention of sturgeon from June 16 through October 22.

Outside the Columbia River basin, there are relatively productive sturgeon fisheries in most of Washington’s coastal bays and estuaries. Most notable are the sturgeon fisheries in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, including the Chehalis River system. White sturgeon caught in Washington’s coastal areas are thought to originate from the lower Columbia River based on tag recoveries from those fisheries. Sport regulations for these fisheries match those in the lower Columbia.

Total sport harvest for 1999 catch areas recorded, based on creel surveys and catch record card returns was 27,795 fish. Of this total 25,891 white sturgeon and 15 green sturgeon came from the Columbia River system (Table 29). Another 374 white sturgeon were harvested in the Snake River up to Lower Granite Dam, above which all sturgeon were required to be released.

Other areas for which sturgeon harvest is reported are: Willapa Bay 578 white, 5 green and 14 unknown. Grays Harbor 855 white, 38 green, 25 unknown sturgeon. For monthly catch information see Table 29.

STEELHEAD

Harvest estimates for sport caught summer and winter steelhead are derived from a random sample of catch record cards from anglers throughout the state and creel surveys for steelhead in the lower Quinault River and Cook Creek. Steelhead caught during the months of May through October are �"summer-runs” designated as SSH. Steelhead caught from November through April are �"winter-runs” designated by WSH with the exception of steelhead caught above Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, where they are considered �"summer-runs” year round, because of run and spawn timing. Table 33 presents steelhead sport harvest estimates for the 1999-2000 season geographically by stream and river system. Monthly estimate totals are given for marked (fish with clipped adipose or ventral fins) and unmarked (fish with intact adipose and ventral fins) steelhead.

MARINE FISH

Marine fish are those species of fish which live their entire lives in salt water. There are four general groups of marine fish for management purposes: 1) bottomfish, which are species such as rockfish, lingcod and most species of sole and flounder; 2) forage fish, which are small, schooling fish such as herring and smelt; 3) tunas and mackerels; 4) Pacific halibut.

The recreational catch of bottomfish and halibut in ocean waters (Catch Areas 1- 4) is estimated from marine surveys (Table 37 and 38). The estimates are made for each of the four main coastal fishing areas: Ilwaco, Westport, LaPush and Neah Bay.

The Puget Sound (Catch Areas 5-13) catch of bottomfish, excluding halibut, is estimated using a combination of two surveys: a creel survey of anglers to determine the catch rate and species composition and the salmon catch record card system to determine total fishing effort. It is important to note that an estimate of the bottomfish catch in Puget Sound is possible only when salmon fishing is open. Any bottomfish harvest in areas and times when salmon fishing is closed is excluded from these estimates. The totals shown on Table 39 are underestimates of the true catch, which is likely to be considerably higher.

The halibut catch in Puget Sound is estimated using a special survey of halibut catch record card holders. All persons fishing for halibut in Puget Sound Areas 5-13 are required to obtain a free halibut catch record card and record each halibut they catch. At the end of the halibut season, a subsample of card holders is telephoned and asked to report their annual catch of halibut. This number is expanded to estimate the total halibut catch in Puget Sound. Due to the nature of this system, no estimate of halibut catch by catch record area is made and only the Puget Sound total is given. The recreational catch of forage fish is not routinely monitored and no harvest estimate is available.

SHELLFISH

Puget Sound recreational clam and oyster harvest estimates are shown in Table 40. Harvest totals for Manila and native littleneck clams, butter clams, cockles, softshell clams, horse clams, geoducks and oysters are shown for 27 areas. Estimates show 246,853 sport harvester trips gathered 701,086 total pounds of clams, and 902,009 oysters in 1999.

In the spring of 1999, razor clamming was prohibited by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) due to significantly high levels of Domoic Acid. Domoic Acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by a microscopic marine diatom called Nitzshia pungens. Razor clams feeding on Nitzshia pungens may concentrate the toxin and become toxic to humans.

Short notice for emergency closures or cancellations due to marine toxins are a result of the specific sampling protocol established by DOH. The goal to have a resource safe for human consumption requires sampling no more than 7 days before the proposed opening by WDFW. Every effort is made to expedite the sample transport and analysis. There are still the limitations of low tide availability before the opening and the fact that it takes approximately 48 hours from the time the clams are harvested until the results can be announced. There is also the time required to use mass media to report any closure. New methods are being looked at to possibly expand these time periods and still have a resource safe to eat.

The Hood Canal sport shrimp fishery harvest is reported in Table 41. A total of 71,762 pounds of shrimp were caught in 16,767 pots. The sport crab pot fishery in the Puget Sound areas are summarized in Table 42. A total of 180,300 pot days produced an estimated harvest of 167,107 Dungeness crab.