09-18-2008, 11:10 AM
Action: Close Methow River to all fishing.
Effective Dates: Sept. 18 through Sept. 30, 2008
Species affected: All gamefish, including trout, steelhead and salmon.
Location: The Methow River from the Lower Burma Road Bridge to Foghorn Dam (1 mile upstream of Winthrop).
Other information: Other areas of the Methow River will also remain closed as indicated within the current sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Reason for action: The maximum number of steelhead encounters, which are set by WDFW's permit with NOAA Fisheries, have been reached. The ESA Section 10 Permit 1554 covers the next 10 years and addresses the incidental take of listed species separately for each fishery in order to accommodate variation in the run strength of species year to year. The increasing presence of steelhead in the last week, coupled with increasing angler efforts on the Methow River increased the number of steelhead encounters and thus necessitated early closure to remain within incidental take limits set by NOAA Fisheries.
Information contacts: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, 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 fishing seasons 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 (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Effective Dates: Sept. 18 through Sept. 30, 2008
Species affected: All gamefish, including trout, steelhead and salmon.
Location: The Methow River from the Lower Burma Road Bridge to Foghorn Dam (1 mile upstream of Winthrop).
Other information: Other areas of the Methow River will also remain closed as indicated within the current sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Reason for action: The maximum number of steelhead encounters, which are set by WDFW's permit with NOAA Fisheries, have been reached. The ESA Section 10 Permit 1554 covers the next 10 years and addresses the incidental take of listed species separately for each fishery in order to accommodate variation in the run strength of species year to year. The increasing presence of steelhead in the last week, coupled with increasing angler efforts on the Methow River increased the number of steelhead encounters and thus necessitated early closure to remain within incidental take limits set by NOAA Fisheries.
Information contacts: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, 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 fishing seasons 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 (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.